2025 College Conference
The College’s 2025 Conference is on April 10-11, 2025 at the Prince George Conference & Civic Centre in Prince George, BC on the traditional, unceded and ancestral lands of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. Read on for more information about the speakers and panels.
Registrants will have the opportunity to participate in the Conference through a live web broadcast. Details on registration for the virtual broadcast are below. Registrants who attend the Conference will be able to claim a maximum of 14 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. More information about CPD can be found here. Conference registration is non-refundable and non-transferable after April 7, 2025.
Registration
Registering for the College’s 2025 Conference is easy. Simply navigate to the College’s portal, log-in, and select the 2025 Conference from the Events section.
You’ll be able to select your ticket, choose add-ons for additional opportunities to participate, and checkout — all within the portal! If you don’t have a profile on the College’s portal, that’s ok. You can quickly sign up with just your name and email and then access the event registration as normal.
NB: If you are looking for registration for the 2025 annual general meeting please visit note that the AGM will be held on May 14, 2025 and will be virtual only. Please contact the College office if you have any questions about accessing the broadcasts.
Pricing Information
| Pass | Regular Price | Total Price (GST incl.) |
| Two-day pass | $475.00 | $498.75 |
| One-day pass (Thurs. or Fri.) | $319.00 | $334.95 |
| Online pass | $200.00 | $210.00 |
| Welcome reception ticket (Wed. April 9) | $30.00 | $31.50 |
| Soirée reception ticket (Thurs. April 10) | $55.00 | $57.75 |
Please note Conference registration is non-refundable and non-transferable after April 7, 2025.
Keynote Speaker
For the 2025 conference, the College is very pleased to once again present two keynote addresses. Our keynotes will be delivered by accomplished professional figures who will provide their unique perspectives on artificial intelligence, communication and ethics.
Day 1 Keynote Speaker — Ashish Anand
Ashish Anand is the Founder & CEO of Workforce Wellness and Co-founder & Managing Partner of Amplifiers AI. Ashish is a serial entrepreneur and AI innovator with 20+ years of experience scaling high-growth tech startups. He’s driven by a passion for technology and its potential to transform the way we work. Ashish’s deep expertise in AI, SaaS, and human capital optimization has made him a sought-after thought leader. He has held numerous senior leadership roles at multiple high growth companies, including Phemi, Wishpond, Terramera and Tribe Technologies.
In addition to being an AI special advisor to multiple boards, executive teams and startups, Ashish also represented Canada’s AI on a trade mission to France. He is collaborating with other industry leaders on the development of an AI strategy for BC and developing a framework for building Human-Centred AI. A recognized expert on the future of work, Ashish has delivered multiple keynotes at CPHR, BCTECH, Vivatech, and multiple other leading industry events. He is also the co-founder of Amplifiers AI, an AI strategy and advisory firm.
Ashish’s Day 1 keynote, AI for Biologists: Practical Tips, Use Cases and Real-World Applications, is tailored for biologists at all career stages, including field researchers, senior biologists, environmental impact assessment specialists, and anyone keen to discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize their workflows. Whether you’re new to AI or seeking to integrate it into your existing practices, this session offers valuable insights and practical guidance. You can expect a hands-on exploration of how AI is transforming biology. This keynote dives into practical AI applications across various biological disciplines, providing actionable tips and real-world examples specifically relevant to the daily challenges biologists face. Ashish will also provide a foundational understanding of core AI concepts and technologies, demystifying the field and empowering biologists to make informed decisions about AI adoption.
Day 2 Keynote Speaker — Timothy Caulfield
Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivalled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector — from research on stem cells to diets and alternative medicine — for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. For over 20 years, he was the Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy and is currently a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health and the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.
Caulfield has been involved in a variety of interdisciplinary research endeavours that have led him to publish more than 400 academic articles. His research focuses on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, the public representations of science, and public health policy issues. He has won numerous academic, science communication, and writing awards, and is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
In addition, Caulfield is the co-founder of the science engagement initiative, #ScienceUpFirst. He has also hosted and produced several documentaries, including the award-winning television show, A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, which has aired in over 60 countries and is currently streaming on Netflix in North America.
2025 Conference Agenda
*Conference program subject to change closer to event dates
April 9th, 2025
Welcome Reception
- 7-9pm: Welcome Reception — Sponsored by McTavish Resource and Management Consultants Ltd.
April 10th, 2025
Conference Day 1
- 8:00am-9:45am: Continental Breakfast and Opening Remarks
- Opening Remarks from Hon. Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship
- Welcome from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation
- Welcome from Prince George Mayor Simon Yu
- 10:00am-11:15am: Session 1 — Forest fire preparation/restoration: multi-faceted planning by multi-disciplinary professionals
- Duncan McColl, Dave Daust, Sonja Leverkus, Jason Hwang
- 11:15am-12:45pm: Lunch and Keynote speaker
- Keynote, 12:15pm: Ashish Anand, Founder & CEO, Workforce Wellness
- 1:00pm-2:15pm: Session 2 — Mining sites planning: land reclamation in the era of climate change
- Patrick Audet, Tim Antill
- Networking Break (30 min.) — Sponsored by Associated Environmental
- 2:45-4pm: Session 3 — Indigenous internship programs/inclusiveness
- Regina Toth, Jesse McEwen, Jacob Ross
Soirée Reception
- 7-9pm: Soirée Reception — Sponsored by Triton Environmental Consulting
April 11th, 2025
Conference Day 2
- 8:00-8:30am: Breakfast & Opening Remarks
- 8:30-9:30am: Special Session — Key information for Regulated Professionals
- Christine Houghton, Elaine Vale, Sam Pittman
- Networking Break (30 min.) — Sponsored by WSP Canada Inc.
