September 2025 ILCN Newsletter

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ILCN at the 2025 World Conservation Congress

Dear Friends,

The ILCN team will attend the World Conservation Congress this October 9-15 in Abu Dhabi. Held once every four years, this event brings together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous groups, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges.

Chandni Navalkha (Director), Robin Beckham (Policy Analyst), and Ruchi Patel (Senior Policy Analyst) from the ILCN will be attending the Congress to raise awareness around and to learn about whole-of-society approaches to conservation and stewardship efforts and funding models from around the world.

Chandni will speak at a session on Friday, October 10 at 17:00 titled "Untapped Potential: Privately Protected Areas and Their Contribution to National and Global Biodiversity Goals." Join us at The Nature Conservancy Pavilion for the talk, which will also feature Brent Mitchell, Vice-Chair of IUCN WCPA, James Fitzsimons of The Nature Conservancy Australia, Megan Lafferty of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and Sonia Castañeda of Fundación Biodiversidad.

We will likely host an informal ILCN gathering in Abu Dhabi on the evening of Saturday, October 11. This is a great opportunity to connect face-to-face and to learn more about your important work. If you will be there and are interested in joining us, please email Robin at rbeckham@lincolninst.edu. Please also feel free to put us in touch or share this email with colleagues and partners who may be interested.

Finally, in an effort to foster greater recognition of the outstanding private and civic land conservation efforts in your countries and regions, we invite you to send us photos or slides representing your organization or work to showcase on-screen at our ILCN exhibition booth. You can upload files at the following link: https://lilp.formstack.com/forms/ilcn_world_conservation_congress_slideshow_submission

Thank you, and we will be in touch with those of you who contact us soon!

We look forward to seeing you in Abu Dhabi!

Featured Content

Open Space or Affordable Housing? 2025 Kingsbury Browne Awardee Steve Rosenberg Says We Don't Have to Choose

Concept drawing of workforce housing proposed in Red Hook (Dutchess County), NY. Courtesy: Steve Rosenberg.

Lily Robinson
September 25, 2025

The growing demand for both affordable housing and open space is fostering new alliances between conservationists and affordable housing advocates. Once seen as competing interests, these groups are increasingly finding common ground thanks to efforts such as those of 2025 Kingsbury Browne awardee Steve Rosenberg. This collaboration is not only breaking old boundaries but also revealing that partnership may be the most effective and forward-thinking path for achieving shared goals.

Read More

The Short Film 'Neo in No Man's Land' Spreads Appreciation for South Africa's Indigenous Plants, Animals, and Culture

Digital illustration courtesy of Yolanda Busbee Methvin.

Lily Robinson
September 26, 2025

A young woman's journey to gather water from her village's river takes her further than she could have imagined and reunites her with the indigenous flora and fauna that have sustained her ancestors for generations.

Read More

News from the ILCN

13th Latin American Congress on Voluntary Conservation
By Chandni Navalkha
September 29, 2025

The ILCN traveled to Panama City, Panama, in September to join 130 practitioners from 16 Latin American countries for the gathering, which was hosted by the Panamanian Association of Private Natural Reserves. Co-convener Hernan Mladinic said the congress exceeded expectations.

Read More

Reflections on the Eurosite Annual Meeting 2025: Nature Defends Borders
By Harm Schoten
September 25, 2025

Eurosite gathered this year in Vilnius, Lithuania. Director Harm Schoten shared his takeaways from the meeting, which include the important role of land as a form of natural defense for many European nations.

Read More

Notes From the Field

What we're reading, watching, and listening to

Integrating Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Into Local Government Planning
By Kylie Paul & Abigail Breuer
August 2025

From the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, this report guides planners and partners in weaving wildlife habitat connectivity into land-use decisions. It features sample policies from across the United States, case studies of successful implementation, and best practices for local action.

