BCSLA Annual Conference, Showcase and AGM, May 11 to May 13, 2023

Our keynote speakers include:
 
Colleen Mercer-Clarke, FCSLA, APALA - Generously Sponsored by Wishbone Site Furnishings
As both a coastal ecologist and a landscape architect, Colleen is an advocate for interdisciplinary approaches to the sustainable and resilient integration of nature and society.  Before completing her doctorate in 2010, Colleen had over 30 years experience in industrial and commercial planning and design, and in the restoration of contaminated sites.  Throughout her career she has sought, promoted and fought for, nature-based approaches to development.  Currently, through her work to advance action on the crises posed by both climate change and biodiversity loss, Colleen is a strong advocate for the rights of nature and for the shared benefits of nature-based solutions to modern world problems.  In addition to on-going national and international advisory roles on climate policy and action, Colleen was the founding Chair of the CSLA Committee on Climate Action, Chair of the International Federation of Landscape Architect’s Working Group on Climate Change and Chair of the Committee on Professional Practice and Policy (IFLA).  Currently, she serves as the IFLA Special Envoy and Voting Member to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.  In 2021, she was elected to the Board of the Canada Committee for the IUCN, where she also chairs the CC-IUCN Committee on Climate Change. 
 
Eli Enns, IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Co-Founder, President and CEO
Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous-led conservation. From Tla-o-qui-aht Nation on his father’s side, and of Dutch Mennonite heritage on his mother’s side, Eli promotes holistic solutions for community and ecosystem health and well-being. With a background in political science, Eli is a ‘Nation-builder’ with values and approaches rooted in Indigenous economic theory and practice.  In 2017, a decade after co-founding the Ha-uukmin Tribal Park in his own territory, Eli co-chaired the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) for the Pathway to Canada Target 1, which culminated with the groundbreaking 2018 report, We Rise Together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. IPCAs are now a central component of Canada’s conservation efforts. Eli supports Indigenous Nations across Canada to advance their conservation efforts via his roles with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation and the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership.