Steering Committee:
Leslie Adams, Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources, ON
John Coombs, Nature Manitoba, MB
Joseph Hnatiuk, Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists, SK
Gabrielle Krezschmar, New Brunswick Partners in Agriculture, NB
Larry McDermott, Plenty Canada, ON
Wendy Thomson
ElectricGreen Environment News, ON
Caucus Coordinator:
Jessie Sadler
Tel: (613) 728-9810 ext. 224
Fax: (613) 728-2963
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Biodiversity Caucus
Mandate
 The Biodiversity Caucus mandate is to move society, by enhancing interested member groups’ capacity, to inform, promote and advocate on:
- the conservation, promotion and equitable sharing of genetic, species and ecosystem biodiversity and function;
- the conservation and improvement of conditions that support biodiversity; and,
- the importance of biodiversity as a primary determinant of a sustainable biosphere in Canada and abroad.
Through consultation, information sharing and formulation of joint action plans, the Biodiversity Caucus works to influence all sectors of society to recognize and act in a way that reflects that biodiversity and resilient ecosystems are the basis for all life.
The caucus will, as a critically important part of its mandate, assist key stakeholders in meeting the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The three objectives of the Convention are:
- To conserve biological diversity;
- The use biological diversity in a sustainable fashion; and
- To share the benefits of biological diversity fairly and equitably
Consultations
The biodiversity work of the RCEN was formerly coordinated through the Forest Caucus and later through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Working Group. In striking a Biodiversity Caucus in June 2009, attempts were made to compile biodiversity-related consultations under the Biodiversity Caucus heading. For this reason, past consultations may refer to the Forest Caucus or the CBD Working Group.
In Progress: current consultations in which caucus members are participating.
Closed: view past consultations in which caucus members have participated.
* Please note that ENGO Reports related to consultations can be found on these consultations webpages.
Workplan
Other Projects and Activities
Comments from members of the Caucus:
Comments from members of the Steering Committee:
RCEN Biodiversity Best Practices Handbook Now Available!
The RCEN is pleased to announce that our “Biodiversity Best Practices Handbook 2009: Case studies from the environmental non-government sector” is now available in both official languages on the RCEN website (click the link above).
This handbook features twelve projects from within seven of Canada’s terrestrial ecozones that were selected as representative best practices of what environmental NGOs are doing to help increase or protect biodiversity from coast to coast to coast. More…
Launch of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity
 The United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) to highlight the crucial role that biodiversity plays in supporting all life on Earth, including our own. IYB marks the 2010 Biodiversity Target aiming to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by this date.
The RCEN joins actors from around the world to work together to raise awareness on biodiversity and form a global alliance for the promotion of life on Earth. The RCEN Biodiversity Caucus will use this opportunity to engage Canadian civil society on key biodiversity issues through education, public awareness and participatory policy processes. In honour of the International Year, biodiversity has also been selected as the theme for the RCEN 2010 Annual Conference on the Environment. Additional information on RCEN biodiversity activities will be posted shortly.
To find out more about the activities that are taking place in Canada and worldwide, please visit these websites:
For more information or to find out how to get involved, please contact Sarah Heiberg, National Caucus Coordinator, at 514-833-9810 or at sarah@cen-rce.org.
Eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit‑sharing
Larry McDermott (Plenty Canada) was supported by Environment Canada to co-host a side event at the Sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (WG 8J 6) on 3 November 2009 and to participate in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit‑sharing (WG ABS 8) on 9-15 November 2009, in Montreal. Information on the side event, entitled “Applying Traditional Knowledge and Practices to Sustainable Forest Management and Recovery of Species at Risk” can be accessed here. Read the delegate report from WG ABS 8
International Day for Biodiversity 2009
The theme for the 2009 International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) was Invasive Alien Species - one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, and to the ecological and economic well-being of society and the planet. On May 22, organizations in countries around the world held events to celebrate IDB and to raise public awareness and showcase their work to prevent and manage invasive alien species. In Canada, the RCEN selected 11 lead Environmental NGOs in each province and in the Yukon Territory to organize outreach and education activities for IDB 2009. Read more…
International Day for Biodiversity 2008
In order to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues, the United Nations proclaimed May 22nd as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD). In 2008, under the theme of Biodiversity and Agriculture, events took place in Canada and around the world to emphasize the value of agricultural biodiversity for food security, human nutrition and improved rural livelihoods. The RCEN selected seven ENGOs in different regions across Canada to undertake outreach and education activities for IBD 2008. Read more…
COP 8 and COP-MOP 3 2006 Meetings in Curitiba, Brazil
The RCEN selected ENGO representatives to attend the Third Meeting of the Parties (MOP 3) of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the Eight Conference of the Parties (COP 8) of the Convention on Biologic Diversity, which took place between 13 and 30 March 2006, in Curitiba, Brazil.
The Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements for the Environment and the Development (FBOMS) and IUCN called on civil society organizations and social and popular movements to participate in related civil society forums and consultations in advance of these meetings. Read more…
Related Links
* Please note that the RCEN is not responsible for the content of external sites
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