Dr Grethel Aguilar assumed this month the office of Acting Director General of the IUCN, bringing 30 years of experience in conservation and sustainable development. She has played a vital role in environmental law and policy, collaborating with governments and civil society.

On the Edge offers US$100,000 in financial support for projects associated with SSC Groups and evolutionarily distinct species and lineages. The application period for this funding opportunity runs from August 31st to September 30th, 2023.

Considering the critical role of human behaviour and decision-making in driving the unprecedented rate of species extinction, the IUCN through its Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) created the inter-commission Behaviour Change Task Force. The main goal of the Task Force is to act as a knowledge broker between the behavioural sciences and those working to conserve biodiversity.

The IUCN CEESP SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) is delighted to share news of the launch of a new database which has been created to collect (and, in future, synthesise) information on the utilisation of wild species across the globe. The Species Use Database (SpUD) has a specific focus on the sustainability of the use of a wild species, however, it also captures records documenting where use is not sustainable. We encourage members SSC-wide who are working in this area, or have an interest in species use, to register, explore and contribute data!  

This year’s Calls specifically target the conservation of threatened Freshwater species, following an assessment by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The development of linear transport infrastructure (LTI) can have a variety of direct and indirect impacts on protected and conserved areas (PCAs) and other intact areas with high biodiversity and ecological connectivity values. Poorly planned and constructed roads, railways and canals can sever habitats, disrupt ecosystems and threaten species. However, a growing number of solutions are available for overcoming these challenges, balancing the social and economic benefits of LTI development with ecological well-being. Read the full press release here.

IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group Predicting suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered African wild ass Equus africanus in the Danakil Desert of Eritrea.

IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group Satellite-monitored movements of the Amazon River dolphin and considerations for their conservation

We are pleased to announce the release of the latest issue of Gajah, the journal of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group. This 56th edition is now accessible for free online.

Check out the online training opportunities organized by the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) to gain new tools for effectively developing and implementing species conservation plans.

Join us for a virtual workshop series with GLMV Architecture's Zoo Division and learn how to maximize your conservation impact by conducting a SWOT analysis, prioritizing initiatives, and optimizing your organizational capacity. Moving from Mission to Outcomes: ensuring your conservation impact!

Do not miss the content of the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group, with webinars, presentations, training materials, and more, providing tools to learn how to manage human-wildlife challenges.

Are you an SSC member? Join us! This site consolidates all the resources that a member might need to perform their daily activities as a part of SSC. We encourage you to be part of this platform and explore and enjoy its multiple benefits.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Pablo Borboroglu, the founder and Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Penguin Specialist Group, on being named the winner of the 2023 Indianapolis Prize for his outstanding contributions to conservation. Dr. Borboroglu's tireless efforts in protecting penguins and their habitats have made a significant impact on global conservation efforts.

The next WildTeam online training workshops are available for booking: