Genres
Striking Balance
Overview
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.
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (2016)
No overview available.
8 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Long Point
2016-10-04Ontario's Long Point, the world's longest freshwater sand spit, is threatened by an invasive plant, phragmites.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 2: Clayoquot Sound
2016-10-11British Columbia communities look to the past to learn how the environment, cultures and economies can thrive.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: Mont Saint-Hilaire
2016-10-18The old-growth forest and pristine lake of Quebec's Mont Saint-Hilaire are cherished by nearby communities.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: Bras d'Or
2016-10-25On the Bras d'Or Lake in Cape Breton Island, oyster farming was seen as a sustainable alternative to working in coal and steel.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: Georgian Bay
2016-11-01Residents struggle to mitigate the impact of cottagers and a new highway on the region's endangered species.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: Redberry Lake
2016-11-08Students conduct social and scientific experiments at Redberry, a salt lake at the heart of a shrinking Saskatchewan community.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 7: Fundy
2016-11-15The Inner Bay of Fundy's population of Atlantic salmon is teetering on the edge of extinction, but people are determined to bring it back.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 8: Waterton
2016-11-22Grizzlies are increasingly protected in Alberta, challenging the ranchers of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve to find new ways to coexist with them.
Runtime: N/A minSeason 2 (2020)
No overview available.
9 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Tsa Tue Biosphere Reserve
2020-10-04Troubled 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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 2: Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve
2020-10-11Quebec'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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: Niagara Escarpment
2020-10-17In 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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve
2020-10-25After 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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve
2020-11-01Following unprecedented droughts, the people of BC's Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region begin their quest to restore the water balance.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve
2020-11-08The 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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 7: Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve
2020-11-15A 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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 8: Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
2020-11-22The 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.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 9: Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
2020-11-29Under siege from invasive species, the people of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve innovate new ways to hold back, eradicate, and even eat the invaders.
Runtime: N/A min