International Land Conservation Network Newsletter, September 2020
In this newsletter
ILCN Virtual Meet and Greet- Featuring our new Regional Representatives
ILCN/ELCN Fall Webinar: Land Conservation, Human Health and Wellbeing
Privately Protected Areas in China: New ILCN Country Report
The Road to South Africa's Recovery is Green
Private-Sector Conservation Under the US Endangered Species Act: a Return on Investment Perspective
International Union of Nature- Netherlands Celebrates 20 Years of Land Acquisition for Conservation
Apply now for a Whitley Award 2021
Events
Join us for the ILCN Virtual Meet and Greet Featuring our new Regional Representatives Thursday, October 1
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. EDT
Left Photo: Jim Levitt, Director of the International Conservation Network.
Right Photo: Andrew Bowman, President and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance
The ILCN, now in its seventh year, continues to grow its presence and impact around the globe, from Boston to Brussels, Beijing, and Brisbane. Join Jim Levitt, Director of the International Land Conservation Network and Andrew Bowman, President and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance, as we introduce our new cohort of Regional Representatives to participants at our annual meet and greet – usually held at the Land Trust Rally in the US, but this year held electronically on Zoom. The new Regional Representatives will be responsible for making sure that ILCN activities and deliverables are available to the civic-sector (NGO) land conservation community in key alliances and networks around the world, from the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA) to the European Land Conservation Network (ELCN), the Chinese Civic Land Conservation Alliance (CCLCA), the Land Trust Alliance in the United States, Asi Conserva Chile, and beyond, as well as to the emerging clusters of civic land conservation organizations in Africa, India and a growing number of subcontinental regions and nations around the world.
These Regional Representatives will likewise be responsible for assuring that the best new innovations and ideas from the field are highlighted and shared with our global community-of-practice through ILCN conferences, publications and online events. We aim for a multi-dimensional exchange of ideas and enthusiasm in many directions, from trusted colleagues on every continent. As global delegates now prepare for the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in China in 2021, our aspirations lead us to consider how we can protect thirty percent of the earth’s surface by the year 2030 (30 x 30). In pursing that goal, our ability to advance innovation in land conservation will be more important than ever. Please join us to learn more about a new facet of the ILCN community that will be working diligently to keep the necessary information, commitment and enthusiasm flowing. To learn more about the ILCN and this event, please visit our website at: landconservationnetwork.org.
Join us for the ILCN/ELCN Fall Webinar: Land Conservation, Human Health and Wellbeing
October 23rd, 9:15am-10:45am Eastern Time
Over the course of this fall and early winter, the International Land Conservation Network and European Land Conservation Network will continue our 2020 webinar series. We will kick off the series with an upcoming webinar on a timely subject: the role that land conservation plays in achieving health and well-being outcomes. Please join us, and look for future webinar announcements in coming months.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the link between land conservation and public health in a time of crisis: across cities, suburbs, and rural areas, lockdowns and the dangers posed by indoor spaces have dramatically increased visitation to urban green spaces, parks, and other natural areas. People all over the world are seeking safe outdoor places for recreation and relaxation.
This webinar will focus on the role of open space, parks, and protected areas as a critical part of public health infrastructure, offering multiple benefits for physical and mental health. Speakers from the United States and Spain, two of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, will share their perspectives on how land conservation contributes to health and well-being, and the urgency of ensuring equal access to quality green spaces for all.
Featured Speakers:
-- Rand Wentworth, President Emeritus, Land Trust Alliance; Louis Bacon Senior Fellow in Environmental Leadership, and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Rand Wentworth is the Louis Bacon Senior Fellow in Environmental Leadership, an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy and a member of the faculty for the Senior Executive Fellows at the Harvard Kennedy School. He also serves as president emeritus of the Land Trust Alliance, a national conservation organization based in Washington, DC which serves as the leader for 1100 land trusts with 8,000 staff, 16,000 board members and 4.6 million members. He served as president from 2002-2016 and is widely recognized for expanding the pace and quality of land conservation in America. Before joining the Land Trust Alliance, Wentworth served as vice president and founding director of the Atlanta office of the Trust for Public Land where he in tripled the size of the national park honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and completed a $143 million capital campaign to protect 70 miles along the Chattahoochee River, the primary drinking water supply for the City of Atlanta.
