On Tuesday, November 15th the newly formed Ontario Network on Ecosystem Services (ONES) is hosting a full-day forum on eco-system services in Ontario. This event will bring together re-searchers and practitioners work-ing on ecosystem services to dis-cuss where we are and where we’re going.

The Forum:
Possible topics include:

• Valuation of ecosystem ser-vices
• Incentive mechanisms for pro-tection and restoration
• Influencing policy develop-ment
• Implementing payment for ecosystem services (PES) programs
• And more…

The forum will consist of:

• Short presentations
• Panel discussions
• Facilitated discussions
• Poster displays

We are currently inviting anyone who is interested in contributing as a presenter, panel member, discussion facilitator, and/or poster presenter.

Interested?
Submit a brief abstract (1 page or less) describing yourself, your area of interest and how you would like to contribute.

Deadline is Monday, August 15th, 2011
For submissions or general ques-tions, contact:

Mike Halferty
mhalferty@oforest.ca
416-493-4565 ext. 225

Don't miss the first ever SPLASH Floating Water Festival on the shores of Lake Simcoe in Jackson's Point! The 2011 Festival will be a cool day of fun and discovery, inspired by water.

Try some 21st century water sports. See a robot that measures water quality. Hear and play the invention that will turn Lake Simcoe into the world's largest musical instrument. Learn from experts about lake-friendly gardening. Enjoy local food and have a picnic. Make art with kids. Jam with six groups of wandering musicians. Do some cool water shopping - and more! It's amazement, entertainment and learning for the whole family.

Why have a water festival?

SPLASH is the first step towards developing an iconic Water Centre for Innovation, Research and Learning in Georgina that will make our Lake synonymous with creativity and water leadership. You can take part in helping float this wonderful idea that will inspire innovation and entrepreneurship, help Ontario be a Water leader and Canada take its place as a water rich yet water conscious nation.

Tickets:

$7.50/adult and $15/family (2 adults & 2 children, $3/additional child).

Click here to buy tickets online.

This 15 hour training program is designed for individuals who want to gain tree-related knowledge and skills. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about trees, and how to properly care for them then this course for you!

Each session provides basic arboriculture training which includes a combination of indoor and outdoor instruction. The final day of the course includes a group tree planting, putting the knowledge learned to practice. Registration is required for our fall sessions, which can be found here: http://www.yourleaf.org/tree-tenders-volunteer-training

Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave East, Toronto
$50/$70 with course material (+HST)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, September 29, 2011, 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011, 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Though a quiet ravine, Milne Hollow once played an important role in Toronto’s cultural and industrial history. Guest host Peter Heinz, Vice-Chair of the Don Watershed Regeneration Council, will examine relics of the last century including a former ski hill and an historic farm house. The City of Toronto’s efforts to combat the invasive species dog strangling vine and other re-naturalization efforts will also be examined.

Come get your hands dirty while greening your local neighbourhood! Join LEAF and Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto, in mulching trees and shrubs at Milne Hollow. Native trees and shrubs are essential to improving the quality of water in Milne Hollow Pond and in the Don River. They also help reduce the speed and quantity of water that flows during storm events. You’ll help to rehabilitate this former industrial site, one crucial to storm water management in the East Don Watershed.

On Friday, September 16, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will host its 11^th annual Water Forum in Cambridge, Ontario. The theme of this year’s event is “A Sustainable Watershed: Can We Get There From Here?”

The cities of the Grand River watershed are among the fastest growing in Ontario. The surrounding agricultural areas are among the most productive in the country. The cost of all this development - urban and rural - has been high as many natural areas have been paved over, drained or cleared. Climate change adds another layer of uncertainty. The challenges, opportunities and current process for tackling these issues will be discussed at the Forum.

For more details, see the flyer. Click Here!

You may also visit http://www.grandriver.ca/waterforum for details. Please contact Cam Linwood at clinwood@grandriver.ca or 519-621-2763 x 2251 if you are interested in exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.

Many thanks.

