Protecting What Sustains Us - Ontario Biodiversity Summit · Biodiversity is life and we depend upon it in every moment of our lives and yet it is under unprecedented threat at all

May 19 to 22, 2015Marriott Gateway on the Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

Protecting What Sustains Us

2015Ontario Biodiversity Summit

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ONTARIO BIODIVERSIT Y COUNCIL MEMBERS

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Steve Hounsell, Chair

Jon K. Grant, Past Chair

Jason Laronde, Union of Ontario Indians www.anishinabek.ca

Bill Mauro, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry www.ontario.ca/biodiversity

Lynette Mader, Ducks Unlimited Canada www.ducks.ca

Kathleen Padulo, Chiefs of Ontario www.chiefs-of-ontario.org

Steven Price, Bird Studies Canada www.bsc-eoc.org

Barb Reuber, Ontario Power Generation www.opg.com

Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture www.ofa.on.ca

Cynthia Robinson, Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association www.ossga.com

Kim Gavine, Conservation Ontario www.conservation-ontario.on.ca

Karen Morrison, EcoHealth Ontario www.ecohealth-ontario.ca

Terry Rees, Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations www.foca.on.ca

Dawn Sucee, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters www.ofah.org

Caroline Schultz, Ontario Nature www.ontarionature.org

Mark Stabb, Nature Conservancy of Canada www.natureconservancy.ca

Lesley Hymers, Ontario Mining Association www.oma.on.ca

Rob Keen, Forests Ontario www.forestsontario.ca

Tom Whillans, Trent University www.trentu.ca

Suzanne Barrett, Chair – Stewardship Network of Ontario www.stewardshipnetwork.ca

Dave Ireland, Chair – Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network www.biodiversityeducation.ca & Royal Ontario Museum www.rom.on.ca

Joe Vaccaro, Ontario Homebuilders’ Association www.ohba.ca

Megan Meaney, ICLEI Canada www.icleicanada.org

Eric Miller, Ontario Network on Ecosystem Services www.onecosystemservices.ca

Leslie Adams, Ontario Environment Network www.oen.ca

Deborah Thompson, Ontario Land Trust Alliance www.olta.ca

Dilhari Fernando, Invasive Species Centre www.invasivespeciescentre.ca

Thea Silver, Ontario Trillium Foundation www.otf.ca

Janet McKay, Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition www.greeninfrastructureontario.org

On behalf of the Ontario Biodiversity Council, welcome to Ontario’s first Biodiversity Summit and the launch of the State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015 report.

Members of the Ontario Biodiversity Council have been planning the Summit for over a year and I believe they have done a great job. I hope you will agree there is something here for everyone, whether you are interested in learning more about biodiversity and its state in our province, or whether you are a seasoned professional wishing to contribute to positive conservation outcomes.

You will hear from leading thinkers and experts on what biodiversity is, what is threatening it, and its importance to our health, our economy and prosperity and even to our global climate. You will learn about what we are doing to both celebrate biodiversity and to conserve it. You will also learn about how you can participate in conserving biodiversity at your home, workplace or in your community and how you can join a global effort to “protect what sustains us,” the essence of mainstreaming biodiversity across society.

Biodiversity is life and we depend upon it in every moment of our lives and yet it is under unprecedented threat at all levels. The Ontario Biodiversity Council has a plan, Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, which if implemented will do much to conserve biodiversity, both for nature’s sake and for our sake. Please join us as we reconnect with nature and build some much needed momentum to protect what sustains us.

Sincerely,

Steve Hounsell Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council

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Field Trip 1: Stewardship in Action: What Landowners are DoingField Trip 2: Conserving Biodiversity: Managing Protected Areas

PROGRAM AT A GL ANCETu e s d a y, M a y 1 9

We d n e s d a y, M a y 2 0

T h u r s d a y, M a y 2 1

Fr i d a y, M a y 2 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l D a y f o r B i o l o g i ca l D i ve r s i t y Ac t i v i t i e s

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

7:30 am – 8:15 am

7:30 am – 8:30 am

7:15 am - 8:15 am

10:00 am – 10:30 am

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

3:30 pm – 4:15 pm

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

8:15 am – 2:00 pm

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

8:30 am – 9:10 am

9:10 am – 10:00 am

10:00 am – 10:30 am

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

7:15 pm

8:45 pm

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

8:30 am – 10:00 am

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

12:00 am – 12:30 pm

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Registration Check-in

Registration Desk Open


Breakfast Session: Opportunities to Engage Business in Biodiversity [must be signed up in advance to participate]

Networking Break - Visit Exhibits and Posters

Luncheon and Keynote Address, Biomimicry: The Next Big Thing - How Nature is Inspiring Radical Innovation, Jay Harman, PAX Scientific

Closing Plenary Session and wrap-up with Baba Brinkman

Beers with BEAN

Welcome ReceptionRelease of the State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015 report

Welcomes and Opening Remarks

Keynote Presentation: Saving Earth in the Age of Man, M. Sanjayan, Executive Vice-President and Senior Scientist, Conservation International


Luncheon and Keynote Address, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC, OOnt, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario


Poster Session and Exhibits Reception

Celebrating Biodiversity Dinner

Video message from Ed Gillespie, Co-Founder, Futerra Sustainability Communications

Rap Guide to Wilderness, Baba Brinkman

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent S essions



Plenary Panel: Climate Change and the 6th Great Extinction – Dr. Blair Feltmate, Intact Chair, Climate Change, University of Waterloo

Visit Exhibits and Posters

Plenary Panel: Putting Nature on the Balance Sheet – Toby Heaps, CEO and Co-Founder, Corporate Knights

Engage People

Engage People

Engage People

Engage People

State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015

Dave Ireland, Managing Director, Centre for Biodiversity, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Biodiversity

Council Reporting Sub-Committee

Business and Biodiversity

Environmental Storytelling: Where Art Meets Science

Citizen Science 3.0


Dan Kraus, Weston Conservation Scientist, Nature Conservancy

of Canada, Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

Law & Policy: What Works

Innovative Solutions: Voluntary Mechanisms

Economics for a Living Planet


Graham Bryan, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

Greening our Landscapes:

