* All times are based on Canada/Eastern EDT.
Canada/Eastern
Meet with Joseph Pitawanakwat, Andrés Jiménez Monge, and Junaid Shahzad Khan from Creators Garden at sunrise to welcome the birds, listen, walk, and learn about Indigenous bird names from Anishinaabe Aki and their linguistic, cultural, ecological, and medicinal significance.Additional details to be shared by email with those that signed up.
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
Welcome and opening remarks - Kathryn Bakos, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity CouncilStudent poster session awards presentation, Angela Coleman, General Manager, Conservation OntarioInternational Day for Biodiversity message
Canada/Eastern
As governments and financial institutions seek sustainable pathways for economic growth, the recognition of natural assets as foundational to long-term prosperity is gaining momentum. This session will explore how integrating nature into financial reporting can unlock economic opportunities, enhance resilience, and drive strategic investment.Our keynote speaker will discuss the case for governments formally recognizing natural assets, the role of green bonds in mobilizing capital, and the potential for a sovereign wealth fund underpinned by nature. Experts will examine how these financial mechanisms can support biodiversity conservation while fueling sustainable economic development. SESSION MODERATOR: Kathryn Bakos, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Bailey Church, Partner, Accounting Advisory Services & Leader, Public Sector ESG Centre of Expertise, KPMG in Canada
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
5 parallel sessionsDeeply rooted and complex challenges such as climate change require collaborative and innovative solutions. Through a collective storytelling approach, this session will delve into what makes collaborative efforts to build resilience of biodiversity to climate change successful. We will learn from each other as we explore successes and lessons learned from these resilience-oriented collaborations in Ontario. MODERATOR : Katilin Almack, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Advisor, Nature Conservancy of Canada SPEAKERS : John Kintare, Executive Director, Kawartha Land Trust Elliot Groen, Kawartha Community Forest Owners Cooperative, Ontario Woodlot Association Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Executive Officer, ALUS Francine McDonald, Senior Invasive Species Biologist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Mike Hendren, Executive Director, Ontario Conservation Accelerator
Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy emphasizes the need to identify priority areas for ecosystem restoration to help maximize resources and positive biodiversity outcomes. Experts from the Ontario Biodiversity Council will lead a group ideation exercise to compile and rank prioritization criteria. The results of the workshop will be subsequently shared with workshop participants and may be used to develop tools. FACILITATORS: Andrés Jiménez Monge, Head of Conservation, Ducks Unlimited Canada Tamara Brown, Conservation Programs Specialist, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Currently, the legal regime in Ontario and Canada takes a “permission to harm” the environment approach. This results in failure to protect and continued degradation of our ecosystems, wildlife, and human communities. Our session will look at Rights of Nature and Natural Law, how this could work in Ontario, and add your voice to this emerging solution to stop the loss of biodiversity. MODERATOR: Leslie Adams, Canadian Environmental Network Rights of Nature Community of Practice SPEAKERS: Tim Lash, Rights of Nature (Canada) Fund Ole Hendrickson, Chair of the Conservation Committee, Sierra Club of Canada Kelsey Watt, Academic Researcher, Queen's University Susan Robertson, International Observatory on Nature’s Rights
Join us for an engaging and informative workshop designed for landowners who are interested in increasing biodiversity on their properties. This session will provide you with the knowledge and resources to create and maintain a thriving ecosystem that benefits both wildlife and your land. Using the MFTIP (Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program) Natural Areas Stewardship booklet as a tool. MODERATOR: Val Deziel, Director of Restoration Programs, Forests Canada SPEAKERS: Kerry Coleman, Board Member, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Brendan Boyd, Ontario Forest Bird Program Coordinator, Birds Canada Doris Krahn, Private Woodlot Owner, Whispering Woods
Achieving area-based conservation targets requires a collaborative, all-of-society approach. This session will feature short presentations, and a panel discussion on the efforts by government, conservation organizations, and the forest industry to expand protected and conserved areas. MODERATOR: Dawn Carr, Director of Strategic Conservation, Nature Conservancy of Canada SPEAKERS: Anurani Persaud, Senior Ecologist, Ontario Parks Tom Ratz, Chief Forester for Ontario, Domtar Tony Morris, Director of Conservation Policy and Campaigns, Ontario Nature
