IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

📢 New Publication Alert: Guidance on OECMs 🌱 The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the OECMs Specialist Group have launched an essential resource: “Guidance on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures #OECMs.” 📖 This publication supports the implementation of #Target3 of the Kunming-Montreal #GlobalBiodiversityFramework, also known as the 30x30 target. 🔍 What’s inside? Tools to identify, report, monitor, and strengthen OECMs. Guidance for diverse rightsholders and stakeholders to determine if a site meets the CBD’s OECM criteria. Best practices for national and global reporting. 🎯 Whether you’re a policymaker, conservationist, or advocate for biodiversity, this guidance is your roadmap to achieving effective conservation and delivering on global biodiversity targets. 📌 Learn more and access the publication here: https://lnkd.in/dPtcetYW #Conservation #Biodiversity #OECMs #30x30 IUCN UN Biodiversity #SustainableDevelopment World Wildlife Fund Harry Jonas Stephen Woodley Astrid Schomaker

🌿 Unite for Nature: Celebrating the Heroes of Conservation! 🌍 The latest issue of Unite for Nature magazine of IUCN is here, featuring a powerful tribute to the rangers on the frontlines of conservation. From Zambia to the Philippines, meet the inspiring past winners of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) International Ranger Awards and learn about their incredible sacrifices to protect our planet’s most precious natural resources. 💪 These stories remind us why rangers are the backbone of global conservation efforts. 📖 Read the full feature and celebrate their work: https://lnkd.in/g7erFQVb Let’s honor their dedication and amplify their voices. Together, we can support rangers worldwide. 💚 #InternationalRangerAwards #UniteForNature #RangersLeadTheWay #ConservationHeroes

🌍 Conservation and Human Rights: An Introduction 🌱 A new guidance document is now available, providing essential insights into how international human rights frameworks apply to conservation. It highlights the importance of adopting rights-based conservation approaches and offers practical tools to support Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and environmental defenders in safeguarding biodiversity. 🔑 Why it matters: The Kunming-Montreal #GlobalBiodiversityFramework emphasizes human rights as a cornerstone of effective conservation. This guidance explores how the sector can transition from top-down approaches to equitable, community-led initiatives, ensuring the rights of those most connected to biodiversity are respected and upheld. 🌟 Key features: Strategies for balancing state-led conservation with locally-driven efforts. Tools to integrate human rights into conservation practices. Frameworks that empower communities to assert their rights and lead biodiversity conservation. 📥 Access the full document here: https://lnkd.in/gzHJnD7m This publication is a valuable resource for advancing conservation that is inclusive, effective, and equitable. 🌱 #Conservation #HumanRights #KunmingMontrealFramework #IndigenousRights #Biodiversity #Sustainability Helen Tugendhat Helen Newing Amelia Arreguín Prado Forest Peoples Programme Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science IUCN

📣 Read IUCN WCPA's new publications for UNFCCC #COP29! 🌲 Connecting the Dots 2: Calling for a work programme to establish priorities for synergistic climate and biodiversity action (https://lnkd.in/gsUFBDXe) 🌲 IUCN WCPA Technical Note No. 19. Renewable energy and implications for protected and conserved area downgrading, downsizing, degazettement, and delisting: guidance to address climate change and biodiversity loss synergistically (https://lnkd.in/gnrPwQxj) 🌲 IUCN WCPA Technical Note No. 20. Protected and conserved areas are critical natural climate solutions (https://lnkd.in/gHR2aVph) See IUCN's COP29 webpage for IUCN's COP29 position paper and more of our publications https://iucn.org/cop29 Brendan Mackey Cyril Kormos Catalina Gonda Melanie Coath Madhu Rao Manuel Pulgar-Vidal Mitali S. Rachel E. Golden Kroner, PhD Nigel Dudley James Watson

🌟Applications for the 2025 EXCELerator Program are NOW OPEN 🌟 Are you looking to take your conservation career to the next level and enhance your project idea? Look no further! CoalitionWILD is thrilled to open applications for the 2025 edition of the EXCELerator program from 1 November to 29 November, 2024!     Location: Online, join from any country on the globe! 🌎 Dates: January 9, 2025 - July 3, 2025 🗓️ Cost: Free for selected participants,  by our partners at The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust, The Iris Project, the Francis and Christine Family Foundation and a private foundation. 👉 APPLY HERE: bit.ly/EXL2025-apply 🌎 Who can apply? If you are passionate about making a difference and driving change in the conservation sector, you’re in the right place! The EXCELerator Program invites applicants who match the following criteria: Age: You should be 35 years of age or younger at the start of the program on January 9, 2025. Project: Whether you have a new project idea, a project in its early stages, or a project with the potential to scale up in the conservation sector, your passion will find an ideal fit.  Dedication: You need to be willing to commit your time and energy into developing your project idea. Engaging throughout the program is essential for both the FLEX and LIVE pathways of the program.  Technology: Access to a computer and a stable internet connection is necessary for participating in the program and with its learning platform and content. The EXCELerator program is now revamped and better than ever! 🚀 🌍 The 2025 Edition of the EXCELerator Program offers two learning pathways tailored to your learning needs. Join for a transformative journey of growth, learning, and collaboration from January to July 2025. Make sure to follow CoalitionWILD to get the latest updates!

