THE 3rd ANNUAL ADVANCING WOMEN IN CONSERVATION SUMMIT WILL TAKE PLACE IN 2025 BRITISH COLUMBIA!

Though well represented in volunteering, education and entry-level work in the field of conservation, you’ll find less women holding positions of authority at a level where decision making occurs. In fact, in most rooms where conservation decisions are being made, you’ll find women are the minority.

The Advancing Women in Conservation initiative aims not only to support the advancement of women into leadership roles, but to foster culture of respect for women working in these roles, seeking to empower and develop women as leaders within the conservation community.

AWIC is a chance for women from all fields conservation (NGO, government, academia, industry, etc) from all over Canada to come together to address challenges, discuss solutions, enhance leadership skills, and develop a strong, nurturing community for women working in a field where the roles of women have been traditionally downplayed.

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation & BC Wildlife Wildlife Federation are excited to announce the 3rd Advancing Women in Conservation (AWIC) Summit, taking place April 4-6, 2025 in Richmond, BC.

This weekend summit will focus on highlighting women’s unique challenges and contributions to conservation, action planning, and skill building while networking with women working and volunteering in the conservation and environmental sectors.

This event is open to women and men who currently work/volunteer/attend school, or plan to work/volunteer/attend school within the conservation and environmental sectors.

When: April 4-6, 2025
Where: Vancouver Airport Marriott, 7571 Westminster Highway, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada,
Room Rates: $259
Registration Fee: $325 includes meals, non alcoholic beverages, field trip fees, and access to all presentations.

Summit agenda will be available on the SWF website at swf.sk.ca/awic/ in the fall of 2024.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – DEMIESHA DENNIS, BROWN GIRL OUTDOOR WORLD

Demiesha Dennis is a dynamic leader and trailblazer in the outdoors community. As the Founder and Director of Brown Girl Outdoor World (BGOW) in Toronto, she is celebrated for her transformative contributions to community building and conservation. Under her leadership, BGOW is reshaping the outdoor narrative by fostering inclusivity, calling for equity, and redefining safer spaces for historically marginalized communities.

An accomplished angler, seasoned adventurer, and passionate community advocate, Demiesha blends her deep love for the outdoors with her expertise to drive and foster substantial and positive change. Her influence extends well beyond BGOW; she actively contributes her knowledge, experience, and expertise to various conservation and community engagement initiatives and is often consulted on matters related to institutional change.

Guided by her passion for being a voice that takes up and creates space in rooms where the representation of Black, Indigenous, and racialized individuals remain underrepresented, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Algonquin Park and sits on the Fisheries Advisory Committees for both Algonquin Park and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. With these roles, she provides valuable insights and recommendations aimed at maintaining the health and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and calls for a deeper look into how including diverse communities in the conversation is pivotal to the health and sustainability of these natural resources. Her involvement underscores her commitment to integrating conservation principles into outdoor recreation and management.

Demiesha’s proficiency in program development, design and execution, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy are central to her mission of enhancing representation and access in outdoor spaces. She is dedicated to empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to forge meaningful connections with nature, and she vehemently advocates for expanding participation in outdoor activities. Her work inspires, guides, and motivates a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and leaders to embrace and preserve the natural world.

AWIC IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2023 DOUG CLARKE MEMORIAL AWARD FROM THE CANADIAN WILDLIFE FEDERATION. TO READ THE MEDIA RELEASE, VISIT https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/06/20/2691584/0/en/CWF-Announces-Canadian-Conservation-Achievement-Awards.html

AWIC IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 RCE Saskatchewan‘s Education for Sustainable Development Award! RCE Sask Awards are presented to applicants who meet specific criteria, as adjudicated by a panel of post-secondary Saskatchewan experts in sustainable development. Within this criteria, projects must promote one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The AWIC Summit directly addresses Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by actively working to close the gender gap within the conservation sector and empower women to take on leadership roles.
To view more, visit https://saskrce.ca/2024-rcesk-awards/