Biodiversity Education and Awareness Links

General

To protect biodiversity we need to understand it.  That’s where the new State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2010 can help.  This report measures the health of Ontario’s biodiversity based on 29 indicators such as wetland losses and freshwater quality.  This information can help us make better decisions about where to focus our efforts to conserve biodiversity.  To learn more about the report and the shorter ‘highlights’ version, please visit the Ontario Biodiversity Council website.

Biodiversity in Greater Sudbury (City of Greater Sudbury) See what Sudbury’s doing to enhance biodiversity in that city, including development of a Biodiversity Partnership and a Biodiversity Action Plan. This could be a blueprint for your town or city.

Biodiversity (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) Learn about MNR's role in supporting and protecting biodiversity, as well as Ontario's species and ecosystems, and biodiversity in general.

Biodiversity: general information and links by Ontario Nature.

Biodiversity and Natural Values (Ducks Unlimited Canada) How biodiversity provides the fundamental building blocks for natural systems that produce ecological goods and services with real economic value.

Canadian Biodiversity Information Network (Environment Canada) Links the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy to general public awareness and biodiversity-related information on a wide range of topics. Includes an Education & Awareness section.

The Canadian Biodiversity Website (McGill University) This a good site to start with to get a Canadian-based introduction to biodiversity, including theory, ecozones, species and issues.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) This major international initiative draws attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, highlights the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and draws together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to identify practical actions for moving forward.

Environmental Education Ontario (EEON) provides comprehensive outcomes, needs and strategies for those involved in increasing environmental awareness and knowledge with 17 sectors of Ontario audiences. EEON also provides a listserve, links and networking for all audience groups and educators both formal and non-formal.

Explore Ontario's Biodiversity (Royal Ontario Museum) This site provides information about the distribution and status of Ontario's wildlife, by geographic region.

The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation commissioned, and is now proud to have published, the Measuring Success on the Oak Ridges Moraine reports. Two years in the making, the eight-volume study documents where we are with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan —successes, shortcomings, what’s working, what isn’t—and provides the government and other stakeholders with recommended actions and the data needed to plot a course that ensures its successful implementation and realization.

Ontario Stewardship. Ontario Stewardship Councils help good ideas become great projects. Learn more about Ontario Stewardship in your community!

Ten Reasons to Save Biodiversity (NatureServe) A succinct yet comprehensive look at the value of biodiversity.

Wild Species 2005, the General Status of Species in Canada A comprehensive assessment of where we stand in terms of Canadian biodiversity by taxonomic group. Well-organized and easily to use.

Citizen Science

Citizen Science is the monitoring and assessment of species and ecosystems by individuals and groups using standard protocols (for example, FrogWatch). This site provides information on how it's done and contains some of the protocols. In addition, it links to some of the citizen science opportunities in your region.

Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (Environment Canada) This site provides monitoring information, resources and links, including a searchable database of protocols and some programs, and the means to add standardized data from local monitoring efforts.

NatureWatch lets you learn about the environment while gathering the information scientists need to monitor and protect it. Data collected through NatureWatch is being used to add to our knowledge of the effects of climate change and other impacts on biodiversity.

Pollination Canada Discover insect pollinators by observing them, recording your observations, and submitting them to an on-line database. You will be assisting scientists to better understand these beneficial yet threatened species.

International Biodiversity Day

UN Convention on Biological Diversity General information on the day, and specific information on the themes and celebrations, 2002-2009.

International Biodiversity Day/Canada (Environment Canada) Information on the current year's theme, with links to an event planning guide.

Educators

Ontario's Back to Nature Network is a growing and diverse group of organizations uniting to build capacity to get children outside more often.  The development of the network is a response to Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods in which he coined the term "nature deficit disorder" to describe how a lack of nature connection is contributing to rising rates of obesity, attention deficit disorder and emotional issues amongst children.

Bring Back the Wild: Looking for ideas on how to bring biodiversity into your educational programs? Check out Earth Rangers’ - Bring Back the Wild - a fun & interactive program all about biodiversity!

The Program Includes:

• Curriculum linked activities & resources all about biodiversity.
• An amazing show with live animal ambassadors
• An initiative in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada where kids can raise funds to help protect one of four animals across Canada.