What and Where

The Big Picture: Bridging the Urban/Rural

Divide

Stewardship Works! How Landowners, Businesses and Agencies Collaborate for

Biodiversity


Terese McIntosh, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry,

Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

Improving and Sharing Biodiversity Knowledge

Think Tank: Ontario’s Big Biodiversity Questions

Using Biodiversity Knowledge to Make Better Decisions

Sustaining Life: Biodiversity As a Foundation for Human

Health and Well-being

Reduce Threats

Reduce Threats

Reduce Threats

Reduce Threats

Enhance Resilience

Enhance Resilience

Enhance Resilience

Enhance Resilience

Improve Knowledge

Improve Knowledge

Improve Knowledge

Improve Knowledge

Workshop

Workshop

Workshop Workshop

Biodiversity and First Nations: We Are Only as Healthy

as Our Environment

Bio-Controls: Introducing Enemies

BiodiverCities: A Municipal Workshop on Conserving, Managing and Promoting

Urban Nature

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 – MORNING7:30 AM – 8:15 AMOakes Foyer

8:30 AM – 10:00 AMOakes Ballroom

10:00 AM – 10:30 AMOakes Ballroom and Foyer

10:30 AM – 12:00 PMOakes Ballroom

Registration Check-in

Coffee and light refreshments will be served

OPENING PLENARY SESSIONSetting the Stage: Ontario 2115 – Towards an Ecologically Sustainable FutureSteve Hounsell, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council

Video welcome from Dr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity

Networking Break – Visit Exhibits and Posters

Climate Change and the 6th Great Extinction

Climate change is real, irreversible and rapidly becoming a leading threat to biodiversity on a global, national and provincial basis. The panel will explore how to motivate action to alleviate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity by drawing on expertise from at least three perspectives: conservation science, law and politics.

Moderator: Blair Feltmate, Intact Chair, Climate Change Adaptation, University of Waterloo

Panelists:

M. Sanjayan, Executive Vice-President and Senior Scientist, Conservation International

David Estrin, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation

Aaron Freeman, President, Pivot Strategic Consulting

Keynote PresentationSaving Earth in the Age of Man, Dr. M. Sanjayan Executive Vice-President and Senior Scientist, Conservation International

Leading global conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Ontario Biodiversity Summit. Sanjayan is Executive Vice-President and Senior Scientist at Conservation International, and is also a writer, TV Host and Emmy-nominated news contributor. His focus is on the role of conservation in improving human well-being, wildlife and the environment. You can learn more about Sanjayan on his website www.msanjayan.com or follow him on Twitter at @msanjayan.

OPG is a proud partner in many environmental programs and initiatives, like the

Ontario Biodiversity Summit. And with 99.7 per cent of the power we produce free of smog and greenhouse gas-causing emissions, we are just as

dedicated to making Ontario a cleaner and even better place to live, work and play.

@opg

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 – AFTERNOON

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 – EVENING

12:00 PM – 12:30 PMOakes Ballroom and Foyer


7:00 PM – 9:30 PMOakes Ballroom



4:00 PM – 5:00 PM


Visit Exhibits and Posters

Poster Session and Exhibits Reception - Meet the poster presenters to discuss their work

Celebrating Biodiversity Dinner

Luncheon

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONThe Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC, OOnt, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario


Putting Nature on the Balance SheetModerator: Toby Heaps, CEO and Co-Founder of Corporate Knights

Panelists:

Sofia Ahlroth, Policy and Technical Experts Committee, Global Partnership for Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES), World Bank

Robert Smith, Senior Associate, International Institute for Sustainable Development

Engage People Reduce Threats Enhance Resilience Improve Knowledge

Salon A

Branding the Biosphere Reserve: How to Take a Complex Idea and Turn it into a Powerful StoryDanielle D’Silva, Communications Coordinator, Niagara Escarpment Commission

State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015Dave Ireland, Managing Director, Centre for Biodiversity, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015Dan Kraus, Weston Conservation Scientist, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015Graham Bryan, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015Terese McIntosh, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Biodiversity Council Reporting Sub-Committee

Hennepin North Hennepin South Peninsula

Rap Guide to WildernessBaba Brinkman, Canadian Rap Artist

Get ready for a fun, entertaining and unconventional ‘hip-hop meets science’ performance by Canadian rap artist, writer, actor and former tree-planter Baba Brinkman. His award-winning and peer-reviewed ‘Rap Guide to Evolution’ is now playing off-Broadway in New York and his recent Rap Guide to Wilderness explores the contributions of wild nature to human happiness. You can learn more about Baba on his website (www.bababrinkman.com).

Video message from Ed Gillespie, Co-Founder, Futerra Sustainability Communications

Ed Gillespie is Co-Founder of Futerra, one of the world’s only communications consultancies to specialise solely in sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. He has shaped and driven the creative direction of Futerra’s work since its foundation 13 years ago. Aside from writing regularly for the Guardian, Ed is a highly sought after public speaker and lecturer, renowned for his memorable and entertaining presentations laced with refreshing humour and wit.

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 – MORNING7:00 AM – 8:30 AMOakes Foyer

7:15 AM – 8:15 AMSalon A

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM


Coffee and light refreshments

Opportunities to Engage Business in Biodiversity Breakfast Session [must be signed up in advance to participate]Speaker: Kevin M. Butt, Regional Environmental Director, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Businesses have a real opportunity to demonstrate leadership in biodiversity conservation that positively impacts the state of Ontario’s biodiversity. In order to maximize this opportunity, mainstreaming biodiversity into decision making at every level of an organization and across all sectors is imperative. This session will focus on building momentum to mainstream biodiversity within business. It will include discussions of international drivers, as well as what works at the local level from both a biodiversity programming and an engaging people perspective. Recognizing the urgency for action, we will not only examine best practices, but also explore critical next steps.

