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Ontario Nature's First Annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity with Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar June 4-6, 2010 - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Ontario Nature's First Annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity with Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar June 4-6, 2010

May 31st, 2010 7:07 AM

MEDIA ALERT Attn: Environment, Wildlife, Conservation Reporters and Editors Ontario Nature's First Annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity with Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar June 4-6, 2010 Schomberg, Ontario - Celebrate the rich diversity of all the life forms on our planet at Ontario Nature's first annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity - a unique 3-day event taking place at Camp Cedar Glen. In the International Year of Biodiversity, Ontario Nature is bringing together youth aged 14 to 17 from across Ontario at its first annual Youth Summit to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and how to protect it. Young people will attend workshops led by scientists, researchers and conservation staff on endangered species, birds of prey, nature photography, bird banding and much more. Saturday, June 5, will feature Dr. Roberta Bondar, neurologist, nature photographer, environmental educator, and Canada's first female astronaut, who will give the keynote presentation. The following day, youth leadership expert, Matt Tod, will deliver the second keynote presentation and hold a workshop called Leading change in the world by learning to lead yourself. Participants will engage in fun, dynamic and educational activities that include guided hikes and stargazing as well as leadership workshops held by the Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada and the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots and Shoots program. The Summit is part of Ontario Nature's Nature Guardians Program, where children and youth aged 5 to 18 take part in hands-on environmental education activities that help young people discover their potential as leaders and nature advocates through conservation volunteering. Children and teens also play a defining role in the planning, delivery and ongoing evaluation of the program through the Youth Advisory Council. Ontario Nature would like to give a special thank you to the generous sponsors of this inaugural Youth Summit, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Mountain Equipment Co-op. INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: To set up an interview with Dr. Roberta Bondar, please contact Christine Yankou at (416) 481-5847. Media interested in attending workshops or presentations at the Youth Summit for Biodiversity can contact Lenore Nadeau at (416) 444-8419 ext. 222 or email lenoren@ontarionature.org. -30- Media release and information about the 2010 Youth Summit for Biodiversity can be found at www.ontarionature.org. For further information, please contact Gabe Camozzi at (416) 444-8419 or email gabec@ontarionature.org. For interviews with Ontario Nature staff or any media related inquiries, please contact the Director of Communications, Victoria Foote at (416) 444-8419 ext.238 or victoriaf@ontarionature.org. Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters and 140 member groups across Ontario (charitable registration # 10737 8952 RR0001). For more information, visit www.ontarionature.org.