Brandon University invites you to join environmental activist Ken Wu of the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance and world renowned conservation biologist Dr. Reed Noss for informative and inspiring presentations on the science, geography, and politics of protecting nature in Canada as we commence 2020, the year in which an unprecedented focus on biodiversity conservation by the international community will take place.

The public event is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in Theatre B of the Brodie Science Building. Admission is by donation, with $5 to $10 suggested. Proceeds go to support the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance.

Wu will present on “Canada’s Amazing Ecosystems: From Temperate Rainforests to Grasslands,” looking at the diversity of ecosystems across Canada, the Canadian and international context for expanding protected areas as we head towards the October 2020 UN Biodiversity Conference, and the campaign to build a movement that engages both the conservation movement and non-traditional allies including businesses, unions, faith groups, academics, and outdoor recreationalists.

Dr. Noss’ presentation is entitled “Now is the time to protect ecosystems on a vast scale” focusing on the importance of ecosystem conservation as a necessary complement to species conservation. By protecting representative ecosystems across all ecoregions of Earth, we protect the vast majority of species without having to worry about most of them individually. Dr. Noss’ presentation will underscore the need to think big and aim for protecting an average of at least 50% of all ecoregions globally.

“This event is a key opportunity to build momentum towards biodiversity protection in Manitoba and contribute to a vital international movement,” said Dr. Kristen Lowitt, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment who is helping organize the event. “I’m really excited to have these leaders in conservation and the environmental movement join us at BU.”

Wu is the executive director of the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance, a new national conservation organization advocating the science-based protection of native ecosystems, seeking to engage non-traditional allies of the environmental movement, and working to support Indigenous Protected Areas. He was previously the co-founder and executive director of the Ancient Forest Alliance and the executive director of the Wilderness Committee’s Victoria bureau. He graduated from UBC’s ecological science program and has also worked as a biologist and tree-planter.

Noss is a writer, photographer, lecturer, and consultant in natural history, ecology, and conservation. He was formerly Provost’s Distinguished Research Professor of Biology at the University of Central Florida. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Conservation Biology and President of the Society for Conservation Biology. He is an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has 340 publications, including eight books. He is currently working on a book on the endangered ecosystems of North America.