Moderator: Lindsay Parks, Associate Environmental Advisor, Ontario Power Generation

Panelists:

Reg Melanson, Chair, United Nations Global Partnership for Business and Biodiversity and Executive Director, Canadian Business and Biodiversity Council

Margaret O’Gorman, President, Wildlife Habitat Council

Peter Clarke, Business Development & Research, Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS)

John Bayliss, Manager, Environment, Holcim (Canada) Inc.

Beverly Forget, Senior Communications Advisor, Darlington Generating Station, Ontario Power Generation

This session will highlight the characteristics of effective law and policy that produce favourable biodiversity conservation outcomes and solid public support, informing the approaches we should pursue in Ontario. It will highlight examples of legislation and policy from various jurisdictions that have proved effective in reducing threats to biodiversity.

Moderator: Kim Gavine, General Manager, Conservation Ontario

Panelists:

Ian Attridge, Environmental Lawyer and Lands Manager, Kawartha Land Trust

Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director and Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association

Ellen Schwartzel, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

Salon A Engage People: Business and Biodiversity

Hennepin North Reduce Threats: Effective Law and Policy: What’s Working

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 – MORNING8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Maximizing the ecological return for investment efforts is critical, both in terms of what is being protected and restored and where it is located on the landscape. This session will examine the use of visionary regional-scale conservation action plans as context and guidance for protection and restoration activities to both conserve biodiversity and its ecosystem services.

Moderator: Mark Stabb, Central Ontario Program Director, Ontario Region, The Nature Conservancy of Canada

Panelists:

Silvia Strobl, Supervisor, Southern Region Information & Analysis Unit, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Mike Hendren, Executive Director, Kawartha Land Trust

Michelle Kanter, Executive Director, Carolinian Canada Coalition

Dan Kraus, Weston Conservation Scientist, The Nature Conservancy of Canada

Knowledge of biodiversity is essential if we are to make well informed and sound decisions about how to protect and use it sustainably. This session looks at improving the collection and sharing of biodiversity knowledge. The session will include two case studies addressing biodiversity discovery in Ontario’s Far North and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. A panel discussion will discuss issues related to the collection and sharing of biodiversity knowledge including reflections on the Ontario Biodiversity Science Forum paper “Gaps in Knowledge, Information and Expertise Regarding Ontario’s Biodiversity (2008).”

Moderator: Chris Wilson, Research Scientist, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Panelists:

Justina Ray, Executive Director and Senior Scientist, Wildlife Conservation Society

Dean Phoenix, Wildlife Assessment Program Leader, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Nicholas Mandrak, Assistant Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto

Jim MacKenzie, Natural Heritage Information Centre Coordinator, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Co-Chair NatureServe Canada

Jim Schieck, Science Director, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

With the majority of the world’s people now living in cities, it’s time to ask how our urban areas can become more sustainable and more resilient. Part of the answer is by integrating biodiversity considerations into municipal planning and management. This interactive workshop will support municipal practitioners in developing the knowledge and strategies to create a local urban biodiversity action plan.

The highlight of the session is the official launch of the Urban Biodiversity Planning Guidebook, a planning resource designed specifically to help municipalities address the biodiversity issue in a tailored and localized way. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to try out the guidebook and exercises through hands-on training and facilitated group discussions.

Hosts: Megan Meaney, Director, ICLEI Canada and Ewa Jackson, Manager, ICLEI Canada

Hennepin South Enhance Resilience: Greening our Landscapes: What and Where

Peninsula Improve Knowledge: Improving and Sharing Biodiversity Knowledge

Salon B Workshop: BiodiverCities: A Municipal Workshop on Conserving, Managing and Promoting Urban Nature

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 – MORNING10:00 AM – 10:30 AMOakes Ballroom and Foyer

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM


The biodiversity crisis requires urgent attention from everyone, across all sectors. A clear, relevant and motivating message is key to successful communication strategies, and stories are the best medium for the message. Stunning photography, smart multi-media pieces, and great stories will be at the heart of this unique session.

Host: Neil Osborne, Partner, Evermaven; Director, Environmental Visual Communication Program at the Royal Ontario Museum/Fleming College, and Associate Fellow, International League of Conservation Photographers

With: Brennan Caverhill, Faculty, and Yasmin Parodi, program graduate (2013), Environmental Visual Communication

Canada has seen a number of voluntary approaches to limiting environmental impacts emerge in various sectors. A number of these specifically address issues around conserving biodiversity. For industry, this is an approach to obtain a social licence to operate and to gain a market edge where regulatory standards fall short of public expectations. This session will explore how we can achieve net benefit for biodiversity through such voluntary mechanisms and the potential for innovative partnerships amongst industry, farmers, First Nations and conservation organizations.

Moderator: Caroline Schultz, Executive Director, Ontario Nature

Panelists:

Tom Clark, Westwind Forest Stewardship

Nicholas Schulz, Director of Standards, Cornerstone Standards Council

Anne Bell, Director of Conservation and Education, Ontario Nature

Healthy ecosystems sustain healthy people and a healthy economy. This session will examine the need for coordinated efforts that link urban biodiversity strategies with broader regional strategies for achieving healthy watersheds and landscapes. Such coordinated efforts are the key to conserving biodiversity while providing for the ecosystem goods and services upon which we, including our major urban populations, depend.

Moderator: Rob Keen, CEO, Forests Ontario

Panelists:

Ralph Toninger, Manager, Restoration and Environmental Monitoring, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Ken Elliott, Forest Science Specialist, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Barbara Macdonell, Senior Environmental Planner, Windsor Border Initiative Implementation Group, Ministry of Transportation

Megan Meaney, Director, ICLEI Canada

Salon A Engage People: Environmental Storytelling: When Art Meets Science

Hennepin North Reduce Threats: Innovative Solutions: Voluntary Mechanisms

Hennepin South Enhance Resilience: The Big Picture: Bridging the Urban/Rural Divide

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 – MORNING10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

The Big Biodiversity Questions Project began at the end of February 2015; its aim is to identify questions that, if answered, would improve decision-making and biodiversity conservation actions in Ontario. We will present an overview of the project and the process leading up to the think tank. This session will employ a consensus based approach to confirm and refine the questions. It will allow participants the opportunity to actively impact, debate and influence the final list of questions. The session will conclude with next steps and ways to integrate the final report into your current work. This session welcomes all Summit participants including those who have contributed to the project already and those who are new to the process.