Regards,

Katherine Balpataky

Please join John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and former Chief of Staff to U.S. President William J. Clinton in a discussion on how Ontario and other jurisdictions should be positioned in the global clean energy race.

Mr. Podesta has served on the US National Security Council and also as co-chair of President Obama's transition. He has a wealth of knowledge about energy and economic policy.

Date: Wednesday, July 13 5:30 -7:30 pm
Location: MaRs Discovery District, Atrium, 101 College St.
This is a free event, but space is limited.

Please RSVP by Friday, July 8th to events@wwfcanada.org or by calling Carla Martella, Events Manager, at 416-484-7718

WWF and Environmental Defence are proud to work together to extend this invitation to you.

Join us for our upcoming one-day workshop on Building Strategic Partnerships to Create Adaptable Urban Forests — a hot topic of interest for municipalities and community groups interested in joining forces to protect urban forests from existing and emerging threats, including those intensified by climate change.

Clean Air Partnership and the Town of Oakville are pleased to announce that this expert-led, technical workshop will take place on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road.

On behalf of Clean Air Partnership and the Town of Oakville, we look forward to welcoming you to this event.

Sincerely,

Eva Ligeti, Executive Director                                               Mayor Rob Burton
Clean Air Partnership                                                                 Town of Oakville

Who are we?

We are a growing network of researchers, film makers, activists, indigenous peoples, students, teachers, and youth who want to encourage dialogue about climate politics by creating democratic spaces where all Canadians and other international guests can participate in discussions about what a changing climate means at home, across Canada and internationally -- and what we can do about it! We are inspired, hopeful, and engaged Canadians and early career researchers.

What are our objectives?

1. To connect Canadians who have something to say or share about their experiences within a changing world.

>>>> LET’S SHARE!

1. To work together to voice the important issues that should be the focus of climate politics at the upcoming November COP 17 meetings in Durban, South Africa, and thereafter.

>>>> LET’S ACT!

What are we going to do?

York University’s Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS) and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) would like to co-host a virtual workshop September 27-29, 2011 to organize in advance of the 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties in Durban, South Africa (COP 17). The agenda is being developed through an online collaborative process. Content prepared before, during and after the workshop will be disseminated widely using IRIS, APECS, IsumaTV and other websites (e.g., blogging, webcasts, and news feeds). Prior to the workshop, each attendee’s research objectives, findings, and discussion questions about problems yet to be addressed will be made available on partner websites. This will allow workshop sessions to focus on discussion and development of more targeted questions. This process is being used to prepare proposals for COP 17 Side Events.

In other words, as a collective group, we will need to:

1. decide on 3-4 possible side event application topics and elect coordinators (from the organizing committee and/or workshop attendees) to lead discussion and development (online sharing of resources) of each application for COP 17 (July 2011);

2. submit side event applications through York or other eligible organizations with observer status (August 16-19, 2011); and,

3. participate in pre-COP 17 workshop(s) based on our side event proposals in preparation for COP 17 (September, 2011).

Why is this important?

In 2009, York University’s IRIS hosted its first Ecojustice Conference which brought together activists and academics from the Global South and the North to discuss climate change and community-based responses. Participants worldwide agreed on the need to discover new ways to mobilize, respect traditional knowledge, incorporate community assets and needs in policies, and cherish diversity. Our hope is that this September's workshop, Climate Justice II, will help build a network of researchers and community members interested in being part of an ongoing knowledge co-production process by creating a space for imaginative dialogue leading up to, into, and beyond COP 17.

Why get involved?

Participation in Climate Justice II will allow attendees to share their experiences formally (film screenings or presentations) and informally by identifying and engaging in dialogue about issues they care about. The themes selected for inclusion in the workshop will be used as the basis to propose a range of side events at the COP 17 meeting, and other actions. We hope to send representatives to Durban, and to continue our collaboration on climate justice, action and politics.

Partners in democratic action on COP 17

York University’s Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS: http://www.irisyorku.ca/)

Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS: http://www.apecs.is/)

Isuma Productions (http://www.isuma.tv/isuma-productions)

Others are welcome!!

For general inquiries please contact rhirsch@yorku.ca.