Le Tour de Grand Pré: An Exploration of an UNESCO Heritage Landscape through Avian Ecology

Abstract

Every year, millions of birds migrate long distances to find areas with plentiful food reserves and habitat to nest and rear their young. However, human development is rapidly diminishing bird habitat worldwide. This thesis will explore using ecological architecture to harmoniously bring birds and people together without further deteriorating sensitive ecological systems. The health of bird populations can be used to measure the overall health of our environment. They are also beautiful species to observe and bring humans closer to nature. Thus, the goal of this thesis is to examine the relationship between human activity and nature, not as distinct categories, but rather as mutually impactful. Many projects focus on creating or restoring a "wilderness," a place that is free from human impact. Here, I instead try to build within the landscape of the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, where humans and wildlife have coexisted for centuries.