2021 International Symposium on Conservation Impact
Tuesday, September 28 – Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Virtual Event
In 2021, the symposium will serve as the first major public convening focused on next steps for the Biden administration’s America the Beautiful initiative. Top-level officials from the U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture, as well as the White House Council on Environmental Quality, will explore how to conserve 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030.
The two-day event will also feature researchers, practitioners, and political leaders from Canada, Mexico, and Indigenous territories, who—along with their U.S. counterparts—will explore the state of progress toward similar large landscape conservation goals at the continental scale, and highlight lessons learned from other national-level efforts, such as Canada’s Pathway to Target One. A variety of keynote presentations, panels and networking events will focus on transboundary partnerships, the role of Indigenous nations, and best practices to achieve large landscape goals in the face of climate change in North America. Together, we will look at science and data, policies, and case studies to better understand the benefits that transboundary work can deliver for biodiversity, climate, and human resilience.
Keep reading for a glimpse of this year's program. For more details, please download our updated agenda or visit the Salazar Center online.
Pre-Symposium
In the week preceding the event, Mountain & Prairie podcast, hosted by Ed Roberson of Palmer Land Conservancy, will feature Lesli Allison of Western Landowners Alliance and Tuda Libby Crews of Ute Creek Cattle Company in a conversation about the critical role of private and working lands in achieving durable conservation outcomes in the U.S.
Tuesday, September 28
On the first day of the symposium, conservation experts from throughout the North American continent will set the stage: Where did landscape-scale conservation goals come from? Where are we now, and how do we move forward to achieve these goals?
Welcome and introductory remarks
Beth Conover, Salazar Center for North American Conservation
Tony Frank, Colorado State University
Luis Benitez, VF Corporation (emcee)
Where did landscape-scale conservation goals come from?
Stephen Woodley, World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature
Seeing Things Whole
Karl Burkart, One Earth
The state of practice and policy
Brian O’Donnell, Campaign for Nature
Nadine Spence, Parks Canada, Government of Canada
Andrew Rhodes Espinoza, Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mexico
Moderated by Dr. Rebecca Gruby, Colorado State University
Implementing the vision for Indigenous leadership in conservation
Valerie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Indigenous-led conservation: Models and opportunities
Leroy Little Bear, University of Lethbridge
Karlin Itchoak, The Wilderness Society
Henry Lickers, International Joint Commission
Moderated by Valerie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Keynote: Doug Chadwick, author and wildlife biologist
Transboundary Conservation: Helping each other reach conservation targets
Jodi Hilty, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Eli Enns, Isaak Olam Foundation; Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation
Leanna Heffner, The Northwest Boreal Partnership
Moderated by Gary Tabor, Center for Large Landscape Conservation
Transboundary conservation at the US-Mexico border
Louise Misztal, Sky Island Alliance
Juan Carlos Bravo, Wildlands Network
Jeremiah H. Leibowitz, Cuenca Los Ojos
Moderated by Jennifer Gooden, Biophilia Foundation
Wednesday, September 29
On the second day of the symposium, the conversation will build on the examples and opportunities introduced on day one. National leaders will explore how to advance landscape-scale conservation goals across international boundaries and lay the foundation for future commitments.
Welcome and introductory remarks
Beth Conover, Salazar Center for North American Conservation
Joyce McConnell, Colorado State University
John Podesta, Center for American Progress (emcee)
Keynote addresses on climate change and America the Beautiful
Tom Vilsack, Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture
Deb Haaland, Secretary, United States Department of Interior
Brenda Mallory, Chair, United States Council on Environmental Quality
Leaders from North America discuss opportunities and challenges for 30x30 moving forward
Sally Jewell, United States Department of the Interior
Harvey Locke, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Martha Delgado Peralta, Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mexico
Moderated by John Podesta, Center for American Progress
The link between climate change and conservation goals
Former Vice President Al Gore
Strengthening partnerships to meet climate change challenges to sustaining and conserving nature
Dennis Ojima, Ecological Society of America; Colorado State University; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Expanding nature-based solutions to achieve landscape-scale climate change and biodiversity goals
Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency, State of California
The intersection of climate change and biodiversity conservation
Michael Mantell, Resources Legacy Fund
Tiernan Sittenfeld, League of Conservation Voters
The intersection of Indigenous conservation, climate change resilience, and biodiversity
Erik Stegman, CEO, Native Americans in Philanthropy
Thursday, September 30 - Thriving Cities Challenge Finalist Pitch Fest
Hear live pitches from finalists for the international Thriving Cities Challenge, the Salazar Center's second annual conservation impact prize. Up to five teams will be awarded funding to implement their proposed projects. Meet the finalists and learn more about their proposals at thrivingcitieschallenge.org/results. The Pitch Fest will be held entirely virtually, and registration is free to all.
