If you are organising an event to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, we encourage you to share your activities with us and everyone in your country. If you wish to see the information below in your official language, please send us a translation (.doc or .pdf) at [email protected].
If you have videos and photos of your celebrations of the International Year of Biodiversity, please send them to us!
Canada
National Celebrations
Canada's Final Report for the International Year of Biodiversity 2010
Environment's Canada website for the International Year of Biodiversity provides a virtual meeting place where Canadians can share their stories about how they are celebrating the Year. You will find more events in the calendar.
RCEN 2010 Annual Conference "Conserving Biodiversity Pays: The Values of Ecosystem Services" In this, the International Year of Biodiversity, the RCEN's 2010 Conference is focusing on biodiversity across Canada and our planet. Biodiversity is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. It is this combination of life forms and their interactions with each other and with the rest of the environment that has made Earth a uniquely habitable place for humans. Organized by: The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) More info.
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Activities organized by the Biosphere as part of the International Year of Biodiversity
Tightly knit
Starting May 22
Presented in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, this outdoor exhibit of giant photos commemorates this special year by revealing how amateur photographers see and experience nature. Visit it with a rally!
Man and His World
This short film and its accompanying scientific animation take an impressionistic look at the richness of Canada’s biodiversity.
Pollinators wanted
Starting Jun 5
Pollinators contribute to the variety of the fruits and vegetables we eat. The reduction in the number of bees, other pollinating insects and birds threatens biodiversity. What can we do to protect our pollinators? Discover it with this animated activity!
BioKits
The Biosphère is producing a series of BioKits aimed at inspiring families to get out and explore the urban spaces and natural areas in their own neighbourhoods and beyond. Through a series of interactive, outdoor activities offered in both the Urban BioKit and the Nature BioKit, participants are initiated to biodiversity and are offered ways of taking action to preserve it. Download the Biokit of your choice. |
Canada’s Waterscapes—Yours to Enjoy, Explore and Protect A travelling exhibition that reveals Canada's diverse, complex and beautiful aquatic ecosystems. It is touring, during 2010 and beyond, to other museums and venues across Canada. The exhibition was produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature and its partners: Parks Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, RBC Blue Water Project, and Canadian Water Network. Please click here for more information or visit nature.ca.
Radio Canada. Étienne Leblanc talks with Denis Réale and Ahmed Djoghlaf, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity - Audio MP3 (fr)
The Government of Canada is pleased to have contributed to the creation of the International Year of Biodiversity logo.
The Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada has officially launched the International Year of Biodiversity. English website - French.
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The HWW biodiversity webisode is now online!
Please take a moment and have a look. This is where you'll find in-depth descriptions of wildlife, discussions on issues, actions that you can take to help wildlife, and educational materials that teachers and group leaders can use.
Please, click here to watch the clips in English or Français. |
The Trans Canada Trail is promoting the International Year of Biodiversity.
Ontario
Also in May is the Urban Biodiversity Conference, which is taking place on May 20th, 2010 at the Royal Ontario Museum. This full-day event will examine the relationship between ecosystems and cities. Activities celebrating Ontario's biodiversity are continuing into the fall with the annual AD. Latornell Conservation Symposium, taking place in November. The theme for this year's event is Biodiversity: Connecting People, Land and Water.
Along with the activities listed above the OMNR has been working on a number of promotional materials including bookmarks, posters and Our World, Ontario - an educational video featuring beautiful images and a strong conservation message which can be viewed online at www.ontario.ca/biodiversity.
Showcasing Ontario’s Biodiversity At The ROM - “McGuinty Government Supports The United Nations’ International Year of Biodiversity”
Terra Nostra Quebec organizes the photo contest BIOdivert yourself in 2010! . The aim is to shed light - through the objective of a camera - on the multiple facets of Quebec’s biological diversity and to create a collection of photographs which will be available to educational institutions in Quebec without charge. Your participation will contribute to raising people’s awareness for Quebec’s rich but fragile biodiversity and leave a photographic legacy to future generations.
Those under the age of 18 may participate by submitting their photos to the category Generation Twenty Ten which focuses on the importance of water for Quebec’s biodiversity.