Facilitators:

Cath D’amico, LiftOff Interactive

Lisa Hughes, LiftOff Interactive

Mike Bubyn, LiftOff Interactive

Jason Wilkins, Graphic Facilitator

There is growing understanding of the benefits of nature in our lives, but is there a connection between greater biodiversity and increased human health and well-being outcomes? Theories such as biophilia and nature-connectedness tell us about human needs for contact with nature and there is supporting evidence that places with layers of vegetation, flowers, trees and water contribute to improved moods and reduced stress. These benefits apply to urban and rural settings, different cultures and people of all ages.

This workshop will provide participants with new information on ecohealth linkages based on recent literature reviews undertaken by public health units, academia and environmental groups in Ontario. This work explores the ways in which green spaces and vegetation affect human health and well-being as well as climate-related challenges such as urban heat islands and air pollution. Facilitated round-table discussions will explore ways that a focus on biodiversity could help to promote human health in the policies and decision-making of various sectors, from public health and medicine to planning, forestry, parks, watershed management and education. After the Summit, participants will receive a workshop report with highlights of the discussions and identification of priority next steps.

Facilitated by Suzanne Barrett, EcoHealth Ontario; Karen Morrison, Canadian Community of Practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Health; and Aryne Sheppard, David Suzuki Foundation.

Peninsula Improve Knowledge: Think Tank: Big Biodiversity Questions

Salon B Workshop: Sustaining Life: Biodiversity as a Foundation for Human Health and Well-being

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 – AFTERNOON12:00 PM – 2:00 PMOakes Ballroom

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Luncheon

Public participation in biodiversity research, conservation and education programs will help drive positive change in environmental policy. This session will feature leaders in the field of Citizen Science, and provide inspiration for increasing public involvement in your projects.

Moderator: Dave Ireland, Chair, Ontario BioBlitz Programme, Royal Ontario MuseumPanelists:

Scott Loarie, Co-Director, iNaturalist

Julia Phillips, Programme Coordinator, Adopt-A-Pond Wetland Conservation Programme, Toronto Zoo

Emily Rondel, Toronto Projects Coordinator, Bird Studies Canada

Learn about leadership in reducing threats to biodiversity by informing and transforming economic practices. Contribute to a discussion about strategies for the future.

Moderator: Eric Miller, Chair, Ontario Network on Ecosystem Services

Panelists:

Vince Deschamps, Environmental Planner, StantecTatiana Koveshnikova, Ecosystem Services Project Coordinator, Credit Valley Conservation AuthorityAndreas Link, Economics Team Lead, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

One of the key tools to increase the resilience of our landscapes and biodiversity is stewardship. Simply put, stewardship is any activity that protects, restores or enhances the ability of natural ecosystems to flourish and support life. For example, farmers plant windbreaks and control streambank erosion, community groups plant trees, businesses and agencies restore wetlands and other habitats, and homeowners create pollinator gardens. Much of this work relies on the goodwill and sweat equity of citizens, with support from businesses, government agencies and foundations. This session features a panel of stewardship practitioners from different sectors who will debate some of the tough issues facing stewardship and offer innovative solutions to strengthen and broaden efforts to care for nature in Ontario. They will illustrate their proposals with inspiring examples to show what works and motivate further action.

Moderator: Terry Rees, Executive Director, Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations

Panelists:Freeman Boyd, Grey County

Kerry McLaven, Forest Program Manager, Forests Ontario

Pete Birrell, Lead Environmental Officer, St. Catharines Glendale Avenue Plant, General Motors of Canada Limited

Joanne Jeffery, Senior Manager, Stewardship, Outreach, Education and Volunteerism, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Philip Holst, Vice Chair, Stewardship Oxford

Tony Bull, Member of the Board of Directors, Ontario Woodlot Association

Salon A Engage People: Citizen Science 3.0

Hennepin North Reduce Threats: Economics for a Living Planet

Hennepin South Enhance Resilience: Stewardship Works!

Keynote PresentationBiomimicry, The Next Big Thing: How Nature is Inspiring Radical InnovationJay Harman, President and CEO, PAX Scientific Inc.

Award-winning inventor and biomimetic entrepreneur Jay Harman will be our Thursday lunchtime speaker at the Ontario Biodiversity Summit. Described as a “visionary” and “futurist” by the Science Channel, Jay has taken a hands-on approach to his lifelong fascination with the deep patterns found in nature. Among the first pioneering scientists to make biomimicry -- the science of employing nature in advancing sustainable technology -- a cornerstone of modern and future engineering, his companies (PAX Scientific, PAX Water Technologies, PAX Pure) design more efficient industrial equipment based on Jay’s revolutionary concepts. Today Jay is one of the most sought-after experts on biomimicry. Learn more about Jay’s work and biomimicry at www.thesharkspaintbrush.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 – AFTERNOON

This session looks at using biodiversity knowledge to support decision making. It includes an exploration of evidence-based conservation, a tool to integrate scientific evidence into planning and decision-making. This session will also bring in the human dimension examining how to communicate science to the public and how behavioural change research can be used to achieve better biodiversity outcomes. The session will conclude with a discussion about the potential of big data and technology to raise awareness and understanding of complex conservation challenges among decision makers whether they are citizens and consumers, policy makers or business leaders.

