December 1, 2022, traditional unceded Algonquin Territory/Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) will attend the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to encourage Canada and the international community to land an ambitious new global deal to save nature. CPAWS is also urging federal, provincial and territorial governments to advance conservation action in Canada by supporting Indigenous Peoples’ land and ocean protection efforts, and developing a comprehensive plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Canada.

“All eyes are on Canada during COP15. We will be there to encourage our federal, provincial, and territorial governments to demonstrate global leadership by advancing actions, commitments, investments, and agreements that make possible our country’s promise to protect at least 30% of land and ocean in Canada by 2030 by supporting Indigenous-led conservation.” says Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director of CPAWS.

As part of its presence at COP15, CPAWS is hosting, co-hosting, or attending a number of events, and focusing on profiling Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Details are below.

The CPAWS delegation includes representatives from the National office and its 13 regional chapters, as well as representatives of First Nations from across Canada. These delegates will attend meetings with sub-national, national, and international government representatives, organize and participate in panels and events, and meet with other local, regional, national, and global conservation groups. We have spokespeople from the CPAWS delegation including representatives from our national office and chapters across Canada available for media interviews. Our Indigenous partner nations are also available to speak about their exciting projects.

Events:

Date	Event
December 6-8	Conference: Solutions to the Underlying Causes of Biodiversity Loss A side conference, hosted by CPAWS Quebec (SNAP QC) Location: Polyvalente Room, Sherbrooke Pavillon, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) Program Language: Bilingual, simultaneous translation available Registration open to the public
December 7 9:00-10:30 AM	Advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas on Land and Ocean COP15 side event, co-hosted by CPAWS and the Assembly of First Nations Location: Nature Positive Pavilion Program Language: English Watch the Livestream Open to CBD delegates and accredited media
December 7 2:00-3:30 PM	Knowledge-Sharing on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas COP15 side event, hosted by CPAWS Location: Canada Pavilion Program coming soon Language: Bilingual, simultaneous translation available   Open to CBD delegates and accredited media
December 7 5:00 PM	Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas Event COP15 side event, co-hosted by CPAWS Quebec Chapter (SNAP QC) and Essipit and Pessimit First Nations Location: Canada Pavilion Language: Bilingual, simultaneous translation available Open to CBD delegates and accredited media
December 9 5:30-7:30 PM	Supporting Indigenous-lead Conservation in Canada CPAWS-hosted reception Location: Intercontinental Hotel Language: Bilingual, English to French simultaneous translation available By Invitation Only
December 10 1:00 PM	March for Biodiversity and Human Rights Jointly organized by CPAWS Quebec Chapter (SNAP QC) and the Quebec Collectif (94 organizations) Location: Statue du Mont-Royal About the March About the Quebec Collectif Open to the public
December 14 10:00 AM	Sacred Natural Sites and the Global Biodiversity Framework COP15 side event, co-hosted by CPAWS Quebec Chapter (SNAP QC) and the UAPASHKUSS Innu group Location: Polyvalente Room, Sherbrooke Pavillon, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) Program Language: French Registration open to the public
December 14 6:15 PM	Safeguarding Caribou as Part of Our Web of Relations: A Path to Indigenous Cultural Resilience and the Protection of Indigenous Rights COP15 side event, hosted by CPAWS Quebec Chapter (SNAP QC) Location: Room 514C (Academia and Research) Program Language: French Open to CBD delegates and accredited media

CPAWS is also promoting the Nature Canada Bus Tour, taking place across Canada between November 26 and December 7. The NatureBus has been touring around the country to collect Canadians’ messages of hope for a plan to restore nature. These messages will be delivered to the Prime Minister at COP15 on December 7.

This advisory is available on our media webpage, and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

Throughout COP15, CPAWS delegates, speakers, and representatives are available for media interviews to comment on events and respond to COP15 or government announcements. Contact information for interested media can be found below.

CPAWS participation at COP15 has been supported with funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

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About CPAWS

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change. Our vision is that at least half of land, freshwater and ocean in Canada is permanently protected to sustain nature and people for current and future generations. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canada’s natural heritage, visit cpaws.org. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Donate today. Take action.

For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:

Tracy Walden
National Director, Communications and Development, CPAWS
[email protected]
613-915-4857

Jennifer Scott
National Manager, Communications, CPAWS
[email protected]
613-569-7226, ext. 234

Kate Toogood
We Can’t Wait Media Relations
[email protected]
780-914-5449

Charlène Daubenfeld
Communications Director, CPAWS Québec
[email protected]   
514-378-3880

Lauren Terbasket,
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
250-499-1940

Gwen Bridge
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
[email protected]
250-826-2265

Jewel Davies
Yukon First Nations Climate Fellowship
[email protected]
867-334-0542

Shauna Yeomans
Yukon First Nations Climate Fellowship
[email protected]
867-689-5941

Matthew Munson
Dene Tha’ First Nation
[email protected]
587-987-7372