Striking Balance

Join us on a journey across Canada as we look at our nation's breathtaking biosphere reserves in this eight-part cinematic documentary series. We'll explore some of the amazing places that make up our 18 UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves and what makes them special, from geological, ecological, historical and cultural perspectives. Nearly two million people live in these reserves, and we'll meet the passionate residents on a quest to find a balance between economic prosperity and environmental protection. We'll also investigate the reserves as living laboratories by joining academics, citizen scientists and indigenous knowledge-keepers in their research to create a more sustainable future for both Canadians and the environments in which we live.

Seasons

1. Long Point

Air Date: 2016-10-04

Ontario's Long Point, the world's longest freshwater sand spit, is threatened by an invasive plant, phragmites.

2. Clayoquot Sound

Air Date: 2016-10-11

British Columbia communities look to the past to learn how the environment, cultures and economies can thrive.

3. Mont Saint-Hilaire

Air Date: 2016-10-18

The old-growth forest and pristine lake of Quebec's Mont Saint-Hilaire are cherished by nearby communities.

4. Bras d'Or

Air Date: 2016-10-25

On the Bras d'Or Lake in Cape Breton Island, oyster farming was seen as a sustainable alternative to working in coal and steel.

5. Georgian Bay

Air Date: 2016-11-01

Residents struggle to mitigate the impact of cottagers and a new highway on the region's endangered species.

6. Redberry Lake

Air Date: 2016-11-08

Students conduct social and scientific experiments at Redberry, a salt lake at the heart of a shrinking Saskatchewan community.

7. Fundy

Air Date: 2016-11-15

The Inner Bay of Fundy's population of Atlantic salmon is teetering on the edge of extinction, but people are determined to bring it back.

8. Waterton

Air Date: 2016-11-22

Grizzlies are increasingly protected in Alberta, challenging the ranchers of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve to find new ways to coexist with them.

1. Tsa Tue Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-10-04

Troubled by a history of uranium mining, the Sahtu Dene of Great Bear Lake create North America's largest biosphere reserve to protect its pristine waters for all of humanity.

2. Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-10-11

Quebec's Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve prides itself on working with industry toward a sustainable future. But their dream is put to the test when their biggest project is jeopardized by North America's largest hydro-electricity reservoir.

3. Niagara Escarpment

Air Date: 2020-10-17

In Ontario's Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, scientists, climbers and even quarry companies come up with innovative ways to co-exist with, restore and enhance the natural world.

4. Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-10-25

After suffering through repeated, tsunami-like floods north of Manitoba's Riding Mountain, the Von Bargens lead the call to restore nature's flood protection systems.

5. Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-11-01

Following unprecedented droughts, the people of BC's Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region begin their quest to restore the water balance.

6. Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-11-08

The yellow perch, a key indicator of the health of Quebec's Lac Saint-Pierre, is in serious trouble. But this little fish is inspiring the big change needed to restore the lake to its former glory.

7. Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-11-15

A little-known, but remarkable region of wetlands, called the Beaver Hills, are at risk of being swallowed by a growing Edmonton. As home to the world's most important herd of buffalo, people here are uniting to keep the Hills intact.

8. Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-11-22

The heart of eastern North America's last, great forest corridor is threatened by development, but the people of Ontario's Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve are determined to keep it intact.

9. Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve

Air Date: 2020-11-29

Under siege from invasive species, the people of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve innovate new ways to hold back, eradicate, and even eat the invaders.

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Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

2016-10-04

Episodes

17 (2 seasons)

Status

Returning Series

Cast

Jim Cuddy

Narrator