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24 hours of Biodiversity
24 beautiful photos to illustrate the biodiversity of Quebec at the Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City. From November 17th, 2010 to January 16th, 2011 Poster Press release (French) |
A natural history museum to open at UBC in 2010
UBC's rich biological collections will soon be housed in the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, a new public museum dedicated to enhancing the public's understanding and appreciation of biodiversity, and making the research conducted by the scientists of UBC's Biodiversity Research Centre more accessible to the public. The Museum and the Research Centre will be housed side-by-side in the new Beaty Biodiversity Centre building. Read more
Manitoba Biodiversity Network Group (a group of representatives from government, ngos, academics and private interested individuals) organizes the International Year of Biodiversity Celebration, and raising awareness of the importance of Biodiversity.
The group was officially formed in order to raise awareness in the province of the importance of biodiversity in late 2009, however the group has been meeting for the last two years in order to plan together for IBD celebrations. This year we are posting all plans and events, news on www.naturenorth.com; posting and contributing weekly biodiversity related articles through 2010 to several local newspapers; as well as continuously try to improve our communication and outreach methods in order to raise awareness of biodiversity in the province. All throughout the year.
Past events
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Information Session by the SciMaTech at Collège Sainte-Anne of Lachine
Students of the SciMaTech team set up a booth on the importance of biodiversity. Lunch hour was the perfect occasion to discuss about the International Year of Biodiversity. With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and other visual displays, the students were able to share a clear message: take conscience of the importance of and the fragility of biodiversity.
For more information: Article (in French)
Please click here to view the PowerPoint presentation. (in French)
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Press Conference and picnic
Saturday September 11th, 2010. Organized by the Partenaires du Parc Écologique de l’Archipel of Montreal. Mayors and city counsellors of many boroughs were part of this event. The David Suzuki Foundation was part of the evnt as well.
For more information : Press Release (In French)
Parc Écologique de l’Archipel de Montréal |
To coincide with the logo's unveiling at an event hosted by the City of Montreal on 2 October 2009, Environment Canada launched a 2010 International Year of Biodiversity section on the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network. The site www.cbin.ec.gc.ca/2010 provides a virtual meeting place where Canadians can share their stories about how they are celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity.
Biodiversity Essay Contest: From Environment Canada for Youth With Prizes! From January 28 to February 28, 2010, we are inviting Canadians between the ages of 9 and 35 to submit written essays or video essays explaining why nature is important to them. Here is the Contest’s promotional page for distribution. The essay or video is submitted on-line.
Environment Canada’s Nature Matters!
We are contacting key organizations, network, educators, parents and connected individuals in the education, environment and voluntary sectors to help engage young Canadians in this opportunity. The Contest is being officially launched with a national media release from Environment Canada. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact: Julien Raynaud at (819) 956-7731, or Susan Preston at (819) 953-4531.
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John Abbott College
23 May 2010, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
Earth Day at John Abbott College featured local biodiversity and protection of pollinators. A wooden model home for orchard bees and a display on butterflies, plus art from recycled materials, were some of the important displays.
Report - Article - Pictures. |
22 May 2010, International Day for Biodiversity celebrated in Canada
22 May 2010, biodiversitymatters.org We had a whale of a time at the Museum of Nature Reopening Event!
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BurlingtonGreen 2010 'Imprints' Youth Eco-Conference
On October 28, 2010, 300 students from 23 different schools converged on the Royal Botanical Gardens to participate in this interactive, biodiversity-themed day of discovery, inspiration and action. Watch on Youtube
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Partners
Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network
www.biodiversityeducation.ca/index.php/events
Ontario’s Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN) is a multisectoral collaboration of organizations, government departments and industries whose mission is to support and enhance the development and delivery of biodiversity education and awareness efforts by: supplying consistent messages, linking to sector- and age-appropriate content, and assisting where possible in program development and delivery. Identified audiences are engaged in learning, discussion, advocacy and action.