-- Dr. Sadiya Muqueeth, Director of Community Health at the Trust for Public Land
Dr. Sadiya Muqueeth is the Director of Community Health at the Trust for Public Land. She received her Doctorate in Public Heath from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2018. Previously, she was a Public Health Prevention Service Fellow with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she worked to strengthen the global public health workforce through messaging and policy analysis for the Field Epidemiology Training Program, and evaluated products developed with CDC partners to enhance city design in order to improve health outcomes. She led the CDC's Preventing Substance Exposed Pregnancies (PSEP) Coalition on a two-year assignment to the Baltimore City Health Department. Dr. Muqueeth's previous positions have included research assistant on CDC’s foodborne outbreaks and surveillance teams, rural health volunteer with Peace Corps in Paraguay, and research coordinator for community-based participatory studies.
-- Dr. Carles Castell, Head of the Natural Areas Department, Barcelona Provincial Council; President Emeritus, EUROPARC - Spain
Carles Castell holds a PhD in Ecology, a Master in Environmental Management in Rural and a Master in Directive Function, of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. After ten years of research and teaching experience, he started working in the Natural Areas Department of the Provincial Council of Barcelona in 1994, developing research, monitoring, planning and management programs of conservation. Nowadays, he is dealing with several “Nature & Health Initiatives” at different scales, and he is member of the Commission of Health & Protected Areas of the European Federation of Parks (EUROPARC).
He has published several books, scientific and disclosure papers, both in the field of ecology as well as analysis, planning and management of natural areas. He lectures as professor in several Master Programs. He is actively involved in the Spanish Federation of Parks (EUROPARC-Spain), which he presided between 2013 and 2017.
Privately Protected Areas in China: New ILCN Country Report
Environmental NGOs and conservationists in China are developing important new models for biodiversity and nature conservation through systematic conservation planning tools. This China Country Profile, authored by Shenmin Liu of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in consultation with Jin Tong, Science Director at the China program of The Nature Conservancy, provides an up-to-date overview of the current status and trends of civic land conservation efforts in China, describes the legal, policy, and institutional mechanisms and challenges to establishment and management of civil protected areas, and offers policy recommendations to advance tools and strategies for land conservation throughout the country. This profile complements the country profiles developed in the 2019 ILCN-UNDP report, International Outlook for Privately Protected Areas.
Photo from Getty Images: NicolasMcComber In a time of great global uncertainty and upheaval, many organizations are grappling with the path out of this crisis, how to build systems that are more resilient in the future, and what that might mean for global conservation. As countries and communities construct the road to recovery, it is critical that environmental concerns are considered in the process. Candice Stevens of Wilderness Foundation Africa (an ILCN Steering Committee Member) and Cerin Maduray of World Wildlife Fund South Africa have co-written an opinion piece on the recovery path for South Africa, which are also globally relevant. They discuss the importance of incorporating environmental improvements into recovery plans, especially as it relates to long term resiliency; the importance of maintaining existing levels of support into sectors such as renewable energy, water treatment, and land remediation; and addressing systemic challenges in the food system that are characterized by unsustainable land use change and habitat impacts. The challenges that many organizations are facing at this point are daunting- but the path to recovery has the potential to contribute to a greener world.
Private-sector conservation under the US Endangered Species Act: a return on investment perspective
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a critical mechanism for species protection in the US. However, the ESA protects species, but does not require proactive conservation. This journal article, published in April of 2020, details some of the voluntary programs which have been developed to incentivize private conservation, and analyses the return-on-investment that these programs could offer landowners. The article also explores additional program supports, such as assistance programs, and targeted landowner outreach, to evaluate their effectiveness to increase voluntary private land conservation, as well as return on investment for the landowner.
International Union of Nature - Netherlands Celebrates 20 Years of Land Acquisition for Conservation
This year, the International Union of Nature - Netherlands celebrates the 20th anniversary of its land acquisition fund, which has allowed over 100 NGOs to protect and connect the habitats of endangered species. In an extensive anniversary report, they present the stories of their local partners and their conservation efforts.
"The report is a tribute to all our other passionate partners at the frontline of conservation. It highlights their conservation efforts, their personal stories, the challenges they face and the successes they achieved in protecting and connecting the habitats of endangered species".
Whitley Awards provide funding, training and support to grassroots conservation leaders in the Global South and put an international spotlight on winners’ work. To find out more about these awards, click here.
Whitley Awards are for dynamic, mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in the Global South. Winners tend to be nationals of the country in which they are working who are seeking to scale up proven work that would benefit from further funding, a profile boost and international support. To be eligible, projects must involve communities at the grassroots level and deliver practical action that is founded on science.
Applications for the Whitley Awards 2021 are currently open!
The deadline is midnight GMT on 31st October 2020.
Are you a conservation leader in the Global South or do you know of one? Read the eligibility criteria and to find out how to apply.
Land is for Ever Webinar 4: Is there a future for private land conservation tools in Europe?
