Speakers: Otsi'tsaken:ra Charles Patton - Elder from the Kanien’keha:ka Community of Kahnawake Marc d'Iorio - Assistant Deputy Minister of the Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada His Excellency, Carlos Arturo Morales - Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Canada Marie-Andrée Mauger - Membre du comité exécutif de la Ville de Montréal, responsable de la transition écologique et de l'environnement et Mairesse de l'arrondissement de Verdun David Cooper - Acting Executive Secretary, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity María Cecilia Londoño - Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt (Colombia) and GEO BON co-Chair Andrew Gonzalez - McGill University (Canada) and GEO BON co-Chair Recording available

"Monitoring the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" Jillian Campbell, Head of Monitoring, Review and Reporting (UN Convention on Biological Diversity) Recording available ; "Community-based Monitoring and Information Systems: Learning from Nature and Cultures at Local to Global Scales" Joji Cariño, Senior Policy Advisor (Forest Peoples Programme) Recording available

By bringing together different sub-national monitoring programs we aim to promote knowledge exchange, collaboration, and showcase the importance of partnerships in biodiversity monitoring and reporting. Explore how effective governance structures steer successful programs and understand the role partnerships play in mobilizing large-scale, regional biodiversity monitoring programs. We will feature short presentations where our speakers will share their experiences and lessons learned, and highlight case studies from their regional Canadian biodiversity monitoring program. Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights. Speakers: Monica Kohler (Operations Director, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute/University of Alberta) David Roberts (Science Centre Co-Director, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute/Innotech Alberta) Anouk Simard (Québec Government, Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP))

The Global Biodiversity Framework calls for a robust monitoring framework designed to support national reporting of progress towards the targets and goals. The monitoring framework uses indicators to track progress that use existing biodiversity data and new data derived from monitoring schemes (e.g. biodiversity observation networks, BONs). Many countries are now planning to increase their monitoring capacity and mobilize existing data to support their NBSAPs and report progress (in 2026) on the targets of the GBF. To support the process, GEO BON is developing an online platform that will help countries assess the information they have and guide monitoring to improve knowledge of the trends in biodiversity. This platform, called BON in a Box , will allow you to: • Use a new interactive tool to guide where to monitor biodiversity to improve trend detection and attribution to guide conservation action. This tool will work for existing or planned BONs.• Work with global and national datasets to create country specific insights.• Calculate and display Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and GBF Indicators, using our open platform. The work flows for these calculations will be transparent and reproducible.• Receive support from GEO BON’s large expert community.• Develop and use models to provide projections of EBVS for areas where data are missing.• Find ongoing biodiversity monitoring projects and share insights. Organizers: Humboldt Institute Speakers: Andrew Gonzalez (GEO BON, QCBS, McGill University) César Gutiérrez Montoya (Instituto Alexander von Humboldt) Jean-Michel Lord (GEO BON Secretariat) María Cecilia Londoño (GEO BON, Instituto Alexander von Humboldt)

Ecosystem Extent is a key indicator that reflects the state and health of ecosystems, their biodiversity, and the services biodiversity provides to society. Mapping and monitoring ecosystem extent involves the use of remote sensing technology to assess the distribution and composition of ecosystems and biodiversity. This session will highlight state-of-the-art EO image technologies and algorithm development for Ecosystem Extent mapping and identify new technologies for biodiversity observations and monitoring to support transformative policy and conservation action including the Global Biodiversity Framework Targets and Reporting & Ecosystem Accounting efforts. Organizers: Jason Duffe (Environment and Climate Change Canada) Gary Geller (Jet Propulsion Lab-NASA) Yves Crevier (Canadian Space Agency) Lucie Viciano (Canadian Space Agency)

Mainstreaming is a key part of effectively reaching biodiversity goals, from the implementation of targets to the monitoring of success. Here we discuss the various elements of mainstreaming, from assessing and monitoring biodiversity patterns and communicating them to stakeholder, to helping refine and realise conservation goals and targets. Organizers: Alice Hughes (AP-BON, University of Hong Kong) Laetitia Navarro (Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC)

CBD COP-15 invites Parties and relevant organisations to support community-based monitoring and information systems (CBMIS) and citizen science and their contributions to the implementation of the monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The workshop will include: 1. Sharing and discussing CBMIS approaches, practices and tools, including through case studies on biodiversity monitoring by indigenous peoples and local communities; 2. An interactive session addressing questions on methodological and practical ways in which data and information generated at the local level can interact with national and global systems and databases (including GEO-BON), thereby contributing to monitoring the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Organizers: Joji Carino (Forest Peoples Programme) Maurizio Farhan Ferrari (Forest Peoples Programme)

