Shaping the future of conservation

Dear G,

The future of conservation is a choice - one that belongs to all of us.

This month, we highlight the power of the Union in shaping conservation’s future. With the publication of Motions in all official languages, IUCN Members now have a crucial opportunity to drive meaningful change through the Union's democratic process. Their objectives and hopes for Congress 2025 reflect a shared commitment to a more just, inclusive, and impactful conservation agenda.

As Canada’s State Member representative to the IUCN, Parks Canada is excited to participate in the upcoming World Conservation Congress. This significant event highlights the importance of strong collaboration in achieving successful conservation outcomes.

Parks Canada is proud to have been a part of the Union for over 50 years, contributing to this global network and IUCN’s vision of a just world that values and conserves nature. Parks Canada is one of the founding members of the #NatureForAll initiative, which was launched at the 2016 World Conservation Congress in Hawai’i, in collaboration with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC), and other partners globally. The seeds planted for #NatureForAll in 2016 have blossomed into an initiative that helps connect youth and partners from around the world, generates new ideas and cultivates a culture of conservation.

The value of collaboration is also clearly demonstrated in the recently published Parks Canada Conservation report which highlights Parks Canada’s collaborative and innovative approaches to conservation, and how we are working with Indigenous peoples and other partners to monitor and restore ecosystems, protect and recover species at risk, promote biodiversity, and conduct important research that contributes to our understanding of Canada’s nature and climate change.

With over 1,400 governmental and non-governmental organisations across 170+ countries, IUCN plays a crucial role in developing practical solutions to real-world problems. The Congress serves as a vital forum for learning about and discussing emerging global conservation issues and solutions. We eagerly anticipate Canada’s participation in the Congress!

Ron Hallman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada
Head of Agency, IUCN Canada State Member

Key issues selected for IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025.

This year’s IUCN Congress, taking place in October in Abu Dhabi, will decide on a set of draft decisions, known as “motions”, that will trigger action on nature loss and other global challenges. Today, 124 of these motions were published, and IUCN Members will be invited to discuss them online starting next month.

Join the conversation on Nature-based Education!

By Sean Southey, Chair of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)

The IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) is committed to advancing global commitments to environmental education, literacy, youth engagement and outdoor learning at this year’s World Conservation Congress. The Nature-based Education Pavilion will serve as an event and convening space, bringing together experts from formal and non-formal education sectors advancing climate education and biodiversity education.

The next generation of conservation leaders

By Matt Lindenberg , Executive Director, Global Conservation Corps

To create opportunities for the next generation of conservation leaders, the status quo must be challenged. By utilising new and innovative technology, systemic barriers for youth entering the workforce are reduced. Matt Lindenberg lays out exactly how the Global Conservation Corps have used these innovative ideas to engage youth – and what lessons others can learn from it.

A new path in conservation: The first conservation programmes for threatened parasites

By Olga St-Onge (she/her), volunteer with the IUCN SSC Parasite Specialist Group.

By recognising parasites as integral to biodiversity and ecosystem health, we align with global efforts to halt biodiversity loss through a more inclusive approach to conservation. As we work toward a future where people and wildlife both thrive, reimagining our approach to parasites is one more step toward protecting all species - big, small, or microscopic.