• Photo Credit: Destination BC

Celebrating Diversity in Conservation from Summit to Sea

The 2024 congress provides an opportunity for the North American conservation community to unite after three challenging years characterized by a global pandemic, pivotal moments in racial and social justice, and escalating climate change and biodiversity loss. Our theme reflects the urgency of the current times, addressing both conservation biology and our commitment to fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse field of conservation practitioners.

Vancouver – and the University of British Columbia – offer an ideal setting for NACCB 2024. Both UBC and the greater Vancouver area are situated on the on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and Syilx (Okanagan) Nations, and British Columbia represents over 50% of the First Nations languages in Canada (explore this interactive map to learn more!). This culturally diverse city has demonstrated resilience and reinvention in recent years. It serves as a hub for academic and research institutions, government agencies, and grassroots organizations, all working towards a common environmental objective. This convergence of diverse groups, along with the region’s stunning natural environment, provides a fitting backdrop to address critical conservation issues, draw insights from local examples, and advance the field of conservation science.

NACCB 2024 offers a diverse range of symposia, concurrent sessions, workshops, short courses, and field trips to advance discourse and foster collaboration across conservation disciplines. The Congress serves as an open platform for sharing unique perspectives and adapting emerging ideas, technologies, and methods in conservation science. SCB North America is committed to promoting diversity by providing dedicated spaces for Indigenous communities and marginalized groups to share their perspectives, experiences, and practices at the 2024 Congress.

Thank you to Sage Paul, a local, Coast Salish artist with Sage Owl Designs for designing the NACCB 2024 logo and to Brooke Weiland with Brooke Weiland Studios for conference design and marketing materials. We also express our gratitude to the dedicated NACCB 2024 committee members who work tirelessly to bring the Congress to life.

To address barriers faced by underrepresented groups in conservation, SCB North America is actively exploring ways to enhance NACCB attendance and participation. This includes offering scholarships, travel grants, and other related opportunities. Information regarding these options will be promptly shared on the NACCB 2024 website when they are made available.

From Sage Paul:

“This image is a story about the beginning of time and a curious Raven. With a little bit of trickery and a lot of wisdom, Raven set free the light, the sun, the moon, the sea, the sky, and the stars, to take their place in the making of our world.

Raven embodies the conservation of all he liberated, asking us to be guardians of this diverse landscape.

In his wing you see the waves of the ocean, knowing further in their depths the seaweed sways.  Fluttering leaves dot the black Raven’s wing and outlining it all, a continuous red line representing our Salish land.

From the highest mountain to the rocky shores; from Summit to Sea, Raven soars.”