May 22, 2026: Happy International Day for Biological Diversity! This year’s theme, as set out by the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity, is “Acting locally for global impact“, The campaign highlights the critical importance of efforts at a local scale to restore, protect and enhance biodiversity to drive change at a global scale, so that we can build a better, greener word and meet both the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework by 2030.
And, did you know that ACER has been acting locally for global impact for over 35 years? First, as a pioneer in riparian forest biodiversity monitoring as part of our Go Global program, established after the Convention on Biodiversity was adopted in 1993, and since then, through community tree planting and monitoring initiatives as part of ACER’s other programs, including Planting for Change (P4C) and Riparian Rangers amongst others!
If you want to learn more about ACER’s programs, visit our program pages here. And, if you want to learn more about this special day, its history and how you can help restore, protect and increase biodiversity, visit here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day.
How YOU can help restore, protect and enhance biodiversity in your community:
>In Your Community
• Join or support local greening and conservation efforts
• Participate in community green space clean-up events
• Participate in biodiversity monitoring programs
• Volunteer with ACER!
• Support ACER by making a donation today!!!
>In Your Daily Life
• Buy sustainable products
• Buy local and organic foods
• Reduce energy and water consumption
• Choose sustainable travel options
>In Your Yard
• Hold off on cleaning up your yard in the early spring as the leaf and plant litter provide shelter for many pollinators and beneficial insects that are still SLEEPING!
• Plant native species and avoid invasive species
• Plant a pollinator garden
• Avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides
• Install birdbaths or bee hotels
>Through Education & Advocacy
• Learn more about biodiversity – check out our Useful Resources page for links!
• Raise awareness in your community, and amongst your family, friends and peers
• Advocate in your community for native and biodiversity-friendly landscaping in public spaces and streetscapes
• Advocate for policies that protect and restore biodiversity and promote sustainable development
And, if you haven’t already, check out our new Spotlight on Urban Biodiversity published last May!