Moderator: Lynette Mader, Manager of Provincial Operations - Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Panelists:

Lisa Donaldson, Research Biologist, Department of Biology, Carleton University

Jim Schaefer, Professor, Department of Biology, Trent University

Karen Akerlof, Research Assistant Professor , Centre for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University

Andrew Hill, Chief Science Officer, CartoDB

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Peninsula Improve Knowledge: Using Biodiversity Knowledge to Make Better Decisions

Salon B Workshop: Bio-Controls: Introducing Enemies

Niagara Room Workshop: Biodiversity and First Nations: We Are Only as Healthy as Our Environment

There is widespread concern about the ongoing spread of invasive plants and animals, often due to their undesirable impacts towards our environment, economy, and society. As a consequence, significant investments have been made for the prevention of future invasions, and the management of existing invasive species populations. Biological control is a method that has been used effectively to reestablish ecological interactions through the introduction of host-specific organisms. Biological control can be a very successful and cost effective tool for controlling established invasive species populations. This tool when successful, can offer a long term management solution over a large geographic area.

This workshop will provide participants with up-to-date information on how potential biological controls are identified, the Canadian regulatory approval process for introducing control agents, bio control success stories, and current research. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in discussions with our expert panel towards the end of the workshop.

Moderator: Jeremy Downe, Invasive Species Policy and Program Advisor, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Panelists:

Dilhari Fernando, Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre

Donna MacKenzie, Lead Biologist, Ontario Beetles

Sandy Smith, Professor and Dean, University of Toronto

Taylor Scarr, Provincial Forest Entomologist, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

First Nations have instilled in them our place on Turtle Island. We are taught how to interact with our environment, to understand and to celebrate the great and diverse environment the creator has provided for us. Where is western science making full use of the accumulative knowledge handed down for millennia?

Moderator: Paul General, Wildlife Officer, Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council

Panelists:

Dan Pujdak, Environment Policy Analyst, Chiefs of Ontario

Caron Smith, Land Use Officer, Lands and Resources Department, Six Nations Elected Council

Larry McDermott, Executive Director, Plenty Canada


CLOSING PLENARY SESSIONYoung Leaders for Biodiversity Youth Implementation Plan

Summit Wrap-upBaba Brinkman, Canadian Rap Artist

Concluding RemarksSteve Hounsell, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 - INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSIT Y

YOUNG LEADERS FOR BIODIVERSIT Y

Young Leaders for Biodiversity is a unique opportunity for the next generation of Ontario’s conservation leaders to have their say in the future of our province’s biodiversity.

Delegates will attend the Ontario Biodiversity Summit, learn about the state of Ontario’s biodiversity and the steps being taken to protect it.

Young Leader participants will have access to concurrent sessions, panel discussions, workshops, networking and mentoring opportunities, and a field trip to help provide them with the skills, knowledge and connections they need to continue their efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Field TripsStewardship in Action: What Landowners Are DoingOrganized by Stewardship Network of Ontario and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Friday May 22, 2015, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm (assemble at 8:15 am for departure at 8:30 am sharp!)

Join us to discover real-life examples of many of the themes of the Biodiversity Summit – from increasing resilience to climate change, to protecting ecosystem services and reaching out to businesses and citizens. Meet the landowners and community partners who are making a difference on farms, gardens and woodlots by restoring streams, planting trees, tackling invasives, creating pollinator habitats and regenerating wetlands. We will learn that ten years of experience implementing a watershed plan for One Mile Creek Watershed is reaping rewards – restoring biodiversity and improving local environmental health. The field trip will begin in Niagara Falls and proceed north along the Niagara Parkway to Niagara on the Lake. It will conclude with lunch and introductory winetasting at Southbrook Vineyard. Handouts will be provided as illustrations of outreach materials that really work.

Conserving Biodiversity: Managing Protected AreasOrganizers: Niagara Parks Commission, Landcare Niagara, Trees Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy of Canada

Friday May 22, 2015, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Explore the Niagara Region’s local biodiversity on walking tours with knowledgeable experts. On these guided hikes, you will learn about unique landscape features like the Niagara Glen and Lathrop Nature Reserve that provide habitat to many species, including species at risk. Properties on our tour are publically owned and you will meet the staff managing these reserves and learn about the stewardship successes and challenges they have faced. Celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity by gaining an understanding of how to conserve biodiversity, both by protecting the landscape features that exist and restoring what was lost.

The Young Leaders for Biodiversity organizers gratefully acknowledge our partners and their support for Ontario’s next generation of conservationists.

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YOUNG LEADERS FOR BIODIVERSIT Y

Tuesday, May 193:00 PM - 7:00 PM Registration Open

7:00 PM - 7:30 PMWelcome Reception Release of the State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015 report

Wednesday, May 20 Morning7:30 AM - 8:15 AM Registration Desk Open

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Oakes BallroomSummit Opening Plenary Session

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Oakes Ballroom and FoyerNetworking Break - Visit Exhibits and Posters

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Oakes BallroomClimate Change and the 6th Great Extinction

Wednesday, May 20 Afternoon12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Oakes Ballroom and FoyerVisit Exhibits and Posters

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Oakes BallroomLuncheon

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC, OOnt, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Niagara RoomBiodiversity Through the Lenses: Local, National, International

SPEAKERS:

Freedom-Kai Phillips, Legal Research Fellow, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

Dayna Noltie, Student, Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario

Jessica Tarka, Student, University of Guelph

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Oakes Ballroom and FoyerNetworking Break – Visit Exhibits and Posters

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Niagara RoomBiodiversity Through the Lenses: Local, National, International (cont’d)

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM Niagara RoomIntroduction to Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy and State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015 Report

SPEAKER:

Steve Hounsell, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Oakes Ballroom and FoyerPoster Session and Exhibits Reception - Meet the poster presenters to discuss their work

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Oakes BallroomCelebrating Biodiversity Dinner

7:15 PM Video message from Ed Gillespie, Co-Founder, Futerra Sustainability Communications

8:45 PMRap Guide to Wilderness, Baba Brinkman

Thursday, May 21 Morning8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Niagara RoomEmerging Issues in Biodiversity

SPEAKERS:

Dave Ireland, Managing Director, Centre for Biodiversity Discovery at the ROM

Scott MacIvor, PhD Candidate and Instructor at York University

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Niagara RoomEcoArt: Where Creativity Meets Biodiversity

SPEAKER:

Les Luxemburger, Director, Art on the Go

Ontario RoomGeospatial Niagara

SPEAKER:

Darren Platakis, Executive Director, Geospatial Niagara

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Oakes Ballroom and FoyerNetworking Break – Visit Exhibits and Posters

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Niagara RoomBe the Change: How to Build a Green Career

SPEAKERS:

Terri Rutty, Director of Environmental Sustainability, YWCA of Greater Toronto

Leslie Adams, Co-Chair, Ontario Environment Network

Tom Hilditch, President and CEO, Savanta Inc.

