Webinars on the Draft B.C. Biodiversity & Ecosystem Health Framework

WEBINAR OVERVIEW

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) has developed a draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (‘the Framework’) based on input from First Nations and multi-sectoral parties, including industry, local government, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

The purpose of the Framework is to reflect the Province’s commitment: to prioritize the conservation and management of biodiversity and ecosystem health in British Columbia, and to formalize this priority through legislation and other enabling tools. It is the first step in creating awareness and a common understanding on which to build, i.e., before undertaking the co-development of policies and the legislative changes needed to achieve the outcomes in the Framework.

The draft Framework reflects initial ideas and commitments in order to have a starting point on which to base our discussions. The draft is based on research, jurisdictional scans and the comments received through provincial and regional workshops, webinars and open calls related to broader work on the Old Growth Strategic Review of which the Framework stems from (Recommendation 2). Various 1:1 meetings were also held with technical advisors. We offer our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the collaborative engagements, including technical partners from Nations, who offered their thoughts and prompting questions and to all those who gave their time and effort in helping shape the draft Framework.

The Province is seeking to have further conversations on the draft Framework as we work to finalize it by early 2024.

You are invited to attend a webinar of your choice to share your thoughts and hear directly from others. Your insights will help shape the final Framework that prioritizes biodiversity and ecosystem health. Your participation will also help to the start conversations on the implementation of the Framework.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR DATES

The following webinars are being offered to indigenous and multi-sector parties, local government, environmental non-governmental groups and other interested parties (The province is also holding separate webinars specifically with First Nations). Please choose from the following when you register, should you wish to attend:

· Thursday, November 30, 2023: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

· Monday, December 11, 2023: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

· Wednesday, January 3, 2024: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

All webinars will be facilitated to allow for ideas to be shared and discussed between webinar participants and ministry staff in a respectful and collaborative way.

REGISTRATION

Please register by the week before the chosen webinar. Registration is free, and your business information will be required to ensure participation. Once your registration has been collected, background information and a link to attend the session will be shared in advance of the webinar to support meaningful and informed participation.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please email:

Biodiversity.Ecosystemhealth@gov.bc.ca

Thank you for your interest. We hope you or a designate from your organization will attend these webinars with us.

Sincerely,

Celine Davis

Executive Director

Ecosystems Branch

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship