The A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium is an annual event that originated in 1993. Today, it provides a forum for practitioners, policy makers, students, researchers, and non-government organizations to discuss challenges and opportunities in the conservation movement in Ontario while sharing new tools, techniques and strategies for natural resources management. The Symposium has grown to be Ontario's most prestigious and well-attended annual conservation conference. The event is hosted in November, each year, by Conservation Ontario, the network of 36 Conservation Authorities.
The theme of the 18th annual A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium – Water: The Future of the Source looks at the current state of our water resources in Ontario and attempts to forecast the quality and quantity of our water resources (subject to various stressors) that will be available in the upcoming years.
How do we ensure we have enough clean, sustainable water sources for all our uses – for technologies, a resilient environment and for all of us individually? Delegates at this year’s AD Latornell Conservation Symposium will discuss Ontario’s water issues in the context of climate change, future demands, relationship of natural and built infrastructure and how it all relates to human health and water management.
November 16, 17 & 18, 2011 at the Nottawasaga Inn Resort in Alliston, Ontario. Registration will be available in early August.
The A. D. Latornell Conservation Symposium Steering Committee plans and manages the event and has representatives from various Conservation Authorities, Federal and Provincial Ministries, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and a wide variety of nonprofit environmental organizations. A complete list of Partners and Committee Members is found on the Symposium’s website.
As well, the A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium appreciates support from a wide variety of partners including government, nonprofit environmental organizations and business. There are currently five primary levels of partnership support:
Each year, approximately 1,000 delegates attend the Symposium. This includes almost 200 presenters. Delegates include representatives from Conservation Authorities (42%); Provincial ministries (18%); Private/Consulting (11%); Non Governmental Organizations (11%); Municipal (5%); Academic (3%); Federal (3%); and Others (7%).
Delegates who are in need of support such as students, volunteers or nonprofit organization representatives may apply for an A.D. Latornell Grant. The grant covers the registration and accommodations costs to attend the Symposium.
Students currently enrolled with any educational institution (required student identification number) receive a 50% discount towards registration costs.
Each year, the symposium hosts 10 different program streams including:
Other Symposium Highlights:
The Symposium is held in the memory of Arthur Douglas Latornell (1923-1991), a leading conservationist whose tireless dedication to the grass roots conservation movement in Southern Ontario fostered a legacy of environmental milestones for years. Mr. Latornell was a strong mentor to young people who were interested in the field of conservation and he was an important promoter of Conservation Authorities across Ontario.
The A.D. Latornell logo was designed to represent the significant aspects of Art Latornell's life and legacy.
The logo is a silhouette of an ancient tree, which represents the conservation of natural resources and Art's long-standing interest in the natural world.
When viewed in the negative however, the white areas formed by the trunk contain the profiles of two people, a young student and an older man, with their heads lowered as if studying something on the ground. This view of the logo represents Art's belief in the importance of mentoring and teaching which he practiced in his lifetime and which continues through his bequest in the Latornell Programs.
Organizations and agencies involved in conservation such as Conservation Authorities, universities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies can make one nomination per year for the Conservation Pioneer Awards. An individual who has made long-term contributions and achievements, through their work, a career or volunteer effort in the conservation field is eligible. The Latornell Symposium Steering Committee reviews nominations on an annual basis and chooses up to five recipients to be recognized at the Latornell Symposium. Conservation Pioneers are honoured at the Pioneer Luncheon.
The A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium hosts the annual graduation ceremony for the Young Conservation Professionals Career Development Initiative (YCP-CDI). This is organized by the University of Guelph’s Centre for Land and Water Stewardship. This program provides professional development and leadership training for land and water conservation professionals in Ontario. Each year approximately 20 young professionals are recognized at a special luncheon.
The A.D. Latornell Symposium Steering Committee hosts the annual Dream Auction during the Symposium’s Gala Banquet Dinner. This event is a wonderful way to support the fundraising efforts for the A.D. Latornell Grant, which provides funds to assist students and representatives from nonprofit organizations to attend the Symposium.
The Symposium has adopted the EECOM Green Conference Guidelines and is using these with the Nottawsaga Inn, exhibitors and presenters to further reduce the overall ecological footprint of the symposium.
Since 2007, the A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium, in partnership with the Nottawasaga Foundation and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, started planting trees in the New Tecumseth area in order to help offset carbon emissions created by delegates' travel to the event. The Symposium Steering Committee encourages an approach whereby carbon emissions are saved, or at least significantly reduced where possible, and only offset when and where they cannot be saved. Through this approach each of us can accept carbon responsibility and therefore affect positive change in carbon emission in our atmosphere.
Further efforts to reduce the ecological footprint of the Symposium include reducing the amount of printed material handed out to delegates upon arrival and purchasing 100% clean, renewable energy for the Symposium through Bullfrog Power (www.bullfrogpower.com). Bullfrog sources power exclusively from generators, which meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo standard for renewable electricity. By making the choice to use Bullfrog Power, the Latornell Symposium is not only helping fight climate change, but also helping to advance the development of renewable power in Ontario.
Working with the Nottawasaga Inn, the Symposium promotes local food sources. The Nottawasaga Inn ensures that many of the menu items included are locally grown produce & farm raised products.
Symposium Coordinator:
Ken Anderson
E-mail: ken@allsetinc.com
Tel.: 905-562-1222
Media Contact:
Steve Sauder
E-mail: sauders@thamesriver.on.ca
Tel.: 519-451-2800, ext. 275
Conservation Ontario Contact:
Jane Lewington
E-mail: jlewington@conservationontario.ca
Tel.: 905-895-0716, ext. 222
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