BiodiversityMatters
www.biodiversitymatters.org
Since its inception in 2007, BiodiversityMatters chooses one Biodiversity Youth Initiative to focus on annually. Last year, we proudly hosted the Second International Youth Symposium for Biodiversity, in Ottawa, Canada. Nine countries were invited to participate in partnership with HabitatNet from New Hampshire, USA. In 2010, we are supporting the development of a Youth Accord on Biodiversity to be presented at COP 10, in Japan. Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots, the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA), and several Canadian Institutions and NGOs are partners with this initiative.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Quebec Chapter
www.snapqc.org/fr/node/477
La SNAP est la voix canadienne pour la protection de la nature depuis 1963. Les idées créatives, la recherche scientifique et le dévouement de centaines de bénévoles et une cinquantaine d'employés ont permis à la SNAP de jouer un rôle capital dans la protection de plus de 45 millions d'hectares au pays. Nous parvenons à nos buts par le biais de l'éducation et la sensibilisation, ainsi que par la coopération avec des organismes environnementaux, les Premières Nations, le gouvernement, l'industrie, les communautés locales et autres. La SNAP compte 13 sections régionales à travers le Canada et un bureau national à Ottawa.
Dans le cadre des célébrations de l’Année internationale de la biodiversité, la SNAP Québec publie mensuellement un communiqué de presse faisant état d’une espèce animale vivant au Québec et dont le statut est classée menacée ou vulnérable.
David without borders
www.davidwithoutborders.com
For 12 months, the explorers David Aimé and David Fabrega will travel around the world with a High Definition camera in order to gather the most current information from local entrepreneurs, scientists, and communities on biodiversity inspired projects. These projects will have a great impact on both regional and national regions.
Earth Day Quebec
www.jourdelaterre.org
The mission of Earth Day Québec is to stimulate and improve the positive action of individuals, organizations and companies in favour of the environment: It is Celebration through Action on April 22 and every day!
Earth Day was celebrated for the first time on April 22, 1970 thanks to American Senator Gaylord Nelson. In encouraging students to organize various environment awareness projects around them, Mr. Nelson unwittingly launched the important international movement we know today. More than 1 billion people in more than 120 countries swing into action each year within the framework of Earth Day. In Québec, we have celebrated this event since 1995 by organizing many activities throughout the province.
Celebrate Earth Day through action and visit the www.jourdelaterre.org site to find more about it! You can check the Activities Calendar, participate in contests or simply obtain information. Make every day Earth Day!
Podcasts - Balado biodiversité - La biodiversité… en ville?
- Cultiver... la ville!
- Apprendre la vie... en ville!
- Rafraichir la ville!
- L'aménagement urbain, c'est naturel!
GaïaPresse
www.gaiapresse.ca/fr/dossiers/index.php?id=12
GaïaPresse est un organisme sans but lucratif agissant comme Pôle d'information et d’éducation dans le domaine de l'environnement au Québec, au Canada, et à l’international. Il s’agit d’un lieu de convergence pour qui recherche de l’information objective, crédible et complète sur les enjeux environnementaux qui occupent l’actualité.
Afin de sensibiliser l'opinion et de renforcer la prise de conscience sur l'importance de sauvegarder la biodiversité, GaïaPresse développe un dossier spécial sur la biodiversité. Très complet, ce dossier permettra d'informer des milliers de lecteurs sur l'état de la biodiversité et des conséquences de son déclin dans le monde, en plus de proposer des pistes de solutions.
Get to Know
www.gettoknow.ca
The Robert Bateman Get to Know (G2K) Program has connected hundreds of thousands of young people with nature by encouraging them to “get to know” their wild neighbours. G2K envisions a global shift in thinking, towards an understanding that conserving biodiversity is our shared responsibility. We are revolutionizing the way in which young people connect with nature in their daily lives: at home, in the classroom—anywhere they go. The program is characterized by a dynamic youthful energy. G2K utilizes the latest technology to present young people with active, engaging, interactive, and highly enjoyable learning experiences in nature. More information can be found by clicking here.
IKANAWTIKET
www.ikanawtiket.ca
IKANAWTIKET in Mi’kmaq loosely translates to pathfinder. Sharing our Aboriginal eco-centric world view about interconnectedness, interdependency, and respect for Mother Earth is our work.
IKANAWTIKET promotes respect for our Mother Earth through: - education about biodiversity and Aboriginal Peoples;
- sharing information about opportunities and obstacles for Aboriginal Peoples involvement in biodiversity issues;
- connecting and linking like-minded individuals;
- forming partnerships between leaders on issues of conservation, sustainable use, and access & benefit sharing with Aboriginal Peoples; and
- encouraging the involvement of Aboriginal Peoples to make our voice heard.
