"As we look forward to the 2011 International Year of Forests and the 2011‑2020 United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, let us maintain and accelerate the momentum this past year has generated. Let us continue working to ensure that life on Earth will persist in all its diversity and complexity, for the benefit of present and future generations."
From UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon's message to the closing ceremony for the International Year of Biodiversity, Dec 20, 2010.

BurlingtonGreen's Biodiversity Committee is working on local Forest Biodiversity during the 2011‑2020 United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.

Please contact us if you would like to join our Biodiversity Committee! We invite you to share your thoughts on ways to implement relevant targets locally.

INTRODUCTION TO BIODIVERSITY

What's biodiversity, you ask? Introduce yourself to the Web of Life with this light-hearted animated "Da Vinci Code" parody:

The Ontario Biodiversity Council coordinates our province's work on Biological Diversity. Check out the OBC's informative video, Our World, Ontario:

Digital design students at the Vancouver Film School recently published a cool video on biodiversity and its importance for human health and well-being.

Get indepth with this video from TED - Ideas Worth Spreading. Speaker Jason Clay presents How Big Brands Can Help Save Biodiversity. If you liked Food Inc, you'll enjoy this important message.

Read more about biodiversity in our seasonal Newsletters, and keep an eye out for chances to celebrate locally throughout the year.

BIODIVERSITY ACTION

Local

BurlingtonGreen spent 2010 celebrating the International Year of Biological Diversity. Early in the year, we signed the Countdown 2010 Declaration to Save Biodiversity and submitted our own Declaration, including a series of awareness, advocacy, and action commitments. We completed all of these commitments by early November, with close to two months to spare!

The BurlingtonGreen Stewardship Series!

We host or support a variety of stewardship events in Burlington, including invasive species removal events, cleanups, and native species plantings. Visit our facebook, calendar and volunteer pages to find out about opportunities to get involved. 

The BurlingtonGreen Stewardship Series is a great opportunity to really help the environment, have some fun and make new connections with BurlingtonGreen volunteers.

Provincial

In Ontario, the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN) coordinates and provides support for a province-wide celebration on International Biodiversity Day. Visit the coming events section of their web site to find (or register) an upcoming event near you!

National

Environment Canada invites you to get involved in biodiversity protection too: visit their websites cbin.ec.gc.ca and biodivcanada.ca to learn about important work being done nationwide, and share YOUR story!

International

Canada hosts the offices of the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal, Quebec. Visit the Convention's website to learn more about biodiversity worldwide. Follow the CBD on Facebook!

Join the Green Wave, an important awareness project by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Since 2008, students, schools, organizations, governments, and businesses have been planting trees on or near May 22nd, International Biodiversity Day. Burlington had its first Green Wave planting in 2009, at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters.

BIODIVERSITY NEWS

Agricultural biodiversity for nutrition and health Dr Emile Frison, Director General of Biodiversity International

Traditional aboriginal knowledge is critical to conservation -  By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

Trans Canada Trail is proud to partner with Environment Canada in promoting’s International Year of Biodiversity 2010 (IYB) to bring attention to the richness of our natural world that can be explored along the Trans Canada Trail.

Ontario’s Biodiversity Crisis: Time for Action

Check out the "Biodiversity Best Practices Handbook - 2009".

Biodiversity website for kids !

Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation Recognizing the Role of Biodiversity for Human Well-being

Okay, done reading! It's time to protect, restore, and sustainably use the biological diversity around us in Burlington. Let's get busy!

Take Action in 2010 and beyond, because ...

Biodiversity is life

Biodiversity is our life