9:55am – 10:00am
Opening Video: Presented by ExxonMobil
10:00am – 11:00am
Opening Session: Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Challenges and Opportunities
There is global agreement that action for nature must happen on multiple levels — from government policies to on-the-ground actions that push us all to create a better relationship with the natural world. For the private sector, working in harmony with nature means mainstreaming biodiversity into operations and engaging along supply chains to improve outcomes for nature. What are the challenges to mainstreaming biodiversity and where are the opportunities from government policy to industry initiatives? A wide-ranging conversation will cover government options from the EU and USA and will examine initiatives from the corporate sector seeking to drive change.
Award Presentation: Ibis Award
11:30 – 12:00pm
WHC Awards Presentation: Habitat and Education Projects
2:15pm – 2:45pm
WHC Awards Presentation: Species Projects
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Trees are Having a Moment: From Urban Landscapes to Reforestation, How Corporate-Driven Initiatives Bring Benefits Locally and Globally
Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation
The benefits of trees are wide and varied. They provide clean air to combat pollution, habitat for a wide variety of biodiversity, water filtration for clean water, recreation for well-being, and much more. Ultimately, these benefits contribute to mitigating climate change and energy consumption which create healthy communities and economies. Join us in this session with representatives from companies with exceptional programs which utilize tree plantings in urban and other areas to produce measurable that drive results for business, employees and communities.
9:30am – 10:45am
Featured Keynote Speaker | Kimberlyn Leary, PH.D., MPA: Thriving in a Changing and Changed World
In this year of crises – health, economic, racial, and the ongoing twin global emergencies of climate change and biodiversity loss – we must adapt our practices and business models to ensure positive change can happen. Prominent policy expert and leader, Kimberlyn Leary (Urban Institute, Harvard) joins WHC Connect for an engaging and timely conversation about adaptive leadership and authority, transformative thinking, and protection of the capacity of teams and people to think under crisis.
11:15am – 12:15pm
The Great Reset: Now is the Time to Build Back with Nature for a Resilient Future
2020 was meant to be the Super Year for Nature. Global gatherings such as the IUCN World Congress and CBD’s COP15 were meant to establish platforms for calls to action and commitments from governments, NGOs, private sector entities and scientists to restore and protect our planet’s resources. But while the pandemic wreaks havoc on those plans, there now exists an opportunity for businesses to recommit to nature. This session will explore how corporations have engaged with biodiversity and their plans for the future. The global initiative Business for Nature will be highlighted as an opportunity for business to engage.
Award Presentation: Corporate Leadership Award
1:15pm – 2:15pm
The Answer is Outside: Nature-Based Strategies for Employee Engagement
Sponsored by Ernst Conservation Seeds
Driving employee engagement during times of crisis is crucial. Those who are working from home may feel disconnected, and employees on-site (especially those indoors all day) may not have the same interactions due to social distancing. Ensuring the well-being of employees is at the heart of a nature-based strategy for employee engagement. Join this conversation about our rediscovery of nature during this time, the benefits of nature for employees – both working from home and on-site, and how nature-focused employee engagement programs have helped increase well-being and work effectiveness.
Award Presentation: Employee Engagement Award
Award Presentation: Gold Program Award
2:45pm – 3:45pm
The STEM Demand: Our Future Depends on Literacy in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Sponsored by Lehigh Hanson
In a recent opinion piece in the Washington Post, Joseph Allen noted that, “for the first time in history, nearly every scientist in the world is focused on the same problem. This is starting to pay real dividends.” Allen was referring to COVID 19, but professionals trained in STEM disciplines are vital to solving the world’s other increasing challenges such as clean water, energy consumption, climate change, connectivity and more. In this session, we will discuss how corporations are using their sustainability programs to incorporate STEM education for their communities, and how they are in working to create the passionate, driven and innovative thinkers of tomorrow who are vital for progress.
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