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
10:00-11:00 EDT
16:00-17:00 CEST
Online
The European Landowners' Organization together with The Nature Conservancy invite you to join a 2 weeks-long program of online activities to present conservation sites in the US’ Mid-Atlantic region and innovative European case studies. Those 4 webinars will allow you to interact, exchange with key actors and stakeholders from the field.
In the framework of this Life+ project “Land Is For Ever”, private land conservation tools and their use were studied. Discover those tools, their specificities and use around the world. How are they instrumented in the United States, what’s the key to success? And how to increase their use, particularly in Europe? A round table discussion of 20 minutes will gather diverse stakeholders such as private land owners, conservation NGO’s, European Commission representative and actors from the sector.
Infrastructure and Nature - Setting the Scene: Converging Crises and Sustainable Infrastructure in a COVID-19 World
October 1, 8am EDT
The Infrastructure and Nature coalition, representing more than 20 organizations formed to organize the Infrastructure and Nature Pavilion at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2021, is holding a series of virtual discussions from October to December 2020. With leading private and public sector actors on the financing, planning, and development of sustainable infrastructure, we will explore solutions for reducing risks and generating incentives for building nature into future infrastructure business models.
The CCSG has been looking at the impacts of linear infrastructure development on protected areas and ecological connectivity. The Specialist Group’s work on infrastructure and ecological connectivity will be featured throughout the series and will be highlighted on 19 November 2020. Given that infrastructure development will be a likely focus of any post-COVID economic recovery effort, getting a handle on addressing linear infrastructure impacts is imperative.
Private and public sector panelists will set the stage for the webinar series, discussing barriers and opportunities for the private sector to catalyze sustainable investments that address the multiple crises we face today, from global biodiversity loss to climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ALPINE Fall Webinar Series: Stanford University Efforts in Research and Practice in Land Conservation: Students, Faculty and Land Managers Collaborating for Solutions in Conservation
Friday, October 2
12:30-1:30pm EDT
Partnerships between university researchers and land managers are important to create and support critical pathways for identifying and addressing today’s conservation challenges. This webinar will focus on efforts at Stanford University to better understand effective partnerships between universities and land trusts. We will discuss three aspects of the work: 1) an Open Space Management Practicum designed to engage students and land managers in research to produce conservation solutions 2) the development of tools to support researchers and land managers in partnerships, and (3) an examination of the the successes and challenges of land-trust research/practice partnerships. Through such collaborations, land managers and researchers have the opportunity to contribute to decision-making around open-space reserve management, long-term conservation planning, and policy measures in the long term, thus contributing to on-the-ground conservation impact.
IUCN WCPA Vital Sites: People and Parks; the pathways to social and ecological recovery
October 5, 3pm EDT
This event will explore ways in which we can harness the increasing recognition of the value of parks and protected areas for human health and well-being, social cohesion and recovery, economic benefits as well as achieving conservation outcomes. From policy to practice, it will explore ways that parks can reach whole communities by ensuring access for all.
The event will be moderated by Karen Keenleyside , Vice Chair for People and Parks of the IUCN WCPA and Co-Chair of the IUCN #NatureForAll initiative.
Speakers will include:
Clare Shine , Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Salzburg Global Seminar
Guillermo Penalosa, Ambassador, World Urban Parks, Founder of 880 Cities
Shauna Jones , Senior Manager, Health & Community Activation, Parks Victoria
Mark Camley , Executive Director of Park and Venues, London Legacy Development Corporation and Executive Director Chair
Carol Ritchie , Director EUROPARC Federation
Mariana Napolitano Ferreira , Co-Chair on the IUCN WCPA Task Force on COVID-19 and Protected Areas
Land Trust Alliance Rally 2020
October 6-8, 2020
Online
Rally is the exciting annual gathering of nearly 2,000 inspired and passionate land conservation practitioners from the US, Canada, South America and beyond, who are dedicated to conserving cherished places in local communities.
The Land Trust Alliance is proud to be hosting its 33rd year of Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference, which will be held virtually October 6-8.
Serving as the premier training and networking conference, Rally ’20 offers dozens of educational sessions focused on land conservation topics, networking events, exhibits, plenary session presentations, and an awards presentation celebrating conservation leadership.
LTA Rally: Private Land Conservation Around the World - New Opportunities to Teach and Learn
October 7, 2020
Land Trust professionals in the United States sometimes think that their work is mostly confined to our country’s borders. However, during the past decade we have learned that private, and public-private, land conservation is happening and expanding around the world. This panel presentation will feature representatives of private lands networks in Australia, Europe, Chile, and the entire world! These leaders will discuss the differences and similarities between land trust practice in the United States and other geographies. They will also discuss just how much we all need to teach and learn from one another about the tools and strategies that define global conservation success. This will be a stimulating, informative and practical discussion of conservation action and opportunities beyond our borders.
