Innovation Through Collaboration and Networking
E nvironment Canada is developing new and more effective ways of engaging with the wider S&T system, both domestically and internationally, in order to leverage external resources and build synergies. The Department engages in a variety of arrangements with other researchers, institutions, and organisations in order to fulfill its mandate. These arrangements include networks, partnerships, joint ventures, collaborations, research chairs, co- location arrangements, adjunct professorships, and grants and contributions programs.
Today, about half of the Department's research work is conducted in collaboration with external researchers -- a higher proportion than the average collaboration rate for the whole of the federal government. In addition to being the single largest institutional performer of environmental research in Canada, Environment Canada is the main partner of each of the other top ten performers. The Department has already built significant S&T networks across the country, and is actively exploring new models of partnership and collaboration involving universities, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations.
The cross-cutting nature of many of the major environmental issues facing government has made partnering with other federal departments an essential part of doing business. Environment Canada collaborates extensively with other departments to conduct S&T on issues such as climate change, the health and environmental impacts of toxic substances and pesticides, managing watersheds and coastal zones, biotechnology, and emergency responses to natural hazards.
Environment Canada will continue to be in the vanguard, looking for innovative ways of managing and integrating the government's environmental S&T capacity. Its sustained effort on partnerships and networking serves to leverage resources, ensure that the Department's S&T is relevant, and maintain public trust in its S&T and thereby in federal environmental policy.
Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network
The Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) links organisations and individuals involved in ecological monitoring in Canada to better detect, describe, and report on ecosystem changes. The network is a cooperative partnership of federal, provincial and municipal governments, academic institutions, aboriginal communities and organisations, industry, environmental non-government organisations, volunteer community groups, elementary and secondary schools and other groups/individuals involved in ecological monitoring.
Environment Canada's EMAN Coordinating Office (CO) brings together those with common interests in ecological monitoring and research for the purpose of developing common techniques and protocols, promoting the sharing of data and information, and attempting to catalyse the production of integrated reports and information. EMAN CO, in partnership with the Canadian Nature Federation, hosts a series of NatureWatch programmesóFrogWatch, IceWatch, PlantWatch and WormWatchówhich encourage schools, community groups, naturalists, backyard enthusiasts, Scouts and Guides to participate in environmental monitoring.
