By Don Pearson, General Manager, Conservation Ontario
Next Wednesday (November 16) marks the beginning of the 18th edition of the A.D.Latornell Conservation Symposium. Co-hosted by Conservation Ontario and the University of Guelph, the Symposium brings together more than a thousand people with a common interest – Ontario’s environment! The event provides an important forum for practitioners, policy-makers, environmental nonprofit organizations, business, academics, and young conservationists to meet, network, and share information.
The forum has been described by leading participants as “one of the most important environmental symposiums in North America”, a description which I believe is well deserved. I believe the main reason for its success – defined by the high quality of presenters, keynote speakers, and participants – is because the Symposium doesn’t really belong to any particular organization anymore - it belongs to the participants. They provide the organizing committee with a rich list of themes and presentation topics which are timely and relevant, and with speakers and presenters who are interesting, lively and experts in their field.
The Symposium is a place where innovation is born, strategies are debated, and new partnerships are brokered. In a constantly shifting and tight economy, and a stressed environment grappling with the impacts of rapid growth and climate change, there is a need to be more nimble; to work in closer collaboration; and to leverage resources and knowledge. The A.D. Latornell Symposium provides a unique opportunity for practitioners, professionals and students to meet, develop relationships, and inspire each other – a purpose for which the Symposium’s namesake, Art Latornell, would be proud!
