Welcome to the website of the 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology (May 9-14, 2010)


The host institution for the 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology is the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation. We are thrilled to welcome the world to Tofino, Canada, in the heart of the territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations and in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Please learn more about us here!

Congress Registration is Open

Registration is now open. Please click here for more information. 

Want to take a sneak peek at the Congress Program? Click here! Check out the links at the left for a day-by-day program.


--Announced February 1, 2010:

The Call for Posters is now closed

If you have submitted a poster proposal in December or January, please be patient as we review your proposal and get back to you as soon as possible.


--Announced January 22, 2010:

The International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) 2010 Annual Conference “Building and Sustaining Coalitions: Finding Common Ground for Education, Environment and Human Rights Advocacy” will be held in Tofino, BC, Canada from 15-17 May 2010 , with post site visits on May 18.  For more information see:www.interntionalfunders.org


--Announced December 17, 2009:

Did you know that the Society of Ethnobiology is holding its 33rd Annual Meeting in Victoria (just 5 hours south of Tofino on Vancouver Island, Canada) from May 5 - 8, 2010, which is the week before the 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology in Tofino? Please click here for more information. 


--Announced December 1, 2009:

Poster Applications Accepted until Jan. 31, 2010

Proposals for posters are still being accepted. Please use the proposal form to submit your poster abstract.


--Announced November 1, 2009:

The Call for Oral Contributions is Closed

The call for proposals for Individual Contributions closed on October 15, 2009.  If you have not received a reply about your contribution proposal, please contact us immediately.


  --Announced July 16, 2009:

Second Congress Announcement

Please click the link below to download the second Congress Announcement. Please feel free to distribute this attachment to colleagues and list-servs. Second Congress Announcement


--Announced June 25, 2009:

First Call for Session Proposals and Individual Contributions

Session Proposals are due July 31, 2009. Proposals for Individual Contributions are due September 18, 2009.


--Announced May 1, 2009:

First Announcement: 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology May 9-14, 2010 in Tofino, BC, Canada

The 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology will take place in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations from May 9-14, 2010 in Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. Hosted by the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation (www.tbgf.org), the main congress activities will take place at the Tin Wis Resort (www.tinwis.com). Please visit Congress Themes for more information.

Congress Theme

The overarching theme of this congress is Hishuk-ish tsa’walk, a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations phrase that embodies the concept of “everything is one,“ the understanding that everything is connected and nothing is isolated from other aspects of life surrounding it and within it. In the months leading up to the Congress, you will be able to contribute your thoughts about “Hishuk-ish tsa’walk” through postings, photographs and short films to this website. Please also watch this space for more information about Congress Sub-themes.

Calls for Session Proposals and Individual Contributions

The calls for Session Proposals and for Individual Contributions have been released. Session Proposals are due July 31, 2009. Proposals for Individual Contributions are due September 18, 2009. Please keep in mind that the deadlines for this Congress will be quite early, because all contributors and Congress participants should secure their accommodation in Tofino NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2010.

Special Sessions, Field Trips and Pre-Congress Workshops

Planning is underway for exciting field trips in the beautiful Tofino and Clayoquot Sound area and in the home of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, as well as for a pre-congress workshop for graduate students. As with past International Congresses of Ethnobiology, the International Society of Ethnobiology will host special evening sessions on relevant topics.

Congress Accommodation

Tofino is a vibrant community with almost one million visitors a year. Although the Congress takes place in the shoulder season (July and August are Tofino's busiest months), it is very important that Congress participants secure accommodation early. Preferred rates are being offered at several hotels until January 31st, 2010. Click here for more information about accommodation. For further information, please contact the Organizing Committee, c/o Josie Osborne (Chair) at ice2010tofino@gmail.com or +1 (250) 725-1220.

We will accept proposals from anyone who shares an interest in the themes of the Congress and the principles of the International Society of Ethnobiology.

We encourage many formats of communication and interaction designed to facilitate multidisciplinary content, intercultural discussion, and to bridge worldviews. Examples include (but are not limited to):