Karen Boultbee, Youth Employment Communications Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Alan Unwin, Associate Dean, School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies, Niagara College

Thursday, May 21 Afternoon12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Oakes Ballroom

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONBiomimicry: The Next Big Thing – How Nature is Inspiring Radical InnovationJay Harman, President and CEO, PAX Scientific Inc.

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Milestones RestaurantMentoring Luncheon

MENTORS:

Dave Ireland, Managing Director, Centre for Biodiversity Discovery at the ROM

Leslie Adams, Co-Director, Ontario Environment Network

Scott MacIvor, PhD Candidate, York University

Tom Hilditch, President & CEO, Savanta Inc.

Terri Rutty, Director of Environmental Sustainability, YMCA of Greater Toronto

Alan Unwin, Associate Dean, School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies, Niagara College

Cynthia Robinson, Environment & Education Manager, Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA)

2:00 PM – 3:30 PMParticipate in Summit Concurrent Sessions and Workshops

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Oakes BallroomClosing Plenary Session

3:30 PM – 3:45 PMYoung Leaders for Biodiversity Youth Implementation Plan

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Rodeway Inn Dining RoomYoung Leaders for Biodiversity Dinner

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Salon ABeers with BEAN

Friday, May 228:30 AM – 3:00 PMField Trip to Niagara College(meet in the lobby promptly at 8:20 AM)

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POSTER PRESENTATIONS

The Utility of a Local Scoring and Ranking Approach in Natural Heritage Systems ProtectionSue Hayes, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments at the Landscape ScaleJenny Gleeson, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Using a Conservation Biology Blueprint to Protect Seven Species found in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, Canada

Monica Seidel, Queen’s University

Biodiversity Education in Post-secondary Curricula

Jenn McCallum, Trent University

Plant Complementarity Increases Pollinator Abundance

Simone-Louise E. Yasui, University of Toronto-Scarborough

Baseline Connectivity Mapping for the Settled Landscapes of Southern OntarioSteve Voros, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Genetic Structure and Diversity of American Black Bear in OntarioAgnès Pelletier, University of Winnipeg

A Look at Some of the Plants and Animals in and Adjacent to Swamp Wetland in the Bronte Creek WatershedJacques Paiement, Conservation Halton

Celebrating “Roughly” a Decade of Conservation Success on the Rice Lake Plains!Mark Stabb, The Nature Conservancy of Canada

Morphology, Genetics, and Distribution of Blow Fly Species in Canada

Sarah Langer, Trent University

Listening to lichens: Analyzing the Effects of Urbanization on Lichen Diversity along the Niagara Escarpment Utilizing Citizen Science

Rachel Malyon, Biodiversity Institute, University of Guelph

Biodiversity Genomics: A Study of Restored Costa Rican Dry Forest

Lisa Ledger, University of Guelph

Genetic Structure and Habitat characteristics of Few-flowered Club-rush (Trichophorum planifolium) (Cyperaceae), an Endangered Sedge in Canada

Victoria Nowell, Carleton University

Make a Map: Natural Heritage Areas Mapping Application, Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryKatie Novacek, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

What Affects One, Affects All – Systems-based Approach to Natural Heritage and BiodiversityKelly Weste, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Application of Environmental DNA (eDNA) Methods for Monitoring Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) and the Ambystoma Species Complex in Southern OntarioIan King, Biodiversity Institute, University of Guelph

Forest Health Based Scenario Building as an Accessible Tool for Climate Change Management in Bruce Peninsula National ParkKelly Moores, University of Waterloo

Swallowtail Butterflies Show Positive Edge Responses in a Fragmented LandscapeNusha Keyghobadi, University of Western Ontario

Horse Flies and Deer Flies of the Boreal ForestDavid Beresford, Trent University

When Bad Maps Turn Good: Combining Classification Maps and Bayesian Statistics

Jacky Lee, McGill University

Nutrient Management in Stormwater Infrastructure

Sarah Robbins, Georgian College

Conservation Genetics of Endangered Eastern Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida, in Canada: Investigating Effects of an Invasive Pathogen

Sage Fleming, Trent University

Archiving Long-term Ecological Data in an Open Access Institutional Repository: Why your Kodachrome Slides of your Fieldwork are Worth Saving

Rajbir Ghuman, York University

Time to adapt: Clock Genes, Climate Change and Canada Lynx

Melanie Prentice, Trent University

A Rapid, Non-invasive, Accurate Insect Measuring Method via Digital Image AnalysisDonald Bourne, Trent University

Testing the Diversity-Stability Hypothesis in Dry Forests of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence (GLSL) Region of Ontario

Corinne Arthur, Nipissing University

Changes in Arthropod Composition Across a Forest-field Ecotone

Michelle Binczyk, York University

Biodiversity plans in Ontario’s Business SectorsKristen Potter, Trent University

Using Threshold Indictor Taxa Analysis to Assess the Influence of Elevated Nitrogen Deposition on Plant Community Composition

Kayla Wilkins, Trent University

Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium (HAM): Conserving the Source Data of Southern Ontario’s Plant DiversityNadia Cavallin, Royal Botanical Gardens

The Diversity of Phytoplankton in OntarioMichelle Palmer, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Work to Protect and Conserve Great Lakes BiodiversityJulie Simard, Taylor Phillips and Barbara Mabee, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Indicates student posters

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SUMMIT PARTNER PROFILES

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) envisions a healthy and naturally diversity environment that enables and contributes to sustainable development in Ontario. As such, the Ministry is committed to the conservation of biodiversity and to the associated manage-ment of the province’s natural resources in a sustainable manner. MNRF supports the Ontario Biodiversity Council and works to champion Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, 2011 within the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and broader society. A key organizational goal supporting the long-term vision and mission of MNRF is the maintenance of healthy, resilient ecosystems. The Ministry works with numerous stakeholders and partners to promote stewardship and manage Ontario’s natural resources in a manner that sustains and restores healthy, resilient aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, thereby safeguard human health and quality of life for Ontarians. www.ontario.ca/biodiversity

Ontario Power Generation Ontario Power Generation produces more than half of the electricity that Ontario homes, schools, hospitals and businesses rely on each day. We are committed to ensuring our energy production is reliable, safe and environmentally sustainable for Ontarians today and for the future.

