Biodiversity lecture this week

Nipissing’s Masters of Environmental Science/Studies program is pleased to present Dr. John Waithaka, conservationist biologist, Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation Directorate, Parks Canada Agency, for a special presentation on November 23, at 1 p.m. in room R308.

Here is an abstract of Waithaka’s lecture, titled Role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity and supporting human well-being:

Human well-being is dependent directly and indirectly on biological diversity - which thrives in healthy, natural environments. Life on the planet is under severe threat from unprecedented loss of biodiversity, particularly over the last century. Global efforts to reverse the rate of biodiversity loss have not been effective, and all current assessments show that most of the key drivers of biodiversity loss are increasing in intensity. This loss is likely to become one of the greatest environmental and human welfare challenges in the next decades. Protected areas are an essential part of the global response to these challenges. The talk will highlight the increasing role of these areas as cornerstones of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, and as critical tools for providing natural solutions to many societal challenges and life on earth.

The lecture is free of charge and all are welcome.