Canada/Eastern
Your lunches are portable to enable you to participate in lunchtime learning andnetworking opportunities. Learning and networking opportunities: • Landowner Networking with the Ontario Woodlot Association and Forests Canada (Gzowski dining hall)• Meet with exhibitors (Biodiversity Breezeway)• Visit the student posters (Biodiversity Breezeway)• Participate in the Biodiversity Community Art project (Biodiversity Breezeway)• Big Biodiversity Questions (Biodiversity Breezeway)
Canada/Eastern
4 parallel sessionsJoin a panel of seasoned practitioners in a dynamic discussion on the critical role of genetic conservation in safeguarding plant and animal species. Drawing on decades of experience, the panel will explore modern tools and strategies for preserving genetic diversity, ensuring species resilience in the face of environmental, social and political change. They will share insights, lessons learned and opportunities that can make a tangible impact. MODERATOR: Dr. Aron Fazekas, Research Coordinator, The Arboretum, University of Guelph SPEAKERS: Kerry McLaven, Chief Executive Officer, Forest Gene Conservation Association Maria Franke, Director of Conservation Impact, Toronto Zoo
Maintaining and restoring healthy landscapes benefits individuals, communities, and ecosystems, and strengthens the relationship between people and the land. The session, guided by both Indigenous knowledge and Western ecological practices, will examine the connection between healthy landscapes, biodiversity, and human health. SESSION MODERATOR : Sarah Winterton, Carolinian Canada Coalition SPEAKERS: Sam Whiteye, Director of Indigenous Leadership, Carolinian Canada Coalition Jennifer Nantais, Healthy Habitat Manager, Carolinian Canada Coalition Melissa Creasy Alexander, Conservation Area Specialist, Kawartha Conservation Christine Lapeer, Mindful Fishing
How can we really #ChangeTheStory? Starting with detailed GeoAI land cover mapping of the 3 million-hectare Greater Tkaronto Bioregion (GTB) that will include Indigenous Knowledge woven into the information layers, the GTB work is a leading-edge bioregional strategy for multiplying impact through interconnected regenerative project clusters, building biodiversity and resilience, and creating a whole-systems story for informing policymakers and empowering generations.
This session will focus on enhancing urban biodiversity and strengthening ecosystems in Ontario’s urban communities, with a focus on urban forest climate risks, equitable greening efforts, and Indigenous-led restoration projects in urban spaces. MODERATOR: Jade Schofield, Ontario Urban Forest Council SPEAKERS: Janet Mackay, Executive Director, LEAF Sharon Lam, Intermediate Research Scientist, Ecosystem and Climate Science, Toronto Regional Conservation Authority Peter Croal, Co-Founder, National Healing Forests Initiative
Canada/Eastern
Canada/Eastern
3 parallel sessionsOptional activities to celebrate the end of a successful Summit and celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity. Due to capacity constraints, participants must be pre-registered.
The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is a registered charity with the goal to protect and conserve Ontario's native turtles and the habitat in which they live. Each year the centre admits and heals thousands of native turtles from across Ontario and then returns them to their original wetlands. Join Dr. Sue Carstairs, Executive/Medical Director and Colin Cassin, Chair, as they tell the story of the Ontario's native turtles, the people working tirelessly to protect them. Tour the recently completed purpose-built facility that will help to grow operations and create an impact for decades to come. Good to know: This tour will be capped at 50 attendees. The centre is a ~10-minute drive from Trent University. Transportation is not provided - carpooling is recommended. Restroom facilities are available on site. Further information will be provided to tour registrants prior to the event. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding site accessibility. Learn more about the OTCC at www.ontarioturtle.ca
Colonialism leads to biodiversity loss. In a reconciliatory world, come learn how oral histories, treaties and harvest rights should be influential on how settlers occupy First Nations landscapes. Learn how Trent University used a two-eyed seeing approach to lead to an environmentally friendly and constitutionally sound project development. Good to know: This tour is capped at 25 people. Please wear appropriate footwear and attire for the weather. Further information will be available to registrants prior to the event. Speaker: Gary Pritchard, Conservation Ecologist and Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist , 4-Directions of Conservation Consulting
