OESA

Endangered by the 49th Parallel: How political boundaries inhibit effective conservation

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Some Canadian scientists advocate for conservation efforts to focus on species unique to this country, while others argue for a more global focus.

Key Points: 
  • Some Canadian scientists advocate for conservation efforts to focus on species unique to this country, while others argue for a more global focus.
  • However, most ignore the fact that the U.S. – Canada border creates endangered species.
  • We must consider the global context when designing Canadian endangered species, and biodiversity, protections.

Time for a chat about Chats

  • Take the Yellow-breasted Chat, a charismatic warbler listed as Endangered under the (Canadian) federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).
  • The Canadian fragment of the Southern Mountain subspecies survives in a handful of sites in B.C.
  • According to the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List, though, the global population is around 17 million across North America.


The federal Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) says the Southern Mountain subspecies “occurs at the northern edge of its range in Canada” as a peripheral to the huge American core population. In other words, the Yellow-breasted Chat is listed as endangered in Canada because, in 1846, the British accepted that the border with the U.S. should lie at the 49th parallel.

Endangered, or not?

  • The question then is, should conservation efforts be dedicated to tiny Canadian populations of otherwise healthy species?
  • Elder Richard Armstrong’s traditional story illuminates why the Chat, which his people call xʷaʔɬqʷiləm’ (whaa-th-quil lem), matters to the transboundary Nsyilxcən speaking Peoples.
  • The First Nation’s special care for the Chat, in turn, makes it more likely that COSEWIC’s listing will help.
  • Fourteen of those were, like the chat, ‘Least Concern’ globally, while just one bat species, Myotis lucifugus, was universally assessed as endangered.
  • Another study scored 729 COSEWIC-listed species, subspecies and populations to assess the global context of these conservation measures.

Overcoming jurisdictional rarity

  • I live in one of the skinny fragments of shrub steppe that snake up from the Columbia plateau in the U.S. through Osoyoos to Kamloops — an area which seems purpose-built for jurisdictional rarity.
  • Take the burrowing owl, a ground-nesting raptor with a vexed facial expression.
  • Meanwhile, the IUCN’s range map for the burrowing owl (Least Concern), stretches from Alberta to Argentina.
  • Public information about endangered species dodges jurisdictional rarity, leaving decisions to scientists and bureaucrats.

Reframing the conversation

  • Scientists may feel protective towards Canadian populations they know and love, but citizens won’t want limited resources wasted on conservation of un-endangered species.
  • Scientific and political processes gummed up with peripheral species make it less likely that critically imperilled species will be saved.
  • Where good reasons exist to protect peripheral species, those arguments should be public and open to debate.
  • is considering, should require that peripheral species be identified transparently, using agreed definitions, as ‘endangered in B.C.’, or ‘threatened in Canada’.


Greg Garrard's research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, grant no. 435-2020-1220. Sarah Raymond's research visit to UBC Okanagan was funded by UKRI-MITACS Globalink.

The Shyft Group Appoints John Dunn as President, Fleet Vehicles and Services

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 14, 2022

NOVI, Mich., Dec. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF), the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, today named industry veteran John Dunn as President, Fleet Vehicles and Services (FVS), effective in January 2023.

Key Points: 
  • NOVI, Mich., Dec. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF), the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, today named industry veteran John Dunn as President, Fleet Vehicles and Services (FVS), effective in January 2023.
  • The Shyft Group is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets.
  • The Shyft Group is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles & Services™ and Shyft Specialty Vehicles™.
  • The Shyft Group and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, and first-to-market innovation.

Automotive Technology Sales Leader Bob Ligon Named Chief Revenue Officer at Cerence

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 1, 2022

BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC), AI for a world in motion, today announced it has named Bob Ligon, an accomplished and tenured automotive technology sales executive, as the companys Chief Revenue Officer.

Key Points: 
  • BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC), AI for a world in motion, today announced it has named Bob Ligon, an accomplished and tenured automotive technology sales executive, as the companys Chief Revenue Officer.
  • In this role, Mr. Ligon will be responsible for Cerences global sales, sales engineering, and marketing organizations, leading the companys go-to-market strategy and driving pipeline growth.
  • He will succeed Egon Jungheim, current Chief Revenue Officer, upon Mr. Jungheims retirement in December.
  • Mr. Ligon joins Cerence following a more than 10-year tenure at ZF Group, a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales.

Actify Aligns with Automotive Industry Associations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 24, 2022

DETROIT, Oct. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Actify, the leading provider of visualization and program management solutions for the automotive supply chain, is proud to announce that it has joined automotive industry associations Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA), the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) in recognition of the need for collaboration to navigate the industry transition to electric vehicles.

Key Points: 
  • Company has joined the Society of Automotive Analysts, OESA and AIAG to demonstrate commitment to supporting automotive supplier community
    DETROIT, Oct. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Actify, the leading provider of visualization and program management solutions for the automotive supply chain, is proud to announce that it has joined automotive industry associations Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA), the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) in recognition of the need for collaboration to navigate the industry transition to electric vehicles.
  • At a time of unprecedented business challenges and transition across the mobility sector, Actify recognizes the heightened value of the role played by these associations.
  • Actify will be an exhibitor at the OESA Annual Automotive Supplier Conference in Novi, MI on November 7th.
  • Actify serves a global base of more than 2,000 companies of whom approximately 85% are suppliers to the auto industry.

