The Otonabee River flows through the centre of Trent University's campus in Peterborough-Nogojiwanong. The name Otonabee comes from the Anishinaabemowin word Odenabe, which means "river that beats like a heart."

And just like the river flows through campus, Summit organizers have worked to weave Indigenous perspectives and traditional knowledge throughout the event, to support reconciliation through conservation.

Target 3 of Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy is that "By 2030, biodiversity conservation programs and actions are inclusive, equitable and reflect Indigenous knowledge and diverse perspectives."

Join peers, experts, and friends at the 2025 Ontario Biodiversity Summit, where Indigenous knowledge and western science are integrated to address - and hopefully begin to solve - the biodiversity challenges facing Indigenous communities, businesses, industry, government, and all of society.

The summit will include 20 concurrent sessions and workshops from subject matter experts and innovators.

Session profile:

Innovative approaches to land conservation

While many areas of Ontario remain in their natural state, some of them, particularly those in south-central Ontario, are under threat of being lost forever.

Join moderator Alison Howson, from the Ontario Land Trust Alliance for the Innovative approaches to land conservation concurrent session to learn more about interesting strategies that Ontario-based conservation organizations are using to increase protected and conserved areas and reconnect communities with nature. 

"In order to strengthen our efforts to support nature and all our relations we have to use all the tools we have at our disposal. This means reducing barriers, bringing in other voices and perspectives, and creating innovative approaches to help us all scale our collective impact."

-  Session moderator Alison Howson 

Speakers for this session include Aaron Rusak from the Georgian Bay Land Trust, Kaitlyn Patterson from All Our Relations Land Trust, Nico Muñoz from the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and Thom Unrau from the Kawartha Land Trust who will share their experiences, knowledge and resources about getting creative with land conservation.

Alison says, “This session is ideal for anyone who would like to learn more about approaches to lands securement that are collaborative, innovative and bold. This session will provide insights into a variety of approaches that these organizations have taken to secure more land for nature and community.”

To learn more about this and other concurrent session at the 2025 Ontario Biodiversity Summit, check out the draft preliminary program and register here.