At the forefront of energy technologies, OPG phased out coal generation in 2014, which represents the single largest climate change initiative in North America. Our energy powerhouses - hydro and nuclear - are 99.7 per cent free of greenhouse gas and smog causing emissions.

OPG has partnered with Ontario’s First Nations and Métis communities on hydroelectric projects, including the recently completed Lower Mattagami project in northeast Ontario.

We are currently preparing to refurbish our clean energy powerhouse, the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Slated to start in 2016, the Darlington refurbishment will be one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada.

What We Do

As at Dec. 31, 2014, OPG’s generating portfolio had an in-service capacity of 17,059 megawatts. We own and operate:

· 2 nuclear power stations· 65 hydroelectric power stations on 24 river systems· 2 biomass power stations· 1 thermal power station (and two stations which are currently shut down)· 2 wind power turbines.

Biodiversity Education Awareness Network (BEAN) BEAN is a network of organizations working together to promote an increased awareness and understanding of biodiversity. Made up of members from the formal and non-formal education, the environment and conservation sectors, government and private industry. We are part of the Ontario Biodiversity Council, helping to meet the goals of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy. BEAN inspires and empowers people to value, protect and improve biodiversity by: developing Ontario curriculum-linked resources on biodiversity; supporting International Biodiversity Day events; providing an online calendar of biodiversity and education related events in Ontario, and; assisting others in program development and delivery. BEAN is also proud to be a founding partner of the Ontario Children’s Outdoor Charter; an initiative that promotes getting children outside to discover the wonders of nature. www.biodiversityeducation.ca

Bruce Power Bruce Power’s 2,300-acre site is situated on the shores of Lake Huron and houses the world’s largest operating nuclear facility. With two stations, which each hold four CANDU reactors, the Bruce A and B generating stations produce a combined 6,300 megawatts of car-bon-free, reliable, and low-cost electricity to consumers. The site has dense forests, with trails throughout common use areas to encourage employee wellness and connection with nature. Environmental stewardship in the form of conservation, preservation, resto-ration, and education is an important component in the operation of the Bruce Power site. www.brucepower.com

Invasive Species Centre The Invasive Species Centre is a Canadian non-profit organization that builds partnerships and supports collaborative projects in natural and applied science, policy research, outreach and education to protect Canada’s forests, fields, gardens, waterways and cities from the damaging effects of invasive species. The Centre undertakes its work by connecting stakeholders, knowledge and technology to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species that harm Canada’s environment, economy and society. Founded in Ontario, the Invasive Species Centre addresses priority invasive species issues in the national interest. Visit our family of websites at www.invasivespeciescentre.ca, www.forestinvasives.ca, www.asiancarp.ca.

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Ducks Unlimited Canada Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at www.ducks.ca.

Sustainability Network The Sustainability Network has been helping environmental leaders and nonprofits lead, manage and strategize since 1997. Through organizational development, we help to strengthen the environmental community and make ENGOs across Canada more effective and efficient.

Our programs include:

· Learning Networks where clusters of regional, provincial or subsector ENGO learn together through a series of multi-day retreats over a year or two.

· Customized management training workshops.

· Our Digest, a free monthly compendium of NGO capacity building opportunities and the latest nonprofit management research.

· Occasional speakers and webinars that give environmentalists access to senior thought leaders.

The Sustainability Network is led by founder and Executive Director Paul Bubelis and is housed within the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto.

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation From schoolyard naturalization and energy conservation, to tree plantings and environmental education, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is proud to provide funding to help sustain an incredible array of grassroots environmental programs across the country. In 2014, TD FEF supported over 1,000 projects with $4.9 million in funding. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis, and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated funds environmental projects in the community in which the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit tdfef.com.

Conservation Ontario Founded in 1981 as the Association of Conservation Authorities of Ontario, Conservation Ontario has evolved into a strong and active network comprising 36 Conservation Authorities. While Conservation Authorities ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible management of Ontario’s water, land and natural habitats, the corporate office of Conservation Ontario promotes and champions the issues of important to the “collective” in the areas of policy and programming, funding, and branding/communications.

Forests Ontario Forests Ontario is the voice for our forests. Working to promote a future of healthy forests sustaining healthy people, Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stew-ardship of Ontario’s forests through restoration, education and awareness. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario.

Royal Ontario Museum The Royal Ontario Museum is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Opened in 1914, Canada’s largest museum of natural history and world cultures has six million objects in its collections and galleries showcasing art, archaeology and natural science. The ROM is the largest field research institution in the country, and a world leader in research areas from biodiversity, palaeontology, and earth sciences to archaeology, ethnology and visual culture – originating new information towards a global understanding of historical and modern change in culture and environment. For 24-hour information in English and French, please call 416.586.8000 or visit the ROM’s web site at www.rom.on.ca. Tickets are available online at www.rom.on.ca.

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P&G Canada P&G serves nearly five billion people around the world with its brands. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands including Tide, Bounce, Mr. Clean, Dawn, Swiffer, Bounty, Pampers, Always, Gillette, Olay, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Clairol, Old Spice, Crest, Oral-B and Vicks. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide with a strong heritage founded over 175 years ago in Cincinnati. P&G has been in Canada since 1915 and has manufacturing facilities in Belleville and Brockville Ontario.