This panel will showcase examples of sustainable use of non-timber products in the Bolivian Chiquitano dry forest with results in habitat preservation and positive changes in gender roles. Speakers: Silvia Pasabare, president of the Monte Verde indigenous association of women non-timber producers Nancy Paine, CACIQUE Monte Verde Patricia Patiño, Executive Director APCOB (Apoyo al Campesino - Indígena del Oriente Boliviano)

Biodiversity indicators are needed to put monitoring into action. Indicators are essential to realize the trends in the state of biodiversity and the outcomes of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. By progressively improving indicators, we can understand how drivers of biodiversity loss cause biodiversity change. This session will discuss particular biodiversity indicators and the additional information and resources needed to use and improve them for effective monitoring. Session organizers: María Cecilia Londoño (GEO BON, Instituto Alexander von Humboldt) Melodie McGeoch (La Trobe University)

The interests, knowledge and capabilities of local communities can be powerful drivers of transformative change. In this session we will show examples of how these elements helped to understand local change in biodiversity and guided conservation actions. We will also explore, through discussion, how the learnings from such local programs can be harnessed to improve progress towards global targets and how global frameworks could strengthen local programs. Organizers: Eren Turak (FWBON)

Talks in this session address the challenge of understanding the causes of biodiversity change. The widespread adoption of a detection and attribution framework to guide monitoring is required to assess and rapidly update our knowledge of how conservation action is leading progress towards the Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Systematic monitoring for biodiversity change is often designed to detect trends up to a certain level of statistical confidence, but few are designed with detection and attribution objectives linked to specific biodiversity targets. By embedding the detection and attribution framework in an iterative monitoring cycle, we expect improved confidence in the causes of the detected biodiversity trends that can be used to guide more effective conservation actions and long-term planning. Organizers: Andrew Gonzalez (GEO BON, QCBS, McGill University) Brian Leung (McGill University)

In 2021, the UN Statistical Commission adopted the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting as a new international statistical standard for monitoring changes in ecosystem stocks (ecosystem extent and condition) and flows of ecosystem services, and their linkages to the economy. SEEA EA provides a measurement framework underpinning the development of the GBF monitoring framework and its headline indicators. The SEEA EA implementation strategy highlights the importance of scaling up implementation in countries using Earth Observation in combination with in-situ data. The session will present some best practices and discuss the challenges of compiling national ecosystem accounts, including biodiversity. Organizers: Marc Paganini (European Space Agency - ESA) Francois Soulard (Statistics Canada)

How well do biodiversity change indicators capture real world change across time and space? How sensitive are existing indicators to changes at local, regional, or global scales? Are some indicators best-suited to capture short-term or long-term changes? Which indicators are sensitive to conservation actions (e.g. is it likely the indicator improves with substantial conservation efforts)? In this workshop, we are seeking a wide pool of participants (from indicator experts to users) to help us identify major gaps in existing indicators that will serve as the basis of developing a standard protocol for testing indicators. Participants will work through a range of scenarios of biodiversity change. We will then summarize and disseminate results during the conference and have a platform for feedback. Everyone is welcome! Please join us for one of two sessions: Session I: 14:00 to 15:30 EDT Session II: 16:00 to 18:00 EDT (repeat of Session I) Organizers : Laura Pollock (McGill University) Katherine Hebert (McGill University) Dirk Nikolaus Karger (Swiss Federal Research Institute, WSL) Brian Leung (McGill University) Walter Jetz (Yale University)

GEO is forging this project as a collaborative public-private initiative by a multi-stakeholder coalition to bring together the many good efforts taken by different groups and organisations and build a globally recognised approach and tool for ecosystems extent mapping and monitoring for effective assessment of nature’s loss/gain with transparency and coherency. The Atlas has the endorsement and support from the CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD, Ramsar Convention secretariats, and galvanized the interest of the main public and private data and technology providers, and science-based conservation organizations in a coalition. Organizers: Sara Venturini (GEO Secretariat) Speakers: Yana Gevorgyan (GEO Secretariat) Jillian Campbell (Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD) Andrew Gonzalez (GEO BON / McGill University) James D’Ath (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures - TNFD) Emily Darling (Wildlife Conservation Society - WCS) Marc Paganini (European Space Agency - ESA)