- Christine Houghton, Elaine Vale, Sam Pittman
- 10:00-11:15am: Session 4 — Indigenous data, communications and protocols
- Penína (Sara-Lynn) Harding, Mike Robertson, Ben Haizimsque
- 11:15am-12:45pm: Lunch and Keynote speaker
- Keynote, 12:15pm: Prof. Timothy Caulfield, Professor of Health Law and Science Policy, University of Alberta
- 1:00-2:15pm: Session 5 — Environmental assessments using Indigenous and Western science
- Lana Miller, Georgia Peck, Brian Holmes, Deanna Higginson
- Networking Break (30 min.) — Sponsored by DWB Consulting Services Ltd.
- Lana Miller, Georgia Peck, Brian Holmes, Deanna Higginson
- 2:45-4pm: Session 6 — Conservation in the North
- Doug Heard, Chris Johnson, Steve Sharron, Pete Erickson
Committed Speakers
- Doug Heard, M.Sc., RPBio, Consulting Ecologist, Tithonus Wildlife Research
- Chris Johnson, Ph.D, RPBio, Professor, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Northern British Columbia
- Duncan McColl, RPBio, Section Head Landbase Stewardship, BC Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship
- Tim Antill, M.Sc., P.Ag., RPBio, Manager, Senior Reclamation Inspector, BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals
- Mike Robertson, Senior Policy Advisor, Cheslatta Carrier Nation
- Penína (Sara-Lynn) Harding, Interim Associate Vice President — Indigenous, University of Northern British Columbia
- Steve Sharron, M.Sc., RPBio, Fisheries Biologist, Ecofish Research Ltd.
- Lana Miller, Ph.D, Director, Water Sustainability, Water, Fisheries and Coast Division, BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- Georgia Peck, Lakes Program Manager, Living Lakes Canada
- Brian Holmes, Advisor, Foreshore Integrated Management Planning, Upper Nicola Band
- Ben Haizimsque, Advisor, First Nations Relations, BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- Jesse McEwen, RPBio, A.Ag, Environmental Consultant, LTN Environmental Consulting LP
- Regina Toth, General Manager, Lhai Ventures LP
- Dave Daust, M.Sc, RPF, Consultant
- Patrick Audet, Ph.D, RPBio, Conservation & Reclamation Lead, Senior Scientist, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.
- Deanna Higginson, MNRES, RPBio, Technical Lead, Lands and Culture, Two Worlds Consulting
- Sonja Leverkus, Ph.D, RPBio, RPF, P.Ag, EP, Founder, Ecosystem Scientist, Prescribed Fire Specialist, Shifting Mosaics Corporation
- Jacob Ross, Environmental Intern, LTN Environmental Consulting LP
- Jason Hwang, Chief Program Officer & Vice President, Salmon, Pacific Salmon Foundation
- Pete Erickson, Manager, Nakazdli-Whuten Sockeye Hatchery
Tradeshow
Returning in 2025 is the College of Applied Biologists’ Conference Tradeshow. Within the pre-function area of the Prince George Conference & Civic Centre you will find a number of exhibitors with useful information, products and services.
Stay tuned as vendors are added. If you would like to be an exhibitor, contact Tory Davis, Communications Manager to see the 2025 sponsorship catalogue, or call the College Office at 1-250-383-3306.
Sponsors
PREMIER SPONSORS
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FRIENDSHIP SPONSORS
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The College is grateful for the support of its event sponsors. Are you interested in sponsoring the 2025 Conference or participating in the tradeshow? Contact Tory Davis, Communications Manager to see the 2025 sponsorship catalogue, or call the College Office at 1-250-383-3306.
Venue & Reception Information
The Prince George Conference & Centre is the venue for the 2025 Conference. Note the areas and rooms below for each conference program element:
- Conference plenary, April 10 & 11: Auditorium
- Welcome reception, April 9: Lower Pre-function Area
- Soirée reception, April 10: The Twisted Cork Restaurant
- Tradeshow, April 9, 10, & 11: Lower Pre-function Area
More information about the two conference receptions is below:
Welcome Reception | Sponsored by McTavish Resource & Management Consultants Ltd.
April 9, 7-9pm, Lower Pre-function Area, PGCCC
The 2025 Conference Welcome Reception is a casual evening to reconnect with friends and prepare for two days of engaging conference content. The reception will be held in the Lower Pre-function Area, giving attendees the opportunity to also interact with the 2025 conference tradeshow.
Appetizers served and bar service available. Tickets $30.
Soirée Reception | Sponsored by Triton Environmental Consulting
April 10, 7-9pm, The Twisted Cork Restaurant
The 2025 Conference Soirée will be a unique evening in the Cork Room at the Twisted Cork Restaurant featuring a live musical performance from Grace Hoksbergen, and a premium photobooth for attendees to use to commemorate the occasion. Dress to impress! Tickets $55.
Featuring:
- Passed appetizers and bar service (one beverage included with ticket)
- Premium photobooth from Rhythm and Sound with an on-site technician to make your photos memorable
- Music from Grace Hoksbergen
*Please note that this event is off-site. Transportation is not provided by the College.
Accommodation & Travel
Accommodation
The Courtyard by Marriott Prince George is the event accommodation partner and is conveniently located across the plaza from the Conference & Civic Centre. The College’s group rate with the Marriott has expired, so accommodation is now based on availability.
