Have you ever wondered what the term “Cumulative Effects” really means and how it affects us all? There is growing awareness from project stakeholders that an integrated, comprehensive cumulative effects assessment process is needed to balance the social, economic and environmental impacts of project development.

This seminar will explore the concept of ‘Valued Ecosystem Components (VEC’s) including fisheries, wildlife and habitat values, how baseline information is collected including the incorporation of traditional knowledge and finally, how cumulative effects are monitored through time. Please join us for this informative session where open dialogue, networking and collaboration will be encouraged.

This Environmental Stewardship Seminar will explore ‘Cumulative Effects as part of the Environmental Assessment Process’. This Seminar is part of a multi-disciplinary series of training sessions designed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to educate First Nations on current and relevant topics of interest. The subject of “cumulative effects” was selected in response to feedback received from the previous year’s Environmental Learning Regimes (ELRs).

Cumulative Effects Defined
Over time, the effects of multiple projects on the land can result in long-term changes for people, wildlife and the land. These changes are called “cumulative effects” because the sum of their impacts is greater than the impacts of a single project.

Seminar Overview
The intent of this training session is to inform First Nation people on the basics of cumulative effects, which will include discussions on Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) such as fisheries, wildlife and habitat values; an introductory definition of cumulative effects and how they pertain to past, present and future actions; a description of how baseline information is collected and how traditional knowledge can be incorporated into assessments; and how cumulative effects are monitored through time. The speakers have a variety of backgrounds and will include appropriate government representatives, First Nations, consultants and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

AANDC will facilitate this seminar in collaboration with Golder Associates Ltd.

Seminar Objectives
This workshop will allow participants to:

• understand the definition of Valued Ecosystems Components (VEC’s) as they relate to cumulative effects management,
• review how baseline information is collected and how Traditional Knowledge can be incorporated into environmental assessments, and
• receive updates on Provincial/Federal initiatives with regard to Cumulative Effects Frameworks and Working Groups.

Speakers 

• Brock Simons, Senior Wildlife Biologist; Golder Associates Ltd.
• Kuni Albert, Environmental Scientist; Golder Associates Ltd.
• Chief Liz Logan, Chief, Fort Nelson First Nations
• Matt Horne, Regional Director; Pembina Institute
• Germaine Conacher, Consultation Manager; Calliou Group
• James Witzke, Environmental Assessment Coordinator Gitxaala Nation; Calliou Group
• Dr. Stewart Cohen, Senior Researcher Climate Research Division Environment Canada
• Keith Atkinson; Chief Executive Officer; First Nations Forestry Council
• Eric Valdal, Team Lead Cumulative Effects; BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO)
• Sara Howard, Senior Policy Advisor; Ministry of Environment (MoE) BC Representative on Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) Cumulative Effects Working Group

Who should attend?
Up to two (2) representatives from your community are invited to attend, and we encourage each community to send a team from across disciplines/departments. This workshop will be directly relevant to Administrators, Environmental staff, Economic Development Officers, Land Management Officers, and Band Council Members.