Welcome to the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network (CBIN): Canada's node in the International Clearing-house Mechanism (CHM) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The site, which is coordinated and maintained by the Biodiversity Convention Office of Environment Canada, covers the latest developments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and information on implementing the Convention in Canada through the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy (CBS). It also provides efficient access, through the search icon, to biodiversity-related information from academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, and governments, on topics such as Canadian environmental activities, agreements, technologies, expertise and much more. If you are simply curious, the site also includes a few amazing biodiversity facts.

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was negotiated in response to the world-wide loss of biodiversity, one of the most significant threats facing the global environment. It was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) in June 1992. Canada signed the Convention at that time and, in December 1992, was the first industrialised country to ratify it. The Convention came into force on December 29, 1993; to date, 188 countries have become Parties. Canadian focal points have been designated for a number of issues covered under the Convention, including the Global Taxonomy Initiative, Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

In November, 1995, Convention Parties voted to locate the permanent secretariat of the Convention in Montreal, where it now has a staff of more than 40 people.

An introductory tour of biodiversity issues is found in the issues section. Invasive alien species, stewardship, the Equator Initiative and the Global Taxonomy Initiative are among the many national and international issues introduced on the site.

Governments, museums, companies, special interest groups, academic institutions, communities and individuals all share responsibility for protecting and conserving biodiversity in Canada and for using our biological resources sustainably. The Biodiversity Convention Office is working to support and facilitate the efforts of these groups through increased sharing of information and experiences.

The goal is to make Canadians better able to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. What can you do to protect biodiversity?

To learn more about the Biodiversity Convention Office's activities and resources, click on the appropriate button on your left. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please inform us by providing us with feedback.

If you or your organization has information to add to the CBIN database, please visit the input section and follow the simple instructions. The material accessible through CBIN comes from anyone wishing to share biodiversity-related information.