Indigenous-Led Forest Stewardship and Climate Action in North America

How Indigenous communities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States are taking action to care for North America’s forests and address climate change.

UBC Connects at Robson Square welcomes Indigenous leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States for inspiring conversations on forest stewardship and climate action. Over two days of engaging discussions and thought-provoking presentations, Indigenous leaders from throughout North America will share their deeply-rooted and innovative strategies on forest stewardship that both strengthen community resilience and drive global sustainability.

This event is presented in partnership with the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, Duke University Office of Climate and Sustainability, the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, and Duke Global, as well as the UBC Faculty of Forestry, UBC Centre for Climate Justice, and UBC Indigenous Research Support Initiative.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear firsthand from Indigenous leaders on the frontlines of global climate action, sharing their wisdom, experience, and vision for the future.

All UBC Connects at Robson Square events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit our site or reach us at connect.robsonsquare@ubc.ca.

Day 1: Panel Discussion and Q&A

UBC Robson Square Theatre (C300) | Monday, April 28, 2025 | 4:30 – 8:30PM

Feature presentations by Indigenous leaders from across North America, followed by Q&A discussions with the audience.

Schedule

4:30 – 5:00 PM: Registration

5:00 – 7:30 PM: Presentations by Indigenous leaders on forest stewardship and climate action

7:30 – 8:30 PM: Reception

Day 2: Public Workshops

Forest Sciences Centre, 2424 Main Mall, UBC Vancouver | Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 8:00AM – 4:30PM

A free, full-day public workshop, Indigenous Strategies for Engaging with Forest-Based Carbon Offsetting, at UBC’s Point Grey campus will explore how North American Indigenous Peoples’ have engaged with carbon offsetting and its challenges, as well as the strategies they employ to adapt programs to their own visions for their forests and communities. 

This public workshop is specifically designed for those who have backgrounds or are actively involved in Indigenous-led Forest-Based Offsetting.

Schedule

8:00 – 9:00 AM: Registration

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Indigenous community members share their experiences and practices in forest-based carbon offsetting, followed by an audience Q&A

12:00 – 1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 – 4:30 PM: Group discussions and breakout working group sessions

• Discussion groups will delve into common and differing experiences in forest-based carbon offsetting by exploring typical challenges, successful strategies, and lingering questions that continue to emerge across the sector and different communities.

4:30 – 5:00 PM: Summary of discussions and setting an agenda for future actions

Please Note:

• April 28 and April 29 Event Locations:
  • The April 28 panel discussion will take place at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver
  • The April 29 public workshop on will take place at UBC’s Point Grey campus.