Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

A workshop is being organized to discuss the feasibility and desirability of establishing a Canadian Biodiversity Observation Network (CAN BON) to transform Canada’s capacity to research, survey, and monitor biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystem services in ways that will better inform management and conservation. The emphasis of the workshop will be: (1) identifying existing initiatives, data and resources related to biodiversity observation and monitoring that could contribute to a CAN BON; and (2) evaluating ways that a CAN BON could enhance these initiatives through improved integration, collaboration or syntheses. 

NSERC, ECCC, DFO, PC and CSA are convening a workshop to discuss a potential Canadian Biodiversity Observation Network (CAN BON) that could transform Canada’s capacity to survey, manage and conserve its biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystem services to support our transition to a sustainable economy. Existing biodiversity monitoring programs in Canada are delivered by many different players and occur in many different forms. These range from large-scale informal citizen science projects to statistically designed monitoring of managed species such as migratory birds or mammals, to inventories of rare species, to intensive site-specific monitoring, to use of satellite imagery for mapping and monitoring ecosystems. Linking these efforts could lead to synergies and efficiencies in analysis and reporting. Key to this will be improving interoperability of different data types and adopting common and open protocols for monitoring and inference.  This will facilitate identification and targeting of gaps in coverage, and ultimately greatly strengthen efforts to conserve biodiversity in Canada.

This call for expressions of interest is intended for Canadian groups, institutes, networks, or teams (including federal, provincial and territorial government groups) who are currently undertaking significant biodiversity monitoring activities and related research. Interested parties are invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to NSERC by 8 p.m. (ET) on May 31, 2021. To submit an EOI please fill out the CAN BON EOI form online and submit the completed form to the NSERC Secure site.

More information regarding this workshop can be found here: NSERC - Media Room - Latest News - Workshop on a Canadian Biodiversity Observation Network (CAN BON) (nserc-crsng.gc.ca)