P&G’s purpose is to deliver products and services that make everyday life better for people around the world and at home here in Canada. Our opportunity to touch and improve lives comes with a responsibility to do so in a way that preserves the planet and improves the communities in which we live and work. We focus our sustainability efforts on improvements that matter, to make the most meaningful impact we can. We believe most of the sustainability challenges the world faces can be solved with innovation.

View our online Sustainability Report at www.pg.com/sustainability.

Ontario Homebuilders’ Association The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) is the voice of the residential construction industry in Ontario. It is a voluntary association whose primary goal is to positively impact provincial legislative, regulatory and tax policies that affect the industry.

In addition, the OHBA collects, analyzes and distributes information to its members and the general public; promotes professionalism and innovation within the industry; promotes affordability and choice in housing; and provides group benefit plans and other member services.

Our members have identified four key areas as making up OHBA’s Core Businesses. They are:

• government relations (top priority);

• professionalism;

• innovation; and

• Ontario New Home Warranty Program.

Perhaps the best way to think of OHBA is as a network of volunteers (assisted by a small staff ) working in committees to advance industry interests in these Core Business areas. www.ohba.ca

The Ontario Environment Network The Ontario Environment Network (OEN) is a non-profit, non-governmental network serving Ontario’s environmental non-profit, non-governmental community. Ontario has over 700 environmental groups that range from national to neighbourhood-based and focus on a wide range of issues. The OEN seeks to increase awareness of these organizations and encourage discussions about means to protect the environment.

Dufferin Aggregates Dufferin Aggregates, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc., is a leading supplier of aggregates for the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and adjacent municipalities. Dufferin Aggregates operates 21 sites in Ontario and is a key player in the communities where it operates. With its many awards for community relations, resource and environmental management, Dufferin Aggregates has gained regional, national and international recognition as an industry leader.

Holcim (Canada) Inc. is one of the country’s largest vertically integrated building materials and construction companies. With 3,000 employees, we manufacture cement, aggregates and ready-mix concrete and provide construction services to many of Canada’s largest infrastructure projects. Our business divisions include Dufferin Construction, Dufferin Aggregates and Dufferin Concrete in Ontario.

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Greenbelt Foundation The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is a charitable, non-profit grant-making organization working to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, and protect and grow natural features.

Shortly after the Greenbelt’s creation, the Province mandated the Foundation to lead the way in promoting and sustaining the Greenbelt as a beneficial, valuable, and permanent feature that enhances the quality of life for all Ontarians. Together with its grantees, the Foundation champions a vast array of projects and approaches under the banner of one common goal: to make this immense landscape a dynamic and self-sustaining entity, rich with spirit, activity, and economic success.

ICLEI Canada ICLEI is a champion of local governments. We are an international association of local governments that have made a commitment to sustainable development. We promote participatory, long-term strategic planning processes to support local-level sustainability, and have been working with communities on sustainability issues since 1990. ICLEI Canada understands the unique needs of Canada’s diverse communities. We work alongside practitioners in Canada and across the globe on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, sustainability management, green procurement, biodiversity management and community engagement. We deliver engaging projects, creative workshops, modern conferences and extensive capacity building resources. Local action moves the world. Join the movement. www.icleicanada.org

Bird Studies Canada Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is Canada’s leading science-based bird conservation organization. Our mission is to conserve wild birds of Canada through sound science, on-the-ground actions, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy. Volunteers are the heart of BSC and, each year, 30,000 volunteer “Citizen Scientists” across the country contribute to BSC’s monitoring, research, stewardship and conservation programs, such as the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program and Nocturnal Owl Surveys. The information gathered through these efforts is used to identify and prioritize species and habitats of conservation concern and directly impacts conservation and stewardship actions at local, provincial, national and international scales.

Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition The Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition (GIO) is an alliance of organizations working to promote green infrastructure in Ontario. Its members are businesses, local governments, community groups, and not-for-profits from across the province.

GIO’s mission is to bring organizations together to share information and collaborate for improved green infrastructure policies and programs in Ontario.

GIO envisions a future where communities and governments understand the value of natural forms and functions, and invest in their protection and enhancement; a future where green infrastructure is viewed as an essential component of a healthy and sustainable Ontario.

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SUMMIT PARTNERSThe Ontario Biodiversity Council gratefully acknowledges the support received from our partners to help make the 2015 Ontario Biodiversity Summit a success.

Printed on 100% post-consumer waste.

Reducing the Summit’s Footprint

Forests Ontario will plant trees to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2015 Ontario Biodiversity Summit. In addition to reducing the Summit’s carbon footprint, planting trees increases forest cover,

improves water quality, moderates the effects of flooding and drought, prevents erosion and provides habitat for wildlife. Trees are also an important natural economic resource.

For more information visit www.forestsontario.ca.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BIODIVERSIT Y COUNCIL In 2015, the Ontario Biodiversity Council is celebrating its 10th year and so is the province’s first biodiversity strategy. Council was formed in 2005 to lead implementation of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy and to report to the public on progress. Over the past decade, Council has been guided by the notion that the protection of the diversity of life on Earth – of which we are an integral part – requires broad societal consensus and participation. The diverse membership of Council, including conservation and environmental groups, Aboriginal organisations, industry associations, government representatives and others, reaches across Ontario society and sectors to mainstream biodiversity.

Our vision is a future where biodiversity loss is halted and recovery is advanced. People value, protect and enhance biodiversity and the ecosystem services essential for human health and well-being.

The Ontario Biodiversity Council, “Working together to keep Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy alive.”

To learn more about Council, please visit www.ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca

Renewing

Our Commitment

Ontario’sBiodiversity Strategy 20

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Protecting What Sustains Us

Ontario Biodiversity Council

Documents

Protecting What Sustains Us - Ontario Biodiversity Summit · Biodiversity is life and we depend upon it in every moment of our lives and yet it is under unprecedented threat at all