Upcoming Conferences

GEO BON – Global Conference: Monitoring Biodiversity for Action

One year after COP15 of the UN CBD and the landmark agreement of a Global Biodiversity Framework, the GEO BON global conference will focus on the grand challenge of ‘Monitoring Biodiversity for Action’. A central theme will be the development of best practices and new technologies for biodiversity observations and monitoring to support transformative policy and conservation action.

October 10 – 13, 2023 Montreal, Québec, Canada

Pathway to Increase Standards and Competency of eDNA Surveys (PISCeS) International Conference

June 18 – 20, 2023, Guelph, ON

Abstract submission before March 15th

eDNA Conference at the University of Guelph

Academia, regulators, industry, NGO’s, and Indigenous partners are invited to join in a discussion on Pathways to Increase Standards and Competency of Environmental DNA Surveys. The intent of the conference is to explore and inform public policy, industry strategies and future research on eDNA. The conference will be held in person to support engagement and networking.

Panel Discussion Sessions:

eDNA standards, Guidelines, and Proficiency Testing

  • Moderator: Dr. Caren Helbing (University of Victoria)

Invasive Species and Species-at-Risk

  • Moderator: Dr. Margaret Docker (University of Manitoba)

eDNA Data Archival

  • Moderator: Dr. Robert Hanner (University of Guelph)

ORCA – Oceans Research in Canada Alliance

Session of note: Mobilizing environmental DNA tools for understanding ocean biodiversity and tracking change

The programming and format will feature:

  • Opportunities to share ideas and stimulate collaboration and cooperation across disciplines, sectors, and thematic areas;
  • A comprehensive mix of presentations, thematic workshops, and scientific programming;
  • Keynote presentations, an interactive panel discussion, Ocean Decade-themed breakout groups, and seven concurrent interactive sessions.
  • Active participation of the Ocean Decade Champions and their associated thematic communities of practice.

June 1 – 2, 2023 St-John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Past Conferences

COP15 – Part 2 – December 7 – 19, 2022 Montreal, QC

Session of note: COP15 will focus on protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss around the world

Dec 10, 9h – 16h

As part of the COP15 Public Action Zone: Génome Québec will host the family zone on Saturday Dec 10. Under the theme of biodiversity and micro-organisms, iTrackDNA and Le Zoo Sauvage de St-Félicien will participate in the animal zone!

Dec 13, 20h-21h – Science and Technology Day

Oral Presentation: Canada as a Global Leader of the Environmental DNA Revolution.

At Palais des Congrès de Montréal – Canada Pavilion (delegates only). Caren Helbing, Kenneth Clogg-Wright (CSA group), Jerôme Dupras and Melissa Shirey (Gitanyow).

Dec 14, 9h35

Conference by Valérie Langlois on the environmental DNA revolution

Dec 14, 12h00

Conference with Valérie Langlois participating on the role of universities in biodiversity (Part 2: Research and training)

SETAC – Europe 33rd Annual Meeting

Session of note: Data-driven environmental decision-making

Conference/presentation by Caren Helbing and Valérie Langlois of the iTrackDNA project

April 30 – May 4, 2023 Dublin, Ireland and Virtual

Participatory water science forum

Session of note: iTrackDNA project presented by Valérie Langlois (November 14 at 9h25am).

Have citizen science recognized as an essential tool for water management.

On this occasion, participants from all walks of life gathered for two days at the Monastère des Augustines in Québec city.

Representatives of community and environmental organizations, First Nations, research communities, governments.

November 14 – 15, 2022 Québec, Qc

The Wildlife Society (TWS) Annual Conference

Session of note: Advances in eDNA wildlife management applications

November 6 – 10, 2022 Spokane, WA

Abstract deadline: Closed

IOC-UNESCO Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) Workshop

Session of note: omics/eDNA-focused track on Better Biomolecular Ocean Practices (BeBOP)

Collaborative event under the UN Ocean Decade Programmes (OBON) and Ocean Practices for the Decade

October 10 – 12, 2022 Virtual

Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW) 2022

Science at the confluence – reconnection, collaboration, and community

Session of note: Environmental DNA (eDNA): Approaches to assess biodiversity and manage aquatic ecosystem health

  • Poster presentation by Valérie Langlois on iTrackDNA project
  • Oral presentation by Caren Helbing: How low can you go? Establishing LOD and LOQ for samples with low copy number eDNA.

October 2 – 5, 2022 Winnipeg, MB (Hybrid)

Abstract deadline: July 2022

International Forestry Quarantine Research Group 2022 Virtual Symposium

19th meeting of the IFQRG on 1) Molecular tools – detection, diagnostics and enhancing international collaboration; 2) Pest moving on forest products & The risk associated with forest pest establishment in novel environments – incursion vs establishment; 3) Phytosanitary Treatments; 4) Surveillance tools for forest pests – development of new lures and new technology

11-14:00 New York/ 17:00-20:00 Rome/ 02:00 – 05:00 Sydney/ 04:00 – 07:00 NZ/ 12:00 – 03:00 Tokyo

September 2, 9, 16 and 30, 2022  (Virtual)

Abstract deadline: August 1, 2022

Aquaculture Canada/World Aquaculture Society (AAS/WAS) conference 2022 session

Session of note: The Use of eDNA as a Tool for Understanding and Managing Marine Ecosystem

August 15 – 18, 2022 St-John’s, Newfoundland

Abstract deadline: June 1, 2022

International Workshop on Environmental Genomics 2022

Standardization and Evaluation of eDNA Approaches: Methodological, Societal & Legal Implications

July 13 – 14, 2022 (Virtual)

Salon des technologies environnementales du Québec

Innovations au service de la biodiversité

Session of note: Traquer la biodiversité des villes et des territoires grâce à l’ADN – presented by Valérie Langlois

May 17-18, 2022 Québec, Qc

Genome BC’s 2022 Annual Genomics Forum

Climate Emergency – Smart solution for a sustainable future

Session of note: Biodiversity: The key to the future of humanity session

Conference/Forum presented by Caren Helbing: Making a big deal about detecting small things in environmental samples: How environmental DNA is transforming environmental monitoring

May 12, 2022 (Virtual)

SETAC North America 42nd Annual Meeting

Solutions with Respect For Our Community and Environment

Session of note

Poster presentation by Caren Helbing: iTrackDNA Project

Poster presentation by Michael Allison: Comprehensive assessments of Oolichan population health and range using molecular tools in impacted aquatic spawning habitat.

Oral presentation by Neha Acharya-Patel: Monitoring marine pollution effects through new targeted eDNA testing in the Pacific Northwest.

Nov 14-18, 2021 (Virtual)

Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership

5th Annual Environmental DNA Technical Exchange Workshop

Session of note

Oral presentation by Caren Helbing: Tracking at-risk and invasive species with confidence – Opportunities and Challenges of eDNA approaches.

October 19, 2021 (Virtual)