Read More

ILCN/ALCA Webinar Series: Enabling Conservation in a Rapidly Changing World
By ILCN & ALCA
August 2025

The ILCN teamed up with its partners at the Australian Land Conservation Alliance to host a three-part webinar series this fall. Recordings of the sessions are now available at the links below:

Part 1: Funding & Financing Conservation
Part 2: The Role of Alliances
Part 3: The Practice of Conservation

Additionality in Habitat Banking: How Can Colombia Build on its Success?
By Ryan Sarsfield
September 18, 2025

A new analysis explores how nature credits can be designed to represent a real benefit to nature—one that would not have happened in their absence. The paper uses the example of Colombia's habitat banking system to present solutions. It is available in English and Spanish.

Read More

Indian Country Today Newscast on Indigenous-Led Conservation
By Indian Country Today
September 19, 2025

In recent years, Indigenous-led conservation and Traditional Knowledge have taken a central role in programming at the annual Land Trust Alliance Rally. This video explores the shift and what it means for private land conservation in the United States.

Watch

Upcoming Events

Managing Wildlife in Large Landscapes: Reciprocal Learning for the World's Most Iconic Ecosystems

In every corner of the world, large ecosystems fostering diverse wildlife and complex species interactions sprawl over jurisdictional boundaries. They provide ecological wonders and societal benefits, but also present considerable management challenges and potential for conflict.

Join the University of Wyoming Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources in October 2025 for a global dialogue on the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for conserving and managing wildlife in large, complex landscapes around the world. The conference will bring managers, researchers, and conservationists from iconic landscapes across the planet to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in search of reciprocal learning both from and for this place.

October 1-2, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Register

Bootcamp: A Deep Dive Into Financing 30x30 - Sustainable Finance for Target 3

Join the Sustainable Finance Coalition and several partners for this two-part event exploring sustainable finance to support your work toward the goal of protecting 30 percent of land and water areas by 2030.

Each session will be available in English, French, and Spanish. High Ambition Coalition member country professionals can also request to join the Deep Dive Track, which will commit to deeper engagement with the topics presented through resource review, peer exchange, and submission of a short reflection.

Session 1 - October 2, 9am (ET), virtual
Session 2 - November 6, 8am (ET), virtual
Register

From Data to Decisions: Innovative Tools Transforming Water Management

Climate volatility and changing EU regulations are outpacing traditional water forecasting approaches. In this webinar, we’ll explore how European water managers are embracing digital transformation to navigate growing climate risks, evolving policies, and operational complexity.

Join experts from HydroForcast (Upstream Tech) and KISTERS on October 7, 10am ET / 3pm BST to learn how organizations across Europe are using AI-powered forecasting and integrated data platforms to improve operations—from optimizing reservoir releases and managing flood risk to informing energy market decisions and drought planning.

October 7, 10am (ET), virtual
Register

IUCN World Conservation Congress

Visit the ILCN booth at the IUCN World Conservation Congress! Held once every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous groups, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges. The event includes a forum, members’ assembly, and exhibition.

October 9-15, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Register

Australian Land Conservation Alliance 2025 Annual Conference: Scaling Up - Local Action for Global Solutions

The need to protect, manage, and restore nature is at an all-time high. Addressing the interconnected crises of nature loss and climate change requires bold, scalable action—starting at the local level. Across Australia and beyond, diverse communities, businesses, and organizations are leading with solutions that tackle the biggest environmental challenges of our time by enabling, delivering, and scaling conservation, land management, and restoration action.

The 2025 ALCA Conference will showcase these efforts, celebrating the people and partnerships driving this work: from Australia’s First Nations leaders to dedicated conservation, farming, and business professionals; community volunteers; and local champions—their collective on-ground efforts strengthen the cross-sector and cross-cultural solutions we urgently need. The conference will demonstrate the strong business case for backing local action and explore how to unlock opportunities, overcome challenges, and align local initiatives and innovations with national and global biodiversity and climate goals.

With almost 200 countries rallying to deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework, it is a pivotal time for conservation practitioners and decision-makers across all sectors to come together to collaborate and share insights, amplify local nature action, and drive transformative change for a healthier, more resilient planet. Registration ends October 1.

