Biodiversity Days and Events in 2010

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, and there are a number of provincial, national, and international events planned to help celebrate and raise awareness of the full variety of life on our planet. Click on the title of each event for more information.

April 5-11: National Wildlife Week

Held every year during the second week of April, National Wildlife Week celebrates Canada's native plants and animals and encourages citizens to take part in conservation activities.

April 22:    Earth Day

Earth Day, which always falls on April 22, is the most widely celebrated environmental event in the world. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, held in the United States in 1970. It is also the 20th anniversary of the first International Earth Day.

May 20:     Urban Biodiversity Conference

This conference for the general public will explore how we can preserve biodiversity in our cities as human populations become increasingly urban. It will be hosted at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

May 22:     International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity was created by the United Nations to improve understanding and awareness of biodiversity. This year's theme is Biodiversity, Development, and Poverty Alleviation.

June 4-6:   Youth Summit for Biodiversity

The Youth Summit is a weekend for high school-aged people to learn about Ontario's biodiversity, the opportunities we have to protect it, and the conservation challenges that we face. It will be held at Camp Cedar Glen in Schomberg, Ontario.

July 17:      Canada's Parks Day

Canada's Parks Day is a chance to celebrate the contributions that provincial and national parks make to biodiversity conservation. Events will be held at various parks across the country.

Nov. 21:     World Fisheries Day

World Fisheries Day occurs every November 21, and recognises the importance of sustaining Earth's aquatic resources.