WILD

Celebrate Biodiversity!

This week, the Convention on Biological Diversity issued a press release highlighting some of the global celebrations of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.  WILD is proud to be an IYB partner and recognizes the importance of biodiversity.  Here are a few examples of IYB celebrations:

5 June, Kathmandu, Nepal – The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), celebrated World Environment Day at the centre’s headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. The ICIMOD observed the day with several national activities. A competition among the school children on „promoting herbal gardens within their school‟ helped educate school children about the importance of herbal plants and of conserving associated traditional knowledge.

8 June, Tacloban City, Philippines – June was Philippine Environment Month, an opportunity to foster public awareness about the urgent need to preserve the environment. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 8 organized lectures on biodiversity, development and poverty alleviation; climate change; and the IYB. These lectures were held at the Regional Office and at various schools and partner agencies in the region.

16 June, New Zealand – A photo competition is being held to mark the IYB. The Department of Conservation is calling for photographs that depict New Zealand’s biodiversity, such as native plants, animals, fungi or other wildlife.

19 June, Canada – Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced on behalf of Canada’s Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for two projects. In total, $16,830 in federal funding will help community members reduce pollution, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife and natural habitat. “Because 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity… I am particularly proud to announce community funding which will help enhance an eco-sensitive area in the Okanagan,” said Minister Day.  Read more on the announcement >

Activities and celebrations in countries around the world were featured in the IYB report.  Read how Japan, Singapore, Germany, Cambodia, the US and many others are celebrating biodiversity >

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