October 7-10, Gimuy (Cairns), Australia
Register

ILCN Webinar: Overlooked No More - Conservation in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

Existing in most of our imaginations as an untouched place, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean will play a vital role in global 30x30 commitments. Despite its importance, the unique context and practice of conservation in the region is not widely known. Join the ILCN for a webinar introducing the challenges and opportunities for conservation on the continent.

The webinar will feature speakers from the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, which works to protect its vulnerable ecosystems by providing a unified voice for Antarctic conservation, and from Point Blue Conservation Science, which has been working in Antarctica for over 50 years to understand the drivers of ecosystem change in the region.

October 15, 12pm (ET), Online
Register

Finance 4Nature Training

Join the Conservation Finance Alliance and partners for a three-day intensive conservation finance training in Washington D.C.

Hosted at Conservation International's headquarters, this in-person training will explore the full spectrum of nature finance solutions from grants and economic instruments to return-based investments and public financial management. Participants will learn to assess tradeoffs, build tailored finance portfolios, and apply these tools to real-world landscapes and conservation goals.

December 2-4, Washington D.C.
Register

Economic Futures Summit: Investing in Indigenous-led Sustainability Solutions

A first of its kind Indigenous-led gathering to galvanize sustainability solutions and create new pathways for evolving the economy and confronting the climate and nature crises. Join Economic Futures online or in person for this inaugural event, exploring finance solutions for Indigenous-led conservation and sustainability initiatives.

November 4-6, San Francisco, California & Online
Register

Opportunities

LAST CALL: Submit Your Nominations for the ILCN Conservation Innovation Award by September 30

In its inaugural year, this $10,000 award will support the work of an individual, organization, or initiative implementing a bold idea to increase the pace, scale, and quality of land conservation anywhere in the world. By recognizing and elevating the work of innovators, the award seeks to inform and inspire individuals and organizations around the globe who are developing ambitious new approaches to land conservation policy and practice. The CI Award is inspired by the work of Jim Levitt who retired this June as ILCN Director.

Learn More and Nominate

Request for Proposals: Exploratory Scenario Planning for Water Resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Lincoln Institute invites applications from community-based partners in Latin America or the Caribbean who are interested in cohosting an exploratory scenario planning (XSP) workshop on water resilience in 2026. Selected partners will work with the Lincoln Institute’s Consortium for Scenario Planning to design and deliver a locally grounded workshop that engages stakeholders in exploring a pressing water-related challenge through an immersive, participatory process. The XSP workshop will focus on understanding the impacts of local issues within a specific place or region, exploring multiple plausible futures, and identifying strategies to respond to uncertainty and build long-term water resilience.

The deadline to apply to cohost the workshop is November 13, 2025.

The application guidelines are also available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Learn More and Submit

The ILCN is Accepting Bids for Regional Representative Contracts

The International Land Conservation Network (ILCN), a project of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, is seeking bids for its Africa Regional Representative contract. These individuals will support the ILCN's outreach to private and civic land conservation organizations across the continent and assist in sharing innovation and best practices around the globe.

For the Africa Regional Representative, preference will go to applicants located in Africa, who are involved in community-based conservation, and who have a strong cross-continent network of professional contacts.

To learn more please email Robin Beckham at rbeckham@lincolninst.edu

Seeking Interviews with Exceptional Conservation Practitioners

Are you or someone you know working on an innovative project, emerging research, or other major development relevant to the international land conservation community? The ILCN is looking to profile experts and practitioners about their current or recent work. For more information or to recommend a practitioner, please reach out to Lily Robinson at lrobinson@lincolninst.edu.

Call for Artists

The ILCN is looking for submissions of artistic work with a connection to land and land protection to feature on our website and in upcoming newsletters. We are open to poetry, short stories, personal essays, visual art, music, and more. Submissions can be sent to Lily Robinson at lrobinson@lincolninst.edu. Please include a short description of the relationship your piece shares with land, nature, or the environment.

We are excited to share stories from ILCN members. If you have a successful conservation initiative, story, event, or webinar to share 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.

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