* All times are based on Canada/Eastern EDT.
Canada/Eastern
The registration desk will be open at 8:00 am for you to check in and pick up your name badge and summit program. Plan to arrive early and grab some breakfast and network until the opening plenary session begins!
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
Two-Eyed Seeing—the bringing together of Western science and Indigenous knowledge to achieve a holistic understanding—is pivotal to our turning point for nature. It serves as a guiding principle for conservation efforts and life, fostering a collaborative co-learning journey of diverse perspectives. Two-Eyed Seeing can enhance conservation efforts, promote sustainability, and create a more inclusive and respectful approach to understanding and protecting our natural world. Together, the speakers will underscore the importance of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and practices in informing conservation and provide tangible examples, explore opportunities, and address some of the challenges of engaging knowledge systems in ways that are mutually beneficial, respectful, and authentic. SPEAKERS: Dr. Dan Longboat, Associate Professor, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, founding Director of the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences Program, and Director of the Indigenous Environmental Institute, Trent University Dr. Chris Furgal, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies and the School of the Environment, Trent University Dr. Deborah McGregor, Anishinabe. Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary. Canada Excellence Research Chair, Indigenous Knowledge and Planetary Well Being
Canada/Eastern
Your lunches are portable to enable you to participate in lunchtime learning andnetworking opportunities. Learning and networking opportunities: • Ontario Native Plant Producers and end users networking (Gzowski dining hall).• Meet with exhibitors (Biodiversity Breezeway)• Visit the student posters and nominate your choice for the People’s Choice Student Poster Award (Biodiversity Breezeway)• Big Biodiversity Questions (Biodiversity Breezeway)
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
5 parallel sessionsInvasive species are a notable driver of biodiversity loss globally. The rate and impact of community led action in Ontario continues to accelerate, giving new energy to invasive species mitigation. This session will feature short presentations and a panel discussion with some of Ontario's key community leaders driving invasive species action discussing the exemplary work being done by municipalities, First Nations communities, Conservation Authorities, and nongovernmental organizations to catalyze community action on invasive species and protect Ontario's biodiversity. MODERATOR : Terry Rees, Central Ontario Phragmites Coordinator, Ontario Phragmites Action Program PANELISTS : Colin Cassin, Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre Curtis Avery, Environment Manager, Nipissing First Nation Freyja Whitten, Program Manager, Terrestrial Restoration, Credit Valley Conservation Dayna Laxton, Invasive Species Specialist, York Region
While many areas of Ontario remain in their natural state, some of them, particularly those in south-central Ontario, are under threat of being lost forever. Join this session to learn more about interesting strategies that Ontario-based conservation organizations are using to increase protected and conserved areas and reconnect communities with nature. MODERATOR : Alison Howson, Executive Director, Ontario Land Trust Alliance SPEAKERS: Aaron Rusak, Conservation Director, Georgian Bay Land Trust Kaitlyn Patterson, Assistant Professor and Queen’s National Scholar, All Our Relations Land Trust Nico Muñoz, Manger of Research and Nature Smart Climate Solutions, Ontario Land Trust Alliance Thom Unrau, Director of Community Conservation, Kawartha Land Trust
Safeguarding our natural heritage is key to sustainable development and human well-being. This session will highlight essential elements of building local biodiversity plans through multi-partner collaboration, and considerations for bridging western science with Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, known as Land Relationship Visioning. Designed to empower local governments, it offers unique approaches, innovative tools, and invaluable lessons for impactful environmental planning. MODERATOR: Angela Coleman, General Manager, Conservation Ontario SPEAKERS : Jennifer Rae Pierce, Co-Founder, Urban Biodiversity Hub Kassie McKeown, Project Lead - Lands and Land Relationships, Cambium Indigenous Professional Services Lauren Vraets, Senior Project Manager for Community Engagement, City of Hamilton Jen Baker, General Manager, Hamilton Naturalists' Club
