WILDER INSTITUTE SHOWCASES HUMAN-CENTERED CONSERVATION AT GLOBAL IUCN CONGRESS

October 7, 2025

7 OCTOBER 2025 (Calgary, AB) – In just a few days, the Wilder Institute will join conservation leaders from around the world at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (the ‘Congress’) in Abu Dhabi, held October 9-12, 2025. The Congress is one of the largest gatherings of governments, NGOs, scientists, Indigenous representatives, and businesses focused on shaping the future of biodiversity and sustainable development. 

Attending the Congress gives the Wilder Institute a rare opportunity to share its expertise, engage with global leaders, and build partnerships that strengthen conservation outcomes worldwide. While in Abu Dhabi, the Wilder Institute will showcase its Centre for Species Survival (CSS) Human Dimensions, launched in May 2025. This Centre is the first of its kind in Canada—and the first globally—to focus specifically on integrating human health, sustainable use and livelihoods, and rights-based approaches into wildlife conservation. 

“Wildlife and people are interconnected and none of us can survive without healthy environments,” said Dr. Gráinne McCabe, Chief Conservation Officer at the Wilder Institute. “Our Centre puts people at the heart of conservation, linking community well-being with sustainability to create more inclusive, effective, and lasting solutions for both people and wildlife.” 

Developed in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), particularly the CEESP-SSC Sustainable Use & Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) and the CEESP-SSC Biodiversity & Family Planning Task Force (B&FPTF), to address a critical gap in the sector which is local communities lack of access to tools and resources created by these global groups, the CSS Human Dimensions serves as a global hub for sharing resources in an accessible way and fostering partnerships in human-centered conservation. 

At the Congress’s Americas Pavilion (Stand 127), the newly launched CSS will be the focus of two sessions: 

• October 9, 17:00–17:45 – Saving Species, Supporting People: New Centre for Species Survival Focused on the Human-Nature Connection
  An introduction to the CSS Human Dimensions of Conservation—Sustainable Use, Livelihoods, and Health—featuring insights from the CSS team and partners. 

• October 11, 16:00–16:45 – New IUCN CSS for Human Dimensions of Conservation – Sustainable Use, Livelihoods, and Health
  A showcase and networking session to highlight the Centre and explore collaboration opportunities. 

Through its participation in the Congress, the Wilder Institute is not only sharing Canada’s leadership in human-centered conservation but also reinforcing the idea that lasting wildlife conservation depends on the people who share the planet with them. By connecting communities, science, traditional knowledge, and policy, the Wilder Institute is helping to shape a future where both people and wildlife can thrive, together. 

“The IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together the global conservation community,” added McCabe. “It’s an invaluable opportunity to share our work, learn from others, and forge the partnerships that make effective conservation possible.” 

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For more information contact: 

Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Public Relations
403.232.7766 | 403.919.9482 | mediarelations@wilderinstitute.org   

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.