A Long-Standing Commitment to Diverse Suppliers and Communities

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 22, 2022

Continuing a tradition now in its 23rd year, Stellantis today virtually hosted its annual supplier diversity MatchMaker program, furthering the company's long-standing commitment to building a diverse supply base and growing wealth for diverse business owners and communities.

Key Points: 
  • Continuing a tradition now in its 23rd year, Stellantis today virtually hosted its annual supplier diversity MatchMaker program, furthering the company's long-standing commitment to building a diverse supply base and growing wealth for diverse business owners and communities.
  • The opening ceremony kicked off with remarks from Stellantis executives and Julie Fream, president and CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
  • In 2021, its North America operations spent more than $7 billion with 200-plus diverse suppliers.
  • During the MatchMaker event, Stellantis also recognized suppliers that have demonstrated leadership, passion and commitment in building robust supplier diversity programs.

AIAG Welcomes Lucid Motors’ Surinder S. Bedi and ZF Group’s Nichole Felton to Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 30, 2022

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) today announced the appointment of Surinder S. Bedi and Nichole Felton to its board of directors.

Key Points: 
  • SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) today announced the appointment of Surinder S. Bedi and Nichole Felton to its board of directors.
  • Bedi is currently at Lucid Motors, as the Senior Strategist and Head of Advanced Product Quality.
  • Felton joins the AIAG Board of Directors from the ZF Group, having held positions globally in supplier quality, purchasing, and supply chain management.
  • AIAG and its board of directors are happy to add the broad expertise of both Felton and Bedi to the team, Pohlman explains.

Blackford Capital Appoints Paul I. Doyle as Managing Partner

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 3, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackford Capital today announced that Operating Partner Paul I. Doyle has been appointed to the position of Managing Partner at the firm effective April 18, 2022. Martin Stein will continue to lead the firm as Founder and Managing Director. Blackford is a leading private equity firm that acquires and builds founder and family-owned companies in the lower middle market with a focus on manufacturing, industrial and distribution companies.

Key Points: 
  • GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackford Capital today announced that Operating Partner Paul I. Doyle has been appointed to the position of Managing Partner at the firm effective April 18, 2022.
  • Mr. Doyle has been with Blackford Capital since 2014 as an Operating Partner.
  • "As our firm continues its high growth trajectory, we are delighted to add Paul to our senior leadership team as Managing Partner," said Martin Stein, CEO of Blackford Capital.
  • Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Cooper Standard Names Quinn Vice President, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Cooper Standard (NYSE: CPS) today announced the appointment of Shannon B. Quinn to vice president, chief commercial and strategy officer.

Key Points: 
  • Cooper Standard (NYSE: CPS) today announced the appointment of Shannon B. Quinn to vice president, chief commercial and strategy officer.
  • In her new role, Quinn will be responsible for the global commercial group and corporate strategy, and will report to Patrick Clark, senior vice president and managing director - global automotive.
  • Based at the Company's world headquarters in Northville, Quinn will also join Cooper Standard's Global Leadership Team.
  • Prior to joining Cooper Standard, Quinn served as president, consumer original equipment (OE) North America for Bridgestone Corp. from 2017 to 2022.

Amsted Automotive Group Recognized as a Founding Member of OESA at the 23rd Annual Automotive Supplier Conference: Beyond Disruption

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 2, 2021

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Amsted Automotive Group received the first-ever Legacy Award from the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) as a founding member of the association.

Key Points: 
  • SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Amsted Automotive Group received the first-ever Legacy Award from the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) as a founding member of the association.
  • The award was presented during the 23rd Annual Automotive Supplier Conference: Beyond Disruption event held November 8, 2021, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.
  • Amsted Automotive Group was one of thirteen companies to receive the honor.
  • In 2021, Amsted Automotive Group brought together Means Industries Inc., SMW Manufacturing and Burgess-Norton Mfg.

Top Automotive Suppliers' ESG Reports Focus Mostly on Environment and Little on Governance, New Study Shows

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Bianchi PR conducted the Automotive Suppliers and ESG study this summer to provide insights to help automotive supplier communicators assist their CFOs and investor relations executives in enhancing their ESG reports.

Key Points: 
  • Bianchi PR conducted the Automotive Suppliers and ESG study this summer to provide insights to help automotive supplier communicators assist their CFOs and investor relations executives in enhancing their ESG reports.
  • "Yet, of the 200 specific topics covered in the supplier ESG reports we recently reviewed, approximately 1/3 related to the environment while only 3% related to corporate governance and compliance.
  • Bianchi PR conducted its study in May/June of 2021 by looking at the ESG reports for the top 25 North American auto OEM suppliers, based on the most recent Automotive News ranking.
  • For more information about Bianchi PR's Automotive Suppliers and ESG Study, visit the firm's blog ( https://www.bianchipr.com/blog ) or contact the agency to schedule a discussion.