The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is a global community of professional conservation
scientists and practitioners.
The SCB has grown tremendously since it was founded in 1985. Implementation of the goals
identified by the Board of Governors in 1999 led to remarkable success with three major strategic
initiatives: the establishment of the executive office (EO) in Washington DC, the creation of a new
journal focused on conservation practitioners (Conservation), and the evolution of SCB
into an international society.
The SCB Board of Governors has now developed a new strategic plan to build on our recent success by
creating a common vision of the kind of international organization we want to be, revising our goals to
reflect current opportunities and constraints, and identifying the key objectives we need to pursue to
reach our revised goals. The strategic context in which the plan was developed draws on the
organization’s past successes and challenges, particularly the result of its global expansion during the
last five years. Our recent efforts to internationalize have greatly expanded our reach and taxed our
limited staff capacity. The plan also reflects the SCB’s understanding of the needs of its current
members and projections of future trends and needs in conservation science.
Expanding the Impact of Conservation Science is an outline for building the next generation of
publications, programs, and services that will deliver added value to a growing and diverse body of
conservation scientists and practitioners around the world. The plan provides strategic direction and
high-level parameters to guide the SCB’s work over the next five years. The EO, committees, and
sections will develop specific implementation plans (work plans) that address the activities required to
achieve our goals and objectives.
The following goals and objectives are parameters that will guide programmatic development and
build the capacity necessary to maximize the SCB’s impact while maintaining financial stability and
organizational growth in the coming five years. Appendix 1 provides a description of the factors
affecting the strategic planning effort, such as strategic drivers and assumptions. Appendix 2 identifies
the members of the SCB Strategic Planning Committee.
SCB now has over 9000 members in 120 countries around the world. Together this community of
conservation professionals is working to advance the science and practice of conserving the Earth’s
biological diversity. By achieving the goals and objectives articulated in this plan we believe we will
enhance the impact of conservation science in pursuit of our mission.
SCB Board of Governors
Approved July 15, 2005
Brasilia
September 2005
