The Society for Conservation Biology's International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) is recognized as the most important international meeting for conservation professionals and students. ICCBs are a forum for addressing conservation challenges. They are the global venue for presenting and discussing new research and developments in conservation science and practice. Most importantly, they connect our global community of conservation professionals and serve as the major networking outlet for anyone interested in conservation. Attendance has increased 60% in the past six years, reaching 1600 at our 2007 meeting in South Africa.

The first ICCB was held in 1988 in Bozeman, Montana, USA. Since then, SCB Annual Meetings have been held in Africa, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. Plenary sessions are presented by conservation leaders and visionaries - speakers have included Richard Cowling, Gustavo Fonseca, Jeremy Jackson, Jane Lubchenco, Sir Robert May, and Michael Soulé, just to name a few. Each year the congress features numerous symposia, concurrent sessions, workshops, short courses and field trips. Past symposia have included such diverse topics as: the population biology of invasive species; global amphibian decline; how to integrate conservation research into policy; indigenous communities and conservation; comparing marine and terrestrial ecosystems–implications for conservation theory and practice; the application of top predator distribution to the design and efficacy of reserves; and real-world social and economic solutions to preserve biodiversity.

Our attendees are concerned with the science and practice of conserving biological diversity. The ICCB is always global in scope, bringing together conservation professionals and students from every sector of the field including the biological and social sciences, management, policy and planning. Attendees work for universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private foundations and organizations and publications. They are scientists, students, managers, decision-makers, writers and other conservation professionals from throughout the world. Some come to present, others come for the incredible networking opportunities of the congress, so join us!

MEETING THEME

Engaging Society in Conservation (Te Whenua, Te Moana, Te Papa Atawhai Whakamaua ki Tina)

Biodiversity around the world continues to decline at an ever-increasing pace, yet much of society carries on business as usual. How can conservation professionals engage with society to achieve positive outcomes for conservation without compromising our scientific rigor or integrity?

New Zealand provides the perfect location to see first-hand the challenges facing conservation biology as we attempt to deal with habitat loss, changing farming practices, over-fishing, extinction, and a human population losing contact with the natural world. New Zealand offers examples of grass-roots conservation that have turned degraded land back to forest, of government agencies that have saved species on the brink of extinction, and of businesses that have actively engaged in biodiversity conservation. But it is also a place where primary production and industries dominate the economy, and their interactions with biodiversity continue to threaten conservation success. Engagement with farmers, foresters, fishers and business, as well as with local communities, NGOs and government agencies, is essential for successful biodiversity conservation.

We hope you will join us in Auckland for the 25th International Congress of the Society for Conservation Biology, as we explore both the science of conservation, and how we can engage all aspects of society in conservation.