Applied in both rural and urban settings, green infrastructure supports the environment, the economy, and our quality of life in a variety of ways. Green infrastructure includes living systems such as natural areas, forests, parks, streams and riparian zones, wetlands and agricultural lands, as well as engineered facilities such as green roofs, rain gardens and stormwater ponds. It can be implemented at multiple scales including regional networks of open spaces, agricultural lands, natural areas, and through site-specific practices.

The 2016 Latornell Conservation Symposium will showcase green infrastructure, and identify how it is supported, protected, and enhanced in our watersheds. Delegates will explore its applicability and benefits in relation to important issues in Ontario such as climate change, biodiversity loss, water management, economic development, improving public health, and fostering sustainable communities.

Several members of ONES will be presenting during sessions.

Grey to Green Conference 2016 includes a two full-day program with 52 presentations and panel discussions from over 60 industry experts. This conference is the leading forum for designers, policy makers, manufacturers, growers, landscapers, and more to discuss the benefits of the important green infrastructure industry, and how to grow it even further. The interdisciplinary conference will explore the latest science on green infrastructure performance, economic valuation and public policy developments, new technological developments, and best practices in design, installation and maintenance. The conference also includes a trade show, cutting edge training courses, tours of outstanding projects and networking special events.

The Annual Forests Ontario Conference is Ontario’s largest forestry conference. Close to 300 attendees join us every year to explore timely topics that help landowners and forestry professionals learn more about ways to manage their forests. The conference is a great networking opportunity, and an excellent time to meet those from around Ontario that are passionate about our forests.

Save the date! The 2016 Forests Ontario Conference will be taking place on Friday, February 5th at the Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston. Information about the 2016 Annual Conference will be posted in Fall 2016.

Please join The University of Toronto’s School of the Environment’s Environmental Finance Advisory Committee on June 4, 2015 at the offices of Torys LLP for “Natural Capital: Its Significance to Business & Society At Large”

Natural Capital is an emerging topic gaining great interest with the business and accounting communities. The academic community has long advocated that society is not according appropriate value to the wide range of ecological goods and services provided by Nature – services such as water regulation, air quality, carbon storage, habitat, and food production, among many others. This seminar is designed to give a broad overview of the many types of goods and services provided by Nature and approaches to placing a financial value on them.

Innovative approaches to financially valuing the natural world is already underway and affecting the way that many businesses manage their supply chains and create social license to conduct their operations. It is hoped that by establishing more formal ways to both holistically value and account for Nature’s services, society may be better-positioned to understand the true costs and trade-offs associated with managing and sustaining so many of the world’s finite natural resources.

The Committee is delighted to announce that it has assembled thought leaders with expertise in this rapidly emerging topic.

Panel Discussion with:

Brian DePratto, Environmental Economist, TD Canada Trust

Dan Kraus, Senior Director of Conservation Program Development, The Nature Conservancy of Canada

Barb Steele, Managing Director, Natural Step

Steve Hounsell, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council

Moderator: Patricia A. Koval, Partner, Torys LLP

There will be a Q&A session following the presentations.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

The 2015 Forests Ontario Conference will be taking place on Friday, February 20th at the Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston. Upwards of 300 landowners, forestry professionals, educators and those interested in the health of our forests will be exploring the theme of “One Forest”.

Our forest is one forest. The divides between urban, peri-urban, rural and remote forests are merely boundaries put in place by people. Living things do not know these boundaries, and the benefits we receive go beyond the trees that only surround us. How can we work closer together to ensure the health and prosperity of all of Ontario’s forests? It begins with seeing the forest as continuous, and that every tree in any forest has value. We will explore the interconnectedness of our landscapes and the importance of seeing Ontario’s forests as one continuous forest supporting diverse communities across the province. Topics include Heritage Trees, species migration, climate change and managing your woodlot, and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

Registration: Members $85
Non- Members $110
Students $35

This summit will connect people from a range of sectors from across Ontario – and around the world – to talk about, celebrate, and take action to protect biodiversity. Objectives include:

* Providing a forum to educate, energize, and engage stakeholders;

* Introducing a non-traditional audience to the importance of biodiversity and their role in implementing Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, 2011;

* Celebrating achievements, reflect on the state of Ontario’s biodiversity, and prioritize actions to 2020 to advance Ontario’s biodiversity conservation targets.

The summit will feature sessions on the topic of ecosystem services, insofar as information and the consideration of ecosystem services help to fulfill the objectives of Ontario’s biodiversity strategy. This strategy includes reducing threats to biodiversity, enhance resilience of biodiversity, and improving knowledge about biodiversity.

The State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015 will be formally released at the start of the summit.

A “youth summit” will take place in parallel at another venue and join the plenary sessions by a live video feed.