International Economic Forum of the Americas/ Conference of Montreal
www.conferencedemontreal.com
The International Economic Forum of the Americas/ Conference of Montreal is committed to heighten knowledge and awareness of the major issues of economic globalization, with a particular emphasis on the relations between the Americas and other continents. The Forum also strives to foster exchanges of information, to promote free discussion on major current economic issues and facilitate meetings between world leaders to encourage international discourse by bringing together Heads of State, the private sector, international organizations and civil society.
Islands Trust - Canada
www.islandstrust.bc.ca
The Islands Trust is a federation of 13 independent local governments and is home to an exceptional variety of species of birds, marine life, wildlife and plants. The Trust Area covers 5,200 square kilometres of islands and waters between Canada’s Pacific coast mainland and Vancouver Island, including 13 major islands and more than 450 smaller islands. The Islands Trust is responsible for preserving and protecting the area in cooperation with other agencies. In addition to the usual local government functions such as planning and regulating land use, the Islands Trust has a land conservancy protecting 77 properties and provides stewardship education programs.
Kiff media
www.kiffmedia.com
Kiff media is a media agency, marketing and communications, specializing in Street Marketing and Guerrilla Marketing.
It is present at all levels of communication, creating a visual identity to the full implementation of an advertising campaign, from designing websites and creating events.
All this is possible through the panel of products offered by the agency. It makes mobile advertising in the streets with scooters and tuk tuk, uses a new type of billboards.
It operates several concepts to create a memorable publicity stunt, as the Flashmob and StuntMedia.
Le projet Québec-Costa Rica
www.quebec-costarica.org
Une approche intégrée de développement du territoire basée sur les services écosystémiques favorise la conservation de la biodiversité tout en permettant la présence des populations humaines. Le projet Québec-Costa Rica a pour objectifs de développer un S.I.G. de la biodiversité et l’élaboration d’une méthodologie de transfert de techniques, coopération et création de capacités vers la communauté de Gandoca en accord avec les principes de l’Agenda 21 Local. Cette expédition scientifique permet à une équipe d’étudiants du Cégep de l’Outaouais issus de 5 programmes d’études d’intégrer leurs compétences et de mettre en valeur la biodiversité et contribuer à sa conservation.
Montreal International
www.montreal-international.com
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Montréal International (MI) is a non-profit organization created in 1996 as a result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. MI is financed by some 100 members from the private and institutional sectors, as well as the Governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the City of Montréal.
Nature Conservancy of Canada
www.natureconservancy.ca
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit organization working for the direct protection of Canada's biodiversity through purchase, donation or the placement of conservation agreements on ecologically significant lands. NCC protects areas of biological diversity for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of future generations.
Since 1962, NCC has protected close to two million acres (809,371 hectares) across the country, in partnership with other conservation groups, First Nations, non-profit organizations and governments. NCC works in communities across Canada and has offices in all 10 provinces.
Ontario Biodiversity Council - Canada
www.ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca
Council members come from a variety of different backgrounds and represent industry, government and non-government organizations, Aboriginal communities, and conservation and environmental groups. Council believes that all citizens, communities and sectors fo society can play an important role in conserving the province’s biodiversity and making sure that our use of Ontario’s natural resources is sustainable.
Partenaires du Parc Écologique de l’Archipel de Montréal
www.greencoalitionverte.ca/parc
...20de%20Montreal.html
More than eighty organizations have joined in partnership to create a greenbelt for Montreal and southwestern Quebec, like those already achieved by other major North American urban centres. The goal of the project is to save a minimum of 12% of the maple-hickory forest domain (‘domaine de l’érablière à caryer’) that stretches from the Lower Laurentians to the US border and from Sûroit to Sorel. This ecological domain has the greatest biodiversity in all of Québec, but its unique species and habitats are in danger of being lost to urban development. The Parc Écologique de l’Archipel de Montréal will protect this natural heritage in pertetuity - in a greenbelt of forests and floodplains, wetlands and islands linked together by green corridors and streams, and the great rivers of south-western Québec (‘le Québec méridional’).
Pochette de Presse 09/11/2010
The Columbia Basin Biodiversity Atlas
www.biodiversityatlas.org
The Columbia Basin Biodiversity Atlas brings together maps and reports about species and ecosystems in Canada’s Columbia Basin headwaters. The maps and reports featured on the site provide access to recent research in the region, and enable the public to easily learn, understand, and help conserve biodiversity. The project is a partnership between the Selkirk College Geospatial Research Centre, the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program for the Columbia Basin, the Columbia Basin Trust, The Nature Trust of BC, and FortisBC.
