WILDER INSTITUTE LEADS CANADA’S FIRST IUCN SSC CENTRE FOR SPECIES SURVIVAL: PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF CONSERVATION
May 13, 2025
13 MAY 2025 (Calgary, AB) – Breaking new ground in Canada, the Wilder Institute in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) established the country’s first-ever Centre for Species Survival. The new IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival Human Dimensions (CSS Human Dimensions) is currently the first Centre dedicated specifically to human health, sustainable use and livelihoods, focusing on human dimensions of wildlife conservation.
The new CSS Human Dimensions will address some of the critical—but often overlooked—social and cultural aspects of conservation. The Centre will serve as a global hub for sharing resources in inclusive and multi-sectoral conservation approaches, linking the health and livelihoods of local communities with the conservation and sustainable use of wild species.
“Effective species conservation doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when people are part of the solution,” says Dr. Gráinne McCabe, Chief Conservation Officer, Wilder Institute. “This Centre reflects a long-overdue shift—one that recognizes just how deeply people and the future of wildlife are intertwined. As the first of its kind in Canada, it affirms that long-term conservation depends on people, partnerships, and shared purpose. We’re honoured to help lead this global movement.”
Developed in close collaboration with the CEESP SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) and the CEESP SSC Biodiversity and Family Planning Task Force—the initial focus of the CSS Human Dimensions will explore the sustainable use of wild species and how this supports both conservation and local livelihoods, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Far from being peripheral, these themes are central to human health, gender equality, and effective rights-based conservation. Meaningfully integrating actions across sectors paves the way for more effective and sustainable outcomes for people and nature. Yet they remain underrepresented in conservation planning frameworks, largely due to a lack of awareness, resources, or sector-wide support.
“This new Center for Species Survival brings attention to positive and negative interactions and dependencies between humans, other species and the environment more broadly. They remind us that the well-being of all living forms are deeply connected, so that we are all part of One Health: animals, fungi, plants and the ecosystems that we share. We look forward to the development of guidelines and principles that may be scalable across the SSC network,” said Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
With a global focus, this Centre will connect conservation practitioners and leaders with knowledge, tools, and training developed by experts in conservation solutions to maximize local conservation impact.
While there is still important work ahead, the announcement of this Centre marks the beginning of a journey—one that will be shaped by collaboration, community and a shared commitment to conservation. The Wilder Institute is committed to driving this momentum forward, championing an inclusive conservation approach that recognizes people as integral to the solution. This effort underscores the Wilder Institute’s vision for a future where wildlife and human life thrive, together. Learn more at wilderinstitute.org.
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Additional Resources:
- View the media release on the IUCN website here.
For more information contact:
Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Engagement
403.232.7766 | 403.919.9482 | mediarelations@calgaryzoo.com
The Wilder Institute is a global authority on wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve and sustainably manage their own natural resources to positively impact both nature and communities. Our passionate team of staff and volunteers is committed to building a future where people and wildlife thrive, together. Through an inclusive conservation approach and innovative science, we work to save threatened and endangered species and return them to the wild, where our planet needs them to be. We proudly own and operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre, Canada’s largest conservation breeding and research facility. Our expertise lies in conservation breeding and community conservation, using a collaborative approach to work alongside communities and create lasting benefits for both nature and people. Join us in making the world a wilder place—learn more at WilderInstitute.org.
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being. Learn more.
About the IUCN Species Survival Commission
With over 10,500 members in 186 territories, the Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of the seven expert Commissions of IUCN and enables it to influence, encourage and assist societies to conserve biodiversity by building knowledge on the status and threats to species, providing advice, developing policies and guidelines, facilitating conservation planning, and catalysing conservation action. Learn more.
About the IUCN Centers for Species Survival (CSS)
CSS are partnerships between the SSC Chair’s Office and leading species conservation organisations. They empower dedicated partner-based staff teams of at least one full-time staff member, to work closely with relevant SSC Groups in catalysing priority efforts for assess-plan-act at various geographic scales or taxonomic or thematic focuses. Learn more.