Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Resource Science/Studies]]> Outlining the concept of bioregionalism as being about living relationships between humans and the natural environment, the author proposes that one of the most sustainable ways to express these relationships is through literature or oral narrative (bioregional narrative). Such literature includes written literature in the form of letters, journals, poems etc. as well as oral stories passed down from generation to generation and is based on the narrator's personal identification with his/her home place. The paper presents an explanation of the concept of bioregional narrative and moves on to a summary of the evolution of Canadian literature and more specifically, the evolution of Haliburton County narratives from the early settlement period through the twentieth century.

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Farming 
Food Systems]]> A history of agriculture in Haliburton County, gained from both secondary and primary research, is outlined. Findings are discussed with regard to types of farming found, physical limitations imposed by the land itself, variations on conventional farming, and suggestions for possible future directions. A number of graphs complete the project.]]> Within the stated definition of bioregionalism, the paper concentrates on the aspects of food production and the capabilities of the land to support agriculture within the Provisional County of Haliburton. Coming out of the author's conversations with farmers Dwayne Wruth and Godfry Tyler, the historical roots of agriculture under the Province of Canada's Free Land Grant policy are explored leading up to present-day mixed farming in the area. The landscape of the Highlands with the predominance of the Precambrian Shield, abundant waterways, and rocky nature is presented as the backdrop to the evolution of agriculture in the area. Conditions leading to changes in farming and the general decline in the area are outlined. The report concludes with suggestions for further research on the topic.

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]>
Similarly those that demand ownership of the land and deny access to other humans are not contributing to the complex interactions that are formed with these natural landscapes. This issue is examined through case studies and examples.]]> Host contact: Maher, Terry]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]> ]]>
This paper describes the concepts of land stewardship and landowner contact programs before outlining the structure, terms of reference, objectives, and programs of the Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council. Issues of public perception, future direction possibilities, and the relationship with the Ministry of Natural Resources are presented.]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]>