The Royal BC Museum
www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
The Royal BC Museum Corporation is one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. The museum was founded in 1886; the archives in 1894. In 2003 these two organizations integrated to become British Columbia's combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of BC's natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future, and sharing them with the world.
Through research and education, we strive to broaden understanding about our province and inspire curiosity and wonder. We are passionate about sharing British Columbia's story with the millions of visitors who walk through our doors and explore our web site each year.
Behind the Scenes
Underwater Observation Network
www.rosm.ca
The Underwater Observers Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is protecting the biodiversity of our aquatic environments, raising awareness and educating the public about its role and its importance.
To achieve its mission, the Rosma has prioritized the following areas:
1) Create and develop a georeferenced database on aquatic community. 2) Contribute to raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of species, ecosystems and maintaining their health. 3) Develop and / or facilitate access to tools to help identify species. 4) Facilitating access and dissemination of information collected. 5) Foster a closer networking between scientific communities and the public.
UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association
www.snbra.ca
The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR) is a UNESCO designated region which comprises a large portion of southwestern Nova Scotia, a province situated on Canada's Atlantic and Bay of Fundy coast. SNBRA represents coastal and inland ecosystems and encourages sustainable practices, conservation, and capacity building. The southwestern part of Nova Scotia not only has a diverse array of cultures but is a hotspot for biodiversity. The SNBR contains 75% of Nova Scotia’s species at risk. SNBRA supports conservation efforts by researchers, organizations, and volunteers and seeks a balanced relationship between nature and culture.
USC Canada
usc-canada.org
USC Canada was founded in 1945 by Dr Lotta Hitschmanova to provide humanitarian relief to refugees and other victims of human conflict. In the 1950s to 1970s, our work expanded to support newly independent countries in Asia and Africa.
From the late 1980s, USC has been supporting farming communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America through our award-winning Seeds of Survival program. Our approach is grounded in respect for the knowledge and skills that farmers have built up over generations.
We support their struggles to stay on the land, grow more food for their families, while respecting the environment and promoting crop biodiversity.
whybiodiversity.com
www.whybiodiversity.com
The da Vinci Arts and Science Environmental Leadership Program of 2010 is a group of 24 grade 11 students from across the Upper Grand District School Board. As a group we have agreed to take on a project to promote biodiversity. Life on Earth today consists of countless variations of life forms. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, our goal is to create artwork to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity. Our class has filled the empty spaces inside the city buses in Guelph, Ontario with our art that we donated. Our posters inform the public about biodiversity and encourage individuals to have a positive impact on, reduce threats towards and protect biodiversity. We would like to continue educating the public about biodiversity. We have set up this website to inform people about biodiversity. We hope that more and more people spread the word about declining biodiversity. We hope that people will become more aware about our planets biodiversity. We hope that people will not only make 2010 the year but extend "the year of biodiversity" into 2011 and even further into the future.
Wildsight
www.wildsight.ca/education/classroom
The mandate of Wildsight Education’s school-based programs is to develop ecological literacy. We seek to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes to foster a conservation ethic in students, and to help prepare future leaders for the challenges of sustainability. Through our Education in the Wild field trip programs, we have provided curriculum-based, experiential education programs to 30,000 students and 1,050 teachers in elementary and high schools for a decade. These field trips help students understand the components and processes of nature – our life support system.
Wings Over the Rockies
www.wingsovertherockies.org
Over a seven day period in May a very special celebration will take place in the Columbia Valley in the Canadian Rockies. It is a celebration that is born out of what we know about the place in which we live.
'The Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival' conjures up an image of all that is great about Canada... spectacular scenery, abundant nature and a warm, human spirit of getting together in a worthy cause. The world over, when people think of Canada, they think of the glory of the Rockies. When you combine this with the upper reaches of the mighty Columbia, you have an unsurpassed natural setting. The continuous wetlands along the river are perfect as breeding areas and staging places for a significant number of bird species. This and the many other habitats provide a variety of ecosystems which will bring joy to any naturalist. But the idea of this festival goes far beyond a "get-together" of serious naturalists. It is an ideal chance for everyone to learn and share the excitement of nature "in the flesh" so to speak.
Calendar - Events - Bird Festival
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