Session 

Session Date

Agenda

Resources

2021 Ontario Biodiversity Summit Summary: Key takeaways and priority actions

Read about the key lessons learned and priority actions from each of the Summit sessions. 

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2021 Ontario Biodiversity Summit Summary

Opening session: Nature-based solutions for the 21st century

The opening session of the 2021 Ontario Biodiversity Summit focused on “Bending the Curve of Biodiversity Loss – a roadmap for a sustainable future.”

The session reviewed recent assessments on the state of biodiversity at the global, national and sub-national level and detailed progress against corresponding biodiversity goals and targets.

A panel session of experts discussed opportunities for nature-based solutions to achieve multiple wins for biodiversity, climate change and for people.

May 26, 2011

ON Biodiversity Summit Opening Session Agenda

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Youth round table: A call for the future

Youth from across Ontario identified and discussed priorities for the post-2020 Ontario Biodiversity Strategy. The session focused on the state of biodiversity at both the provincial and international levels, and the associated strategies that have been developed to address biodiversity loss.  Participants shared ideas to contribute to a Youth Call to Action that will be presented to the Ontario Biodiversity Council.

May 25, 2021

ON Biodiversity Summit ELB Youth Round Table Agenda

Visit the Emerging Leaders for Biodiversity web page

A decade of biodiversity: Successes and challenges in biodiversity education and awareness

Biodiversity education and awareness continues to be of crucial importance on a local, provincial, national and international scale. For this reason, an education and awareness task team was created: the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN). BEAN’s priorities are based off targets and goals in Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy 2011. This session explored the successes and challenges of communicating biodiversity with a discussion of how these efforts can be improved in the future.

May 27, 2021

ON Biodiversity Summit – A decade of biodiversity communications – Agenda

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How do I do this? An environmental career podcast live panel discussion

Are you trying to kickstart your career in the environmental sector, but are feeling a bit lost? Following the success of Emerging Leaders for Biodiversity’s career-based podcast, this session featured a live panel discussion with four previous podcast guests! Panelists discussed breaking into the environmental field, tips and tricks for getting yourself hired, and the dos and don’ts of navigating the hiring world. 

June 3, 2021

ON Biodiversity Summit ELB Career Podcast agenda

Visit the Emerging Leaders for Biodiversity website

Listen to the panel discussion podcast

Restoring biodiversity and ecological connections

This session featured four panel discussions profiling large-scale habitat restoration needs and opportunities. Restoration offers us a chance to curb biodiversity loss by creating habitat and enhancing connectivity on the landscape while providing increased ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and flood mitigation. Ecosystem restoration contributes to the green economy by creating jobs and generating demand for locally and sustainably grown native plants and seeds.

Topics of discussion included restoration policy, and the importance of seed conservation strategies in meeting biodiversity targets within restoration timelines, using “the right native species in the right places for the right reasons.”

June 24, 2021

ON Biodiversity Summit Restoring Biodiversity Agenda

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Restoring aquatic biodiversity

The natural aquatic biodiversity in Ontario, with 250,000 lakes alone, is a remarkable endowment. This full-day session consisted of four panels that evaluated the experience of sustaining natural aquatic infrastructure and restoring damaged ecological functions. One panel summarized advances in the measurement of the state of aquatic biodiversity (species, genetic, community). Another debated the appropriate balance of the tools of protection, restoration and offsetting. A third considered connections between Ontario aquatic policy and international agreements related to aquatic biodiversity. The final panel explored equitable and diverse public engagement in aquatic biodiversity issues.

July 15, 2021

ON Biodiversity Summit Restoring Aquatic Biodiversity Agenda

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Session resources sorted by panel 

July Video Series – Community Science: a tool for biodiversity education and engagement

Community science provides an engaging opportunity for the public to explore the nature around them and connect with biodiversity. With so many projects and tools available at their fingertips, it’s never been easier for people to submit observations, contribute to science and learn more about the natural world in their communities.

Using 3 different pre-recorded videos, this session explored different ways community science engages the public.

Ecospark community science resources

Community Science Programs

August Video Series – Prioritizing biodiversity education in a changing world

In a changing world, the way biodiversity is taught must adapt to keep it relevant and relatable to its audiences.  And, in an ongoing global pandemic, virtual learning has dominated the education scene.

Using pre-recorded videos, this session will explored how educators and biodiversity programs have adapted their teaching and the technologies used, along with the advantages and disadvantages of virtual education.

View the August Videos

Reducing threats to Ontario’s biodiversity

This session examines the current threats to Ontario’s biodiversity, both on a large and small scale. Experts in the field give overviews on how issues such as climate change, invasive species, habitat loss & resource use impact biodiversity and what steps can be taken to reduce these threats.

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Mainstreaming biodiversity within agriculture

This session examines the need to balance food production and food security with the conservation of biodiversity and the critical ecosystem services it provides, including climate resilience. Current best management practices, challenges, and future opportunities to advance both biodiversity and climate-friendly agricultural practices are profiled and recommended for the multiple benefits they can achieve.

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Mainstreaming biodiversity within forestry

This session speaks to how biodiversity is mainstreamed within forestry planning and operations within Ontario, and more broadly within Canada.  Current best management practices, challenges, and future opportunities to advance forestry practices for both biodiversity and climate benefits are profiled and recommended for the multiple benefits they can achieve.

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Mainstreaming biodiversity within business

The session speaks to the need to change business from being a driver of biodiversity loss to a driver of protection and restorative action, as well as the competitive advantages for doing so. Efforts to mainstream biodiversity within business and industry sectors are profiled through both guidance and certification programs and case studies, followed by emerging business drivers for investment and recommended actions.

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Funding biodiversity and nature-based climate actions

This session will highlight the importance of biodiversity and nature-based solutions in contributing to fighting climate change and why financial institutions have taken notice and must take action.

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Investing in natural infrastructure for biodiversity and climate resilient communities

This session will speak to the need for public sector accounting to be able to reflect the monetary value of natural assets in Canada and the need to invest in natural infrastructure (wetlands, forests, grasslands) to attenuate the effects of extreme weather events on people, the insurance industry, and on biodiversity.  Potential benefits will be discussed and profiled through both existing programs and its application for the design of new urban developments. Emerging business drivers for investment, policy requirements and recommended actions will be discussed.

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Summit wrap-up

Enjoy a re-cap of the 2021 Ontario Biodiversity Summit, including key take-aways and highlights in this wrap-up video featuring Steve Hounsell, Chair of the Ontario Biodiversity Council. 

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