International Day for Biological Diversity 2016 Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods Biodiversity is the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems. It therefore underpins peoples’ livelihoods and sustainable development in all areas of activity, including economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, among others. By halting biodiversity loss, we are investing in people, their lives and their well-being. The thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13) to be held in Cancun, Mexico from 4 to 17 December 2016 will focus on the mainstreaming of biodiversity within and across sectors, which is closely linked to this year’s IDB theme. We invite Parties and organizations that have already initiated national plans for activities to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity to keep the Secretariat informed of such plans and other noteworthy activities organized by NGOs or other organizations so that they may be included in these pages. I invite you to carry out UN FAO YUNGA Challenge badge book activities. You and your troop may do just a celebration .an activity from the book or full challenge up to the meeting in Cancun Mexico Here is a suggestion from the book sample curriculum for 11-15 years. Individual's' aged 11 to 15 (You may also select activities from the book or use activities you have already done in other activities ) Hike (A.02) Explore biodiversity that lives off the ground., Games and activities (A.09:Catch insects in a pitfall trap or a pooter (a special collecting bottle, B.27:Spend a day in your hide recording the insects, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that come to the water, C.07: Play a game about food Chain, D.16:Invent a game that helps people learn about the importance of biodiversity.), Crafts (B.01Learn about your local watershed - an area of land that catches rain and snow, Make a model using soil, bark, rocks, papier-mâché or recycled materials of your watershed., D.01:Make a collage, poster or video clip showing examples of all three components of biodiversity - genes, species and ecosystems),Campfire activities (C.01: Interviews a grandparent or elderly friend (or even an adult pretending they were born many years ago) about the foods they grew and ate as a child.) I will collect all work done from friends and if they don't post their activities I will present them on scout org