January 27, 2023, traditional unceded Algonquin Territory/Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) staff from across the country will be attending the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver, on February 3-9, 2023.
Hot on the heels of COP15, IMPAC5 will bring together Marine Protected Area managers, Indigenous leaders, decision makers, scientists, and advocates from around the world to chart a course to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. IMPAC5 will close with a one-day high-level Leadership Forum on February 9, which will be attended by the Ministers of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as notable international marine conservation experts.
In addition to the congress, the IMPAC5 Ocean Festival, a free public event for all ages, will be held at Jack Poole Plaza on February 3 and 4. The festival will feature live musical entertainment by a diverse roster of top artists from across Canada, and programming to educate and inspire festivalgoers about ocean conservation. With plenty of family-friendly activities, food trucks, and more, CPAWS encourages everyone to come celebrate the ocean alongside IMPAC5 delegates.
CPAWS is honored to be a key partner to the Government of Canada and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and one of the host organizations of IMPAC5, alongside three host Nations, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and the government of British Columbia. The Congress is held every four years under the auspices of the IUCN.
“IMPAC5 will bring together the best minds in marine conservation from around the world to set a global vision for ocean protection. Marine protected areas are for more than ocean health – they are also a good investment. Now more than ever, it is critical that we protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 in strong marine protected areas to safeguard the most important and vulnerable ecosystems and species, bolster Indigenous-led conservation, and ensure our vibrant ocean wildlife, habitats, and coastal communities can recover and flourish for generations to come. As Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to protecting Canada’s public land, ocean, and freshwater for 60 years, CPAWS is proud to be a key partner of IMPAC5,” says Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director of CPAWS.
As part of its presence at IMPAC5, CPAWS is hosting an evening event on February 5 with world famous ocean scientist and conservationist, Dr. Sylvia Earle, in partnership with the Guardian. CPAWS is also hosting a reception on February 6 in partnership with SeaBlue Canada to celebrate the work of Canadian ENGOs (environmental non-governmental organizations) on national marine protection. There will be several presentations by CPAWS staff, and a significant CPAWS presence on the Ocean Expo floor in the ENGO Caucus pavilion. More detailed information on CPAWS’ key partnership at IMPAC5 is noted below.
The CPAWS delegation includes representatives from the National office in Ottawa and seven regional chapters spanning Canada’s Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic coasts.
Spokespeople from our National office and chapters are available for media interviews to comment on events and respond to IMPAC5 or government announcements. Contact information for interested media can be found below.
Event Highlights:
| Date | Event |
| February 3 3:00-5:00 PM PT | Opening Ceremonies Includes remarks from Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director, CPAWS Location: Vancouver Convention Centre Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 3 5:00-7:00 PM PT | Opening Reception: In-Person Only Location: Vancouver Convention Centre Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 3 5:30-9:00 PM PT February 4 1:00-9:00 PM PT | Ocean Festival Featuring CPAWS and Friends Tent Location: Jack Poole Plaza FREE! All ages welcome |
| February 4 4:00-5:30 PM PT | Session: Sea-ing Blue. Reflections on ENGO Collaboration on Canada’s Marine Conservation Targets Includes Alex Barron, National Director, Ocean Program, CPAWS (with SeaBlue Canada Coalition) Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 114-115 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 4 5:00-7:00 PM PT | Poster Session: Why Protect Western Hudson Bay? The Global Significance of Canada’s Great Inland Sea Ron Thiessen, Executive Director, CPAWS Manitoba Riley Chervinski, Polar Bear Campaign Manager, CPAWS Manitoba (with Oceans North) Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Ballroom Foyer Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 5 11:50-12:05 PM PT | Presentation: Strengthening Canada’s Marine OECMs. Lessons from Using the MPA Guide to Assess ‘Marine Refuges’ in Canada Bani Maini, Research and Conservation Coordinator, CPAWS Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Ballroom B-D Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 5 6:00-8:00 PM PT | Ocean Festival Event: Celebrating the Ocean and Conservation with Art. A workshop with local artist Clare Wilkening Hosted by CPAWS British Columbia Location: BC Institute of Technology (BCIT), Downtown Campus Click link above to register |
| February 5 7:00-8:00 PM PT | Ocean Festival Event: An Evening with Sylvia Earle Presented by CPAWS in partnership with the Guardian Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Ballroom A Click link above to register |
| February 6 11:30-12:30 PM PT | Session: Decolonizing Environmental Non-Government Organization Advocacy Work for Marine Conservation and Marine Protected Areas Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager, CPAWS British Columbia Natalie Groulx, Senior Conservation Coordinator, Ocean Program, CPAWS Véronique Bussieres, Director Biocultural Conservation, SNAP Québec Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 215-216 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 6 2:00-3:30 PM PT | Knowledge Sharing Session: Flippin’ Paper Parks. How Do We Fix Ineffective MPAs? Alex Barron, National Director, Ocean Program, CPAWS Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 205 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 6 4:00-5:00 PM PT | Presentation: Discovery and Protection of Unique Glass Sponge Reefs in British Columbia Carlo Acuña, Ocean Conservation Campaigner, CPAWS British Columbia Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 116-117 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 6 6:00-8:00 PM PT | Side Event: An ENGO Networking Reception. A Deeper Dive into Ocean Protection in Canada Hosted by CPAWS and SeaBlue Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Ballroom A Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 7 5:30-7:00 PM PT | Side Event: Omushkego Forever. Conserving Canada’s Great Inland Sea CPAWS Wildlands League and Mushkegowuk Council Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 111 -112 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 8 11:30-12:30 PM PT | Presentation: Ensuring Equity and Ecological Integrity. A Just Transition to a Blue Conservation Economy in Canada CPAWS National Ocean Program and Keila Stark Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 109-110 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 8 2:00-3:30 PM PT | Presentation: Results from Early Adopters of the MPA Guide. Canada’s MPA System Natalie Groulx, Senior Conservation Coordinator, Ocean Program, CPAWS Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Room 116-117 Must be registered delegate or accredited media to attend |
| February 9 All Day | Leadership Forum Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director, CPAWS Alex Barron, National Director, Ocean Program, CPAWS Meaghan McCord, Executive Director, CPAWS British Columbia Location: TBD By special invite only |
This advisory is available on the CPAWS media webpage, and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
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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.
About IMPAC5
On February 3-9, 2023, the world’s leading ocean conservation professionals will meet in Vancouver, Canada to chart a course towards protecting 30 % of the global ocean by 2030. The Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) will bring together ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials to inform, inspire, and act on marine protected areas. IMPAC5 will be jointly hosted by the Host First Nations—xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh Nation)—together with the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Alongside the Congress, IMPAC5 will feature a number of exciting events, including the Ocean Festival.
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Tracy Walden
National Director, Communications and Development, CPAWS
[email protected]
613-915-4857
Jenn Brown
Senior Communications Coordinator, Ocean Program, CPAWS
[email protected]
416-389-6668
Mirella Von Lindenfels
Director, Communications INC Limited
[email protected]
+447717 844 352