The development of best practices and new technologies for monitoring can benefit from “lessons learned” from existing long-term programs. Here, we will introduce a large-scale collaborative project, spanning 20-years and the systematic sampling of 40,000 non-invasively collected caribou fecal samples, which produced a range of demographic and diversity parameters of importance to Recovery Planning. Our panel will consist of the Co-Principal Investigators of this framework with associated partners representing academia; government; Indigenous communities; and the private sector. The panel will reflect on the history and expansion of the collaborative network, what has been accomplished, benefits and challenges, and future opportunities. Speakers: Marc D’Iorio (Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) Paul Wilson (Professor, Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; Organizer) David Johns (Senior Species at Risk Biologist, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada) Rachel Boone (Environmental Specialist, Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Leon Andrew (Dene Elder and Research Coordinator, Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada) Rebecca Taylor (Research Scientist, Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) Micheline Manseau (Research Scientist, Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Organizer)

The Global Biodiversity Framework mandates that we monitor marine environments, regions that are notoriously difficult to observe. Challenges related to imaging workflows and data management only increase the obstacles faced by many marine researchers. Ocean Vision AI (OVAI), an initiative spearheaded by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, offers marine scientists two tools to help fill the gaps in their data analysis pipelines: OVAI's FathomNet database and the OVAI Portal. Our hands-on session will show participants how they can collaboratively label data, tune machine learning models, and deploy their custom AI on new imagery. Organizers: Genevieve Patterson (Climate Change AI) Henry Ruhl (Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System) Eric Orenstein (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

How well do biodiversity change indicators capture real world change across time and space? How sensitive are existing indicators to changes at local, regional, or global scales? Are some indicators best-suited to capture short-term or long-term changes? Which indicators are sensitive to conservation actions (e.g. is it likely the indicator improves with substantial conservation efforts)? In this workshop, we are seeking a wide pool of participants (from indicator experts to users) to help us identify major gaps in existing indicators that will serve as the basis of developing a standard protocol for testing indicators. Participants will work through a range of scenarios of biodiversity change. We will then summarize and disseminate results during the conference and have a platform for feedback. Everyone is welcome! Please join us for one of two sessions: Session II: 16:00 to 18:00 EDT (this is a repeat of Session I) Organizers : Laura Pollock (McGill University) Katherine Hebert (McGill University) Dirk Nikolaus Karger (Swiss Federal Research Institute, WSL) Brian Leung (McGill University) Walter Jetz (Yale University)

Remote sensing has long played an important role in biodiversity monitoring, albeit with limitations in resolution and coverage. Looking forward, new imaging spectroscopy, thermal, lidar and radar missions are poised to revolutionize biodiversity monitoring from space by providing repeated, high-resolution global measurements of ecosystem diversity, structure and function. NASA’s SBG, NISAR, and numerous other missions to be launched in this decade, led by agencies around the world, will provide a smorgasbord of global remote sensing products. This session will ask how to make best use of the torrent of data that will soon be streaming in from space to monitor and understand biodiversity, and how and why it is changing. Organizers: Peter Kalmus (NASA/JPL) Kyla M. Dahlin (Michigan State University) Gary Geller (NASA/JPL) Fabian Schneider (NASA/JPL) Speakers: Kyla M. Dahlin (Professor, Michigan State University Department of Geography, Environment, & Spatial Sciences) Victor H. Gutierrez-Velez (Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University) Jeannine Cavender-Bares (Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota) Maria J. Santos (Associate Professor at the Department of Geography at the University of Zurich)

Collaborative networks can help identify shared environmental priorities and ensure knowledge sharing and tool development to support decision making. This session will demonstrate the value of technology-based environmental networks, e.g., GEO BON that improves the acquisition, coordination and delivery of biodiversity observations; the LEO Network that facilitates sharing of unusual environmental events; CocoRaHS, a community-based precipitation network that documents on-the-ground conditions that are affected by precipitation ; and the CEC’s North American Atlas that combines and harmonizes geospatial data with a regional perspective on environmental issues. This session aims to facilitate a regional discussion to identify key joint priorities and knowledge gaps. Moderator: Georgina O’Farrill (Commission for Environmental Cooperation) Speakers: Mariam Latofski (Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network) Dominique Croteau (Commission for Environmental Cooperation) Henry Reges (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CocoRaHS) US National Coordinator (TBC) Andrew Gonzalez (GEO BON, QCBS, McGill University) Orlando Cabrera (Commission for Environmental Cooperation)

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the GEO BON Conference 2023 - Cocktail Reception! Where: Montreal Science Centre located at 2 Rue de la Commune Ouest, Montréal, QC H2Y 4B2 . When: Tuesday Oct. 10 at 7:00pm. Price: FREE for all GEO BON Conference attendees. Mingle with like-minded individuals at the stunning venue and immerse yourself in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying delicious drinks and fully plant-based appetizers. Connect with experts, researchers, and enthusiasts from the field of biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring. Exchange ideas, share experiences, and build valuable connections that will enhance your professional journey. A fantastic opportunity to expand your network and explore the latest trends in biodiversity monitoring.