To view the webinar, a registration fee is required. Register for the 2020 Land Trust Alliance Rally here.
'Landscapes for People, Food, and Nature' 2012-2020: Reflections and Lessons Learned for Future Global Landscape Development
October 8, 2020
9:00-10:30 ET
Online
Join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and EcoAgriculture Partners for the next Landscape Roundtable to reflect upon the achievements and lessons learned from the Landscapes for People, Food and Nature (LPFN) initiative, which began in 2012 and officially closes this year. The LPFN initiative has been an international collaboration of knowledge sharing, dialogue and action to support integrated landscape management in order to achieve three simultaneous goals: improved food production, ecosystem conservation and sustainable livelihoods. More than 70 partner organizations from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia have contributed their resources and considerable expertise as part of LPFN to promote and strengthen landscape management around the world.
During the Roundtable, distinguished panelists representing the core partners of LPFN will reflect on the initiative and share their vision of where to go from here to further advance sustainable landscapes that fully meet the Global Goals.
The Landscape Roundtable is part of an on-going series of discussions focusing on climate change, agriculture and landscapes. EcoAgriculture Partners and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liaison Office for North America have jointly organized the series since 2009.
EU Green Week 2020 is now scheduled for 19-22 October 2020, on the theme of nature and biodiversity. After the adoption of a new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 in May, Green Week will highlight the contribution biodiversity can make to society and the economy, and the role it can play in supporting and stimulating recovery in a post-pandemic world, bringing jobs and sustainable growth. The new strategy shows how the recovery is an opportunity for a fresh start, in the knowledge that transformative change is possible. It’s a chance to rethink our relationship with nature, to change the activities that are driving biodiversity loss and the wider ecological crisis, and to weigh up the implications for our economy and society. EU Green Week will examine how EU policies such as the European Green Deal can help protect and restore nature, leaving it room to recover and thrive.
This year’s Green Week will also act as a milestone on the path to the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, now planned for 2021, where world leaders will adopt a 10-year action plan for biodiversity – a new global deal for people and nature.
Join the Burrenbeo Trust or their annual Winterage Weekend, a vibrant and culturally rich community festival which this year will be held virtually.
Celebrate the unique farming traditions of the Burren and other ‘high nature value’ farming landscapes across Ireland and Europe. This festival also becomes a platform for sharing ideas on how these special places and their custodians might best be supported at a time of great challenge.
Wildlands and Woodlands Regional Conservation Partnership Network Gathering
November 19, 2020
9:00am-3:00pm EST
This year’s theme, Resilient Regions and Communities, addresses the climate crisis and is designed to scale up the most impactful strategies and tactics to help the communities in our part of the world work toward a healthy, equitable, and resilient future.
For 2020, the RCP Network Gathering Program has been redesigned to more fully advance the practice of collaborative landscape conservation in the service of our collective vision for the future, as reflected in the regional Wildlands and Woodlands, Farmlands and Communities Vision and the global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s RCP Network Gathering Program will begin with weekly sets of online workshops starting October 19 and ending November 13 and be followed by the virtual Gathering on November 19. Each week’s workshops will follow a thematic track, designed to build awareness of challenges and solutions and lead to consensus on scalable actions that could be advanced in the next two to three years.
We are excited to share stories from ILCN members. If you have a successful conservation initiative, story, event, or webinar to share, then please contact us at ILCN@lincolninst.edu.
The mission of the International Land Conservation Network is to connect organizations and people around the world that are accelerating voluntary private and civic sector action that protects and stewards land and water resources.
Learn more at landconservationnetwork.org.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the link between land conservation and public health in a time of crisis: across cities, suburbs, and rural areas, lockdowns and the dangers posed by indoor spaces have dramatically increased visitation to urban green spaces, parks, and other natural areas. People all over the world are seeking safe outdoor places for recreation and relaxation.
Environmental NGOs and conservationists in China are developing important new models for biodiversity and nature conservation through systematic conservation planning tools. This China Country Profile, authored by Shenmin Liu of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in consultation with Jin Tong, Science Director at the China program of The Nature Conservancy, provides an up-to-date overview of the current status and trends of civic land conservation efforts in China, describes the legal, policy, and institutional mechanisms and challenges to establishment and management of civil protected areas, and offers policy recommendations to advance tools and strategies for land conservation throughout the country. This profile complements the country profiles developed in the 2019 ILCN-UNDP report, 
This year, the International Union of Nature - Netherlands celebrates the 20th anniversary of its land acquisition fund, which has allowed over 100 NGOs to protect and connect the habitats of endangered species. In an extensive anniversary report, they present the stories of their local partners and their conservation efforts.
