About us
Truecology specializes in ecological education and restoration.
Our work includes: training on topics including habitat restoration, pollinator species and native plants, land assessments and biodiversity reports, hands-on ecological restoration, the creation of educational resources, and more! We also work closely with our friends at Creator's Garden to support the medicine, seed and food sovereignty work they do with First Nation communities in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
Check out our services below, to learn more.
Services
With an extensive background in ecology, environmental education, and program management, our combination of skills and experience allows us to deliver professional and environmentally-conscious services to fit your needs. We are based in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) and do work across Ontario. If you are interested in our work, please reach out!
Native plant expertise
From native plant garden design and implementation, to land assessments and targeted reintroduction of native species, we can help! We have completed numerous native planting projects in cities and First Nation communities across Ontario.
Educational resources
We have co-created educational materials ranging from an Anishinaabemowin Bird Names guide, ecological signage for municipalities, and curriculum-connected content for school boards.
Training
We specialize in training related to habitat restoration, pollinator species, birds, and native plants. Past and ongoing projects include municipal-level pollinator training, Anishinaabe bird knowledge talks as part of the Creator's Garden - Birds team, and project-specific training on native plant garden implementation and maintenance.
Consultation and reporting
If your community, municipality or organization requires trusted consultation in any of our areas of expertise, we are here to help. We also offer customized reports to support project deliverables, outcomes, and the ongoing success of the projects we undertake.
Who we are
Junaid Khan, Lead Ecologist
Clara Luke, Operations Manager
Clara Luke, Operations Manager
Junaid has worked as an ecologist for over 12 years, on issues of invasive species, plastic pollution, habitat revitalization, insect conservation, and bird education.
Junaid arrived in Canada in 2005 from Karachi, Pakistan. After living in Ontario for almost 15 years, he recognized he did not speak a word of any indigenous language of th
Junaid has worked as an ecologist for over 12 years, on issues of invasive species, plastic pollution, habitat revitalization, insect conservation, and bird education.
Junaid arrived in Canada in 2005 from Karachi, Pakistan. After living in Ontario for almost 15 years, he recognized he did not speak a word of any indigenous language of the land he now called home. Through the learning of Anishinaabemowin since 2018, Junaid now works to utilize his ecological knowledge to support language revitalization, land sovereignty and capacity building in FNMI communities across Anishinaabe Aki.
Clara Luke, Operations Manager
Clara Luke, Operations Manager
Clara Luke, Operations Manager
Clara has spent over 15 years honing her skills and knowledge in environmental education, program management, and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
With a love for food and healthy landscapes, her experiences include co-founding a local food café, managing several urban food projects in Toronto over 10 years, and completing a Mast
Clara has spent over 15 years honing her skills and knowledge in environmental education, program management, and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
With a love for food and healthy landscapes, her experiences include co-founding a local food café, managing several urban food projects in Toronto over 10 years, and completing a Master's degree studying the most effective ways to increase healthy food access in communities. Having worked with EcoSchools Canada for 6 years, including the organization's transition to a national program, Clara now looks to bring her expertise to Truecology.
Publications & media
Canadian National Observer Article
Let Junaid Shahzad Khan Help you Work on Your Relationship With the Land
CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Appearances
Language of the Land
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.6790479
They're not Indigenous — but they're learning Indigenous languages
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/indigenous-language-learning-non-indigenous-students-1.6785924
As biodiversity declines, researchers race to name millions of species unknown to science
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/discover-of-unidentified-species-classification-1.7462726
World Bee Day 2022
Anishinaabemowin Ecology Talks
Bird Names in Anishinaabemowin with Creators Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osUBUXf5Fjs
Learning Circle #2: Decolonizing Bird Knowledge with Creators Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrllhWJHlRo
Interview with CKUW 95.9 in Winnipeg
Publications
Khan, J. S., Provencher, J. F., Forbes, M. R., Mallory, M. L., Lebarbenchon, C., & McCoy, K. D. (2019). Parasites of seabirds: A survey of effects and ecological implications. Advances in Marine Biology, 82, 1-50.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7172769/pdf/main.pdf
Bowles E, Khan JS, Menzies A, Ford A, McGregor D, Popp J (2023) Perspectives on if, when and how to braid Indigenous knowledges and Western science in biodiversity and environmental research, monitoring, and management: a report from the “Weaving Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science towards conservation and management of wildlife and the environment” project.
https://weavingknowledges.ca/weaving/weaving-in-a-good-way
Bowles E, Henri D, Provencher JF, Alexander SM, Love NE, Steel J, Chelick C, Khan JS, Taylor JJ, Zacharuk B, Wilcox A, Hartman Daview O, McGregor D, Chiblow S, Cooke SJ, Ford AT, Popp J. (In revision). Practices for braiding Indigenous knowledges and Western sciences for research and monitoring of biodiversity in Canada. Ecology and Evolution.
Bowles, E, Lukawiecki, J, Menzies, A, Chiblow, S, Ford, AT, Khan, JS, McGregor, D, and Popp, J.N. (In revision). Cultural Keystone Species: Connecting Land, Water, and community through an Indigenous lens. Ecology and Society.
Provencher, J., Liboiron, M, Borrelle, S.B., Bond, A., Rochman, C., Lavers, J., Avery-Gomm, S., Yamashita, R., Ryan, P., Lusher, A., Hammer, S., Bradshaw, H., Khan, J., Mallory, M., 2019. A Horizon Scan of research priorities to inform policies aimed at reducing the harm of plastic pollution to biota environment. Science of the Total Environment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720328989
Gratitude to Our Partners
Shukriya, miinwaa gichi miigwech agakina agawooyaa
Creator's Garden, RAMA First Nation, Sheshegwaning First Nation, Helen Roy, Keepers of the Circle, Caldwell First Nation, Shawanaga First Nation, Henvey Inlet First Nation, ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency, Minoomin Learning, City of Toronto, Municipality of Halton Hills, Municipality of York Region, Toronto District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Upper Grand District School Board, and more!