The 2025 State of Ontario’s Biodiversity Report is a vital tool for monitoring progress towards the ambitious targets set in Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy. This session will present research and innovative tools that help inform three critical biodiversity indicators: area under restoration, genetic conservation, and aquatic stress index. MODERATOR : Dan Kraus, Lecturer, University of Waterloo SPEAKERS: Steve Hounsell, Past Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council Richard Feldman, Wildlife Landscape Ecologist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Erica Newton, Analytical Biologist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Alyssa Murdoch, Research Scientist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Golnar Jalilvand, Wildlife Biologist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Natural assets and biodiversity play a critical role in long-term economic stability and growth. In this panel discussion, will share how natural capital can and is being integrated into corporate and government financial frameworks, emerging regulatory standards, and market-based mechanisms as well as Ontario-based case studies and success stories. MODERATOR : Kathryn Bakos, Managing Director, Finance and Resilience, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation SPEAKERS: Peter van Dijk, Senior Corporate Executive in Global Finance and Tax, Brock University Goodman School of Business Ben O'Hickey, Senior Advisor, ESG and Nature Advisory, WSP Paige Olmsted, Program Director, Nature-Based Solutions, Smart Prosperity Institute
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
5 parallel sessionsThis session will present new research about Ontario’s ecological footprint, and biocapacity, and how this data can be used provincially, municipally, and at the level of businesses, households, and communities. Ecological footprint quantifies how human activities relate to the biological capacity of ecosystems to provide food and renewable materials, or to sequester carbon emissions, beyond the area occupied by settlements and infrastructure. Reducing Ontario’s ecological footprint reduces pressures on biodiversity. MODERATOR : Eric Miller, Director of the Ecological Footprint Initiative, York University SPEAKERS: Peri Dworatzek, Partnership Coordinator, International Ecological Footprint Learning Lab, York University Kiona Lo, Senior Data Analyst, International Ecological Footprint Learning Lab, York University Daniel Letang, Senior Policy Advisor, Greenbelt Foundation Kaitlin Pal, Data Analyst, International Ecological Footprint Learning Lab, York University
In this session we will interview restoration experts, and discuss challenges in Ontario’s restoration economy, the coordination of ecological restoration, and the supply of appropriate plants and seeds needed to meet restoration and biodiversity targets. MODERATOR: Stefan Weber, Ontario Plant Restoration Alliance SPEAKERS: Carolyn Callaghan, Senior Conservation Biologist for Terrestrial Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife Federation Gillian Di Petta, Native Plant Nursery Coordinator, Mitigomin Native Plant Nursery, Alderville Black Oak Savanna Julie Henry, Manager & Head Biologist, Alderville Black Oak Savanna Paul LaPorte, Ontario Native Plant Growers Association Rob Messervey, Ontario Native Plant Growers Association
Indigenous names for flora and fauna are based on long-term interactions and observations; they give us insight into the species’ appearance, diet, behavior, and use. As we lose language speakers, Indigenous names continue to disappear, erasing a complex understanding of the species and its interactions. Join this session to learn and discuss initiatives in Ontario that are working to revive Anishinaabemowin names to preserve a deeper understanding of Anishnaabe culture and relationship to vital ecosystems. SPEAKERS : Chevaun Toulouse, Environment & Climate Change Coordinator, Sagamok Anishnawbek Kassandra McKeown, Cambium Indigenous Professional Services
Ontario’s biodiversity is tracked by a wide range of actors—from Indigenous Guardians and citizen scientists to academics, NGOs, industry, and government agencies. But the data remains fragmented, inconsistent, and at risk of being lost or underused. This session explores the current challenges and opportunities in biodiversity data management, highlights successful community engagement models, and invites participants to shape a roadmap toward a coordinated, interoperable biodiversity data strategy for Ontario. MODERATOR: Robert Hanner, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology & Director, Biodiversity Institute for Conservation Synthesis, University of Guelph SPEAKERS: Gary Pritchard, Conservation Ecologist and Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist, 4-Directions of Conservation Consulting Chris Wilson, Senior Research Scientist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Laura Timms, Program Manager, Natural Heritage Management, Credit Valley Conservation
This session will explore how carbon markets can drive conservation efforts in Ontario, showcasing best practices and local examples of projects that use carbon credits to protect the environment and support communities across the province. SESSION MODERATOR: Jade Schofield, Senior Manager, Environment & Climate Change, Ontario Power Generation SPEAKERS: Jordan Sinclair, Vice President, Strategy, ALUS Ben O'Hickey, Senior Advisor, ESG and Nature Advisory, WSP Mara Mordecai, National Sustainability Lead for Finance and Insurance, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Canada/Eastern
Support the next generation of Ontario's biodiversity researchers by meeting student presenters and hearing about their work. This is the opportunity to nominate your pick for the People's Choice Student Poster Award.
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
Deeply concerned about the steep decline of insect pollinators due to devastating environmental impacts, a group of runners trace the migration path of the monarch butterflies from Peterborough, Ontario to Central Mexico as they organized a 4,300-kilometre relay run to raise awareness for pollinator conservation. This film covers the story and experiences of runners, the organizing team, scientists, and environmentalists.