Canadian Outreach Guide to Plant Biodiversity Education (Royal Botanical Gardens, among others) This site serves as a resource to support outreach efforts of Canadian botanical gardens, museums and zoos related to plant conservation. Contains an extensive and constantly updated list of downloadable activities.

Envirothon (Ontario Forestry Association) A challenging environmental competition that gets high school students working in teams to explore the outdoors and receive first hand experience in natural resource sciences. The theme for 2009 is biodiversity.

The Green Wave Join with students and educators around the world to plant native trees and water them on International Biodiversity Day, May 22nd, at 10:00, creating a 'green wave" that will move around the planet!

Journey North View the migrations of Monarch Butterflies, Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbirds, and Whooping Cranes in real time, and access tons of information, newsletters, activities and lessons - sign up to become part of this incredible, interactive journey.

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE) provides high quality, objective, and relevant agriculture and food related learning materials and services for Ontario educators to enhance the learning experiences of students in Ontario classrooms

Resources for Rethinking Exemplary, peer-reviewed resources on a number of sustainability topics. Go to Search by Theme, look under Ecosystems and click on Biodiversity.

Step Outside: Your Guide to Nature's Events Step Outside, published two to three times per month, is a compilation of seasonal happenings that can be used to bring nature into your classroom, or your class into nature. These guides cover specific events related to plants, animals, weather and the stars, often taking place just outside your school, and include links to images or videos, calls, additional information, and useful programs or activities.

Teachers Lesson Plan Database Curriculum-linked lesson plans for Grades 2-6 by Ontario Parks' Natural Heritage Educators.

The Biodiversity Collection: Resources for Educators Produced by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), this publication reviews 47 of the best supplementary curricula related to biodiversity, and provides ordering information for each. It also includes an annotated bibliography that features general background information, children's books and magazines, multimedia resources, web sites, and a variety of other resources focused on biodiversity issues.

Youth Accord for Biodiversity   This accord was developed at the Second International Youth Symposium for Biodiversity, in Ottawa, July 2009, by 100 Grade 6 to 12 students from 9 countries.  Youth can sign the accord, join a Facebook group and get engaged in biodiversity protection and enhancement.

Ontario Biodiversity Science Forum

The Ontario Biodiversity Science Forum was put in place to focus the biodiversity science agenda and foster science partnerships in Ontario by identifying knowledge gaps and recommending science priorities, addressing Action Item 28 of Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy. Look for activities here related to biodiversity education and awareness.

The Science Forum recently convened a workshop to engage the broader biodiversity science community in its activities, and to provide an opportunity for feedback on the Forum's role, goals and activities. Its key findings recognize and address the need to engage and educate the public.

Events and Contests

Please check back frequently for new postings.

Enter the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest by submitting art, writing, or photography of your wild neighbors. The goal is to be as creative as possible - so let the natural world inspire you! Go wild with your creation and you could win amazing prizes, like a thrilling week of outdoor fun at Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.  Contest ends May 28. 

Ontario Power Generation, in partnership with several environmental organizations, sponsors a number of biodiversity-related events throughout the year. Check here frequently.

Invasive Species

Invading Species Awareness Program A partnership of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, ISAP provides free information (e.g. brochures, watch cards, stickers, signs, posters, education kits, prepared presentations) on invasive species, and what you can do to prevent their spread. Report sightings of invasive species.

Invasive Species in Canada A new web portal that serves as a gateway to information on Canada´s efforts to reduce the risks invasive species pose for the environment, economy and society. It provides links to credible sources on invasive species.

UN booklet on invasive species Excellent global introduction to the threat invasive species pose to biodiversity.

Garlic Mustard Identification and Control Excellent, 13-minute video; scoll about half-way down the page.

Species at Risk

Ontario's Species at Risk (OMNR) The why, what and how of the Province's Endangered Species Act, and species at risk in general.

Save Ontario's Species (Ontario Nature) Information on the Endangered Species Act and what you can do to help save Ontario's species.

Links to links

Educators Links (Environment Canada) Annotated; general list.

Link to Resources (OMNR) Annotated biodiversity links by category: elementary students, high school students, college/university/adult, and other.

Websites: Educational Material A broad and extensive, annotated list of web-based programs and resources.

Wildlife Watching (Ontario Nature) A linked list of organizations and contacts for turning 'watching' into 'monitoring' (citizen science).