Invasive Species Council of Manitoba

Manitoba Biodiversity Network

By: Sandi Faber Routley, ISCM Invasive Species Technician

Various agencies and individuals held an informal meeting, September 2009, in Winnipeg to discuss the formation of a local network to celebrate the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). The Manitoba Biodiversity Network, or Bio-Net for short, was established out of this meeting. The slogan is "Biodiversity - Your life support system" (with the logo yet to be finalized).

Bio-Net includes representatives from Manitoba Conservation, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Zoological Society of Manitoba, Living Prairie Museum, Fort Whyte Alive, Invasive Species Council of Manitoba, Manitoba Museum, Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre and the University of Manitoba, as well as a number of private citizens. Cheryl Heming (Coordinator) and I are representing the ISCM.

 It is estimated that the World's Biological Diversity exceeds 100 million species, including many yet to be discovered. The number of micro- and macro-flora and fauna in Manitoba may be over half a million species. The common goal of Bio-Net is to increase awareness and appreciation of both Manitoba's, and the World's Biodiversity.

Every 2-3 months, Bio-Net members meet to discuss IYB activities planned for 2010. A campaign to submit 52 articles on varying topics of local biodiversity is also underway. Upcoming events and articles will be posted on Nature North at www.naturenorth.com. Nature North is an online nature magazine dedicated to celebrating the biodiversity of Manitoba.

 The designation of 2010 as the IYB by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was fueled by the unprecedented loss of biodiversity across the planet, which is estimated at 1000 times the natural rate as a result of human activities, and expected to rise further as a result of the impacts of climate change.

 The official launch of IYB 2010 took place on January 11, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. Ten thousand participants are expected to celebrate the IYB in October at the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan. The closing ceremonies- coinciding with the launch of the 2011 International Year of Forests- will take place in Ishikawa, Japan in December.

 Details on the worldwide celebration of IYB 2010 and the international events scheduled can be found on the Convention of Biological Diversity website at www.cbd.int/2010/welcome.