Mainstreaming Ecosystem Services in Ontario: What’s needed, and what’s available?

The Ontario Network on Ecosystem Services held its second annual forum on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, in Alliston, Ontario. Over 50 attendees from various backgrounds came together to discuss and learn more about bringing ecosystem services to the mainstream.

Click below to read a summary of the key highlights from the panels and presentations.

Summary of the ONES forum Mainstreaming Ecosystem Services

Program

Welcome and introductions
Provided by Jo-Anne Rzadki (Conservation Ontario)

Ecosystem Services 101: What they are and why they matter
Presented by Eric Miller (Green Analytics)

Panel 1: What information is available, and what is needed?
Panelists included Andreas Link (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources), Judi Brouse (Muskoka Watershed Council), and Mark Henry (Statistics Canada)

Moderated by Tatiana Koveshnikova (Credit Valley Conservation Authority)

Panel 2: Inspiration from Abroad
Presentations from James Salo (TruCost), Bobby Cochran (Willamette Partnership), Marian Weber (the Centre for Market-Based Instruments), Paul Thomassin (Québec Centre for Biodiversity Science working group on ecosystem accounts), and Jasmin Hundorf (TEEB: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity)

Facilitated by Jeff Wilson (Green Analytics)

Panel 3: What strategies should we use to engage Ontarians?
Panelists included Jode Roberts (David Suzuki Foundation), Christine Schmalz (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association), and Steve Hounsell (Trees Ontario)

Moderated by Kathy Macpherson (Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation)

How should ONES support the mainstreaming of ecosystem services in Ontario?
Presentations about the priorities and possibilities of the network were followed by small-group discussions about actions, resources, and engagement

Conclusions and next steps
Provided by Mike Puddister (Credit Valley Conservation Authority)

 

Direct questions to secretariat@ONEcosystemServices.ca