On March 23rd and 24th the Toronto Zoo Education Auditorium was a buzz of activity for the Social Marketing and Chelonian Sustainability Workshop. The workshop brought together more than 100 people to discuss the challenges facing Ontario’s turtle species at risk and how best to use the process and tools of Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) to change public behaviours to better these populations. The workshop was kicked off with presentations from some of the world’s most respected turtle experts, Dr. Justin Congdon and Dr. Ron Brooks. Presentations followed from researchers from across the province on issues of legislation, ecology, and threats related to multiple species of turtle. The evening finished with an engaging and inspirational talk from Kathleen Martin, founding member of the Canadian Sea Turtle Network and accomplished author of several children’s books. The second day of the workshop featured expert practitioners from both the public and private sectors who presented case studies and advice on applying CBSM to species at risk conservation. The day ended with a practicum from Hélène Gaulin, of Parks Canada, who guided the group through the CBSM process with a series of exercises that equipped attendees with the knowledge needed to jump start programs in their own corners of the country.

Click on Agenda and Presentations to view the speaker list as well as abstracts and powerpoint presentations from this year’s workshop.