Candidate info
Particular qualifications:
I am well versed with the IUCN statutes, terms of references and other documents as well as procedures of CEM. I have had and have several leadership roles (chairing effectively meetings) over the past 30 years. I currently am the Deputy Chair of the Commission on Ecosystem Management and co-lead for the Thematic Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity Policy and Practice (2021-present), and Vice-chair of the North American region (2016-present). In the past I also led the Ecosystem Governance Thematic Group (2016-2021) and the Ecosystem Based adaptation to Climate Change Adaptation (2013-2016). I also was a member of the Organizing committee of First World Forum of Ecosystem Governance with the CEM-IUCN (Beijing, 2015). I am also on the IUCN Academy Advisory Committee (2023-present) and chaired the Knowledge Management Strategic Plan committee (fall 2024- January 2025). I currently am a member of the Board of Directors of Nature Canada (IUCN Member) (October 2023 – present). I have been the President of the Commission of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) (June 2018-June 2022; Honorary President, June 2022-2023) and President of the Natural, Social and Human Sciences Sectorial Commission of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO; Chair of the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (under the North American Agreement for Environmental Cooperation) (December 2000 – December 2001. Appointed by Hon. Christine Stewart); member of the Science Advisory Board of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (appointed by the Assistant Deputy Ministry, Dr Wendy Watson-Wright; October 2005—November 2009); member of the Policy Development Committee of Plant Canada (2005-2008); member of the selection committee for the Canadian International Development Agency, Tier 1 UPCD projects (appointed by Hon. Susan Whelan. 2002 –2006).
Experience in fields of concern to IUCN:
I believe that my experience can greatly contribute to the work of the Commission. Briefly, my areas of expertise relevant to IUCN missions are vast as my work as a researcher/ professor include aspects such as species-at-risk conservation management, ecosystem management, restoration, monitoring, climate change mitigation and adaptation, community engagement, and policy recommendations. My professional experience is diverse, from professor and consultant to role as administrator in universities (e.g. Department Director, Vice-President Research). As researcher, a large component of my activities and projects relate to conservation and ecosystem management in various countries. In the past, I was an associate consultant at CBCL Limited in Halifax, for scoping assessment for species at risk during environmental assessments (1997-2001). I have worked on biodiversity conservation assessments, restoration, ecosystem management and monitoring as principal investigator with Kejimkujik and Kouchiibouguac National Parks, and Fort Beausejour. Since 2014, I hold the UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: From Local to Global at Brock University. As the chair, I am either PI or co-PI on projects in the field of impacts of extreme events on ecosystems and communities, climate change in sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem/landscape sustainable development, climate change adaptation and resilience in rural and coastal communities in Canada, China, Ecuador, and West Africa. My CV gives more information.