Olivier Chassot*, Graeme Worboys, Rod Atkins, Linda McMillan, Ian Walker & Bernal Herrera

1. International ConnectivityConservation NetworkLinking people and landscapesWorldCommissiononProtectedAreas Olivier Chassot*, Graeme Worboys, Rod Atkins, Linda McMillan, Ian Walker & Bernal Herrera *Deputy Vice-Chair for Connectivity Conservation, Mountains Biome Vice-President for Mesoamerica, IUCN WCPA TBC SG CEO, Tropical Science Center IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

2. The International ConnectivityConservation Network The International Connectivity Conservation Network (ICCN) is a IUCN World Commission on Protected Area (WCPA) voluntary network of individuals and organizations working on individual terrestrial and marine large-scale connectivity conservation projects and initiatives around the world. It primarily aims to provide information, share knowledge and offer assessment in order to foster the protection and promotion of connectivity conservation in the face of climate change’s challenges. IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

3. Objectives • Developing a support and exchange network of connectivity conservation managers, researchers, other professionals and communities dealing with the management of connectivity areas at a large scale. • Promoting a greater awareness of values of connectivity conservation across landscapes among the international community of governments, environmental NGOs, donors and the general public, especially on the light of climate change mitigation and adaptation. IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

4. Objectives • Helping IUCN play a strong role in the connectivity conservation agenda around the world. • Supporting countries in the implementation of Target 11 of the CBD 2010-2020 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. • Facilitating the training of students, managers, other professionals and community members in connectivity conservation through e-information, workshops, seminars and academic programs IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

5. ICCN Executive Team

6. A simple argument Connectivity conservation represents a wonderful opportunity to address the challenges of global change. Within IUCN, it is a cross-cutting issue that is highly relevant for our One Programme. It lies at the very heart of “natural solutions”. IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

7. Connectivity conservation / A natural solution to climate change: It is recognised as a key adaptive strategy by : • IUCN • The IPCC (2007) • The CBD Secretariat (PoWPA): targets 1.1 & 2.1 • Governments and regions such as Australia, Mesoamerica, the Alps, The Himalayas, etc. • All major environmental NGO’s including WWF, Conservation International and the TNC IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

8. Membership Organizations and individuals may be members of the ICCN. Membership is open to large-scale connectivity conservation managers, researchers, other professionals and community group representatives working on connectivity conservation initiatives. WCPA membership is not a pre-requisite for membership of the ICCN. Members of existing networks, such as the WCPA, WCPA Regional Nodes and other IUCN specialist groups who have an interest in connectivity conservation are encouraged to also join the ICCN. IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

9. Communication • ICCN website: connectivityconservation.net • Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media • Blog: RECONNECTIONS • Mountains and Connectivity Conservation newsletter: UPDATE IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

10. Priority activities of the ICCN • Development of our membership • Communication and networking • Establishment of a connectivity conservation award • Strategic planning with the Executive Team and regional Focal Points • Stimulate research on connectivity conservation • Gathering of study cases material at different geographic scales to feed our website and to prepare a “connectivity conservation natural solutions” publication • Translation of basic information into Spanish, French and Russian IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

11. Potential areas of cooperation • Contribute to the new IUCN Natural Resources Governance Framework • Joint work with all IUCN’s commissions, task force groups, member organizations and the Secretariat • UNEP-WCMC Protected Planet • Contributing to the CBD PoWPA • Streamlining connectivity conservation in global events and meeting IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

12. Next meetings • Mountain Connectivity Conservation across Large-scale Landscapes, Rio + 20 side-event, 06-2012 • 6th Mesoamerican Biological Corridors Symposium, XVI Congress of the MSBC, Panama, 09-012 • ICCB (Society for Conservation Biology), Baltimore, 07-2013 (symposium and course) • Asia Park Congress, 2013 (to be determined) • WILD 10, Salamanca, Spain, 10-2013 (to be determined) • VI World Parks Congress, Sydney 2014 (symposium, training for park rangers, field trip) IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

13. Motion at the WCC 2012 Please, support our motion M073: Enhancing Connectivity Conservation through International Networking of Best Practice Management IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net

14. International ConnectivityConservation NetworkLinking people and landscapesWorldCommissiononProtectedAreas Please join us by registering on http://connectivityconservation.net Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter IUCN WCPA International ConnectivityConservation Network: http://connectivityconservation.net