Statement from SCBNA president Carlos Carroll on the US elections

SCBNA, the North American affiliate of the Society for Conservation Biology, is a community of more than 3,000 conservation scientists and practitioners who are deeply committed to advancing the science and practice of conserving the Earth’s biological diversity. The results of the recent US elections will bring major changes in US federal government policies that affect biodiversity conservation. SCBNA is committed to remaining a strong voice for promoting application of rigorous science to conservation management and policy. Conservation is not inherently a partisan activity. Since SCB’s founding in 1985, the records of all US administrations have shown a mix of advances and retreats in conservation policy and practice. SCBNA will continue to constructively partner with and support government initiatives where doing so advances conservation science and practice, but will also work to inform our members and the public where we see policies that do not appropriately incorporate conservation science or negatively affect biodiversity. We will particularly focus on three priority policy areas where we see a strategic role for SCBNA: defense of scientific integrity in government decision-making, conservation of endangered species, and landscape planning for climate change adaptation. If you are interested in learning more about SCBNA’s policy work, email SCBNA president Carlos Carroll (carlos (at) klamathconservation (dot) org).

SCBNA actively engages with representatives of federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other professional societies to work towards increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of conservation science. We will remain committed to this important work regardless of the political administration. If you are interested in participating in this work please email SCBNA president-elect Jessa Madosky (jmadosky (at) ut (dot) edu) for information about the SCBNA Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee. SCBNA will continue to strongly oppose discrimination against conservation professionals based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability or religion.