🌏 The 2024 World Protected Areas Leaders Forum (WPALF) Report is now available! This year’s meeting brought together leading voices in conservation to advance solutions for a sustainable, nature-positive future. With input from diverse protected areas leaders across continents, this report captures an inspiring, united vision for nature conservation. 🌲 IUCN WCPA is proud to have supported this critical gathering hosted by Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland where global leaders shared strategies to strengthen protected areas worldwide. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/dypeFadk

🌍 Call for Nominations: 2025 International Ranger Awards 🌍 🙌 Do you know an exceptional ranger or ranger team who has shown outstanding dedication, courage, and impact in the field of conservation? The International Ranger Awards are now open for nominations, and we need your help to honour the individuals working at the frontlines of nature protection worldwide! 🐯 Rangers play a crucial role in safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity, often under challenging conditions. From protecting endangered species and fighting wildlife crime to collaborating with local communities, their work is essential to preserving the ecosystems we all depend on. Learn more and submit your nominations here 👉 https://lnkd.in/exEdrA8U IUCN International Ranger Federation Universal Ranger Support Alliance Conservation Allies Olga Biegus Mike Appleton Mónica Álvarez Malvido Rohit Singh Tracy Farrell

Happy to share our new publication on "Renewable energy and implications for protected and conserved area downgrading, downsizing, degazettement, and delisting: guidance to address climate change and biodiversity loss synergistically", written with Rachel E. Golden Kroner, PhD as part of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement (PADDD) Task Force. It has also been included in IUCN's publication list for COP29 (https://iucn.org/cop29). Renewable energy development is critical to addressing climate change, but poses emerging risks for protected and conserved areas (PCAs). As the demand for renewables increases to meet climate goals and the number of PCAs increase to meet area-based biodiversity targets, objectives may come into conflict. In this Technical Note, we discuss the risks from this potential conflict and provide guidance on the intersection between renewable energy, PCAs, and other areas important for biodiversity, focusing on solar PV, wind, and hydropower energy, while considering the related impacts of mining. We emphasise that in all cases, the aim should be to avoid PADDD, CADDD*, and biodiversity loss as much as possible by avoiding areas of high biodiversity importance and selecting already degraded areas instead, while increasing the use of mitigation, restoration, and transformation measures. (*CADDD—conserved area downgrading, downsizing, and delisting) Read our publication here: https://lnkd.in/gRhV_EXD Nigel Dudley Yiwen Zeng Michele Thieme James Watson Sebastian Dunnett Madhu Rao

Introducing Vania Olmos Lau, an inspiring voice in conservation from the #NextGenWCPA Campaign! 🌿 Vania’s conservation journey began as a volunteer in a #ProtectedArea, sparking her passion for nature. With a biology degree, she initially focused on endangered species trade, collaborating with Mexico’s CITES Scientific Team. A pivotal 2015 trip to the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve revealed the stark divide between lush rainforest and deforestation from agriculture, inspiring her to integrate conservation with sustainable agriculture. Pursuing a master’s in agroecology in the Netherlands, she conducted research in biosphere reserves like Chamela-Cuixmala and Janos, keeping her passion for protected areas alive. An internship in Uganda exposed her to renowned parks such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, and in France, she studied local value chains in the Luberon Biosphere Reserve. Her thesis in Paraguay examined yerba mate agroforestry as a corridor in the Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve, comparing protected area management across countries. Returning home, she trained farmers and protected area staff in pollinator-friendly practices in central Mexico, and led several #OneHealth initiatives. Through her work, Vania aims to harmonize agriculture and conservation, leaving a lasting impact on ecosystems and communities. #Connectivity #Conservation #Restoration #NorthAmerica #CaribbeanAndCentralAmerica #SouthAmerica #EastAndSouthernAfrica UICN México, América Central y el Caribe