Protected Areas

Misty Herrin is a senior writer with The Nature Conservancy’s marketing team. She reports on news from our international programs for nature.org and print publications.

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The World Conservation Congress

The Conservancy and the Congress
Learn more about what the Conservancy is doing at the World Conservation Congress.

Conservation and Development
Learn more about what the Conservancy is doing at the World Conservation Congress.

Congressional Wishes
Read what Conservancy leaders in conservation want to see come out of the World Conservation Congress.

News on the Congress
Get updates and news on the World Conservation Congress.

WCC Documents
.PDFs of our handouts — including those found on the WCC CD-ROM.

The Nature Conservancy is working to achieve a global network of well-managed and properly funded protected areas - learn how.

The World Conservation Congress includes more than 8,000 participants and 800-plus events covering everything from climate change to biodiversity to the invaluable role of local communities in conservation.

Throughout the first week of the congress, senior conservation writer Misty Herrin is posting short dispatches from the WCC on what the Conservancy is doing to shape the future of conservation.

October 10, 2008: The Final Day, Tired and Inspired

Gutentag! I got a chance to dust off my shaky German when I found myself seated next to Rudolph Sprecht from the German Ministry of the Environment. He was very patient and seemed pleased that I was at least trying. It was slow going though and I probably said something random about train tickets.

Fortunately, his English was flawless, so we were able to have a substantive chat. The German government’s LifeWeb Initiative (.PDF) is a strong supporter of conservation around the world, including projects in the Coral Triangle and Micronesia.

Since the Conservancy is deeply engaged in those areas, I was interested to hear Sprecht’s take on what attracted his government to projects there. I asked if they were motivated by the incredible biodiversity of the coral reefs or the fact that so many people in the region depend on the fish and other resources the reefs provide.

October 9, 2008: From Maine to the Mediterranean – Connecting the Dots

One of the most interesting sessions I attended today was about something we all need and often take for granted – freshwater. One of my colleagues, Kate Dempsey, senior policy advisor for the Maine field office, was a presenter. Afterwards it was interesting to hear her perspective, as a state-based staffer, on the value of being a part of this international event. As it turns out, she was already in the process of writing her own blog of sorts back to the Maine staff.

Click here to read what she had to say>>

October 7, 2008: Finding Inspiration in the Halls of Barcelona

Video: Mark Tercek, president and chief executive officer of The Nature Conservancy addresses the Equator Prize dinner.

The halls of Barcelona’s convention center are buzzing with thousands of conservationists from every corner of the globe.

Many, like me, are clearly overwhelmed- by the choice of events, the many cultures and geographies represented. There’s a wild-eyed look that belies excitement mixed with over-saturation.

But when I cross paths with a Conservancy colleague, I see something else – a sense of calm and focus in these familiar faces – and that helps me stop and take a breath.

As our first day unfolded, it turned out to be a microcosm of the Conservancy’s broader story. The morning began with our new President and CEO Mark Tercek joining leaders in finance, industry, humanitarian aid and community action in a panel discussion on climate change.

After, Mark led a discussion with renowned marine scientist Jane Lubchenko about the status and importance of protected areas, on land and in the water. Throughout the day Conservancy experts participated in sessions on island challenges, freshwater conservation, supporting indigenous peoples, and other issues.

The evening brought a gala event celebrating the achievements of 25 small, grassroots organizations from developing countries around the equator. Mark co-hosted the 2008 Equator Prize ceremony with Ted Turner, chairman of the United Nations Foundation. The biennial prize recognizes communities making extraordinary efforts to reduce poverty through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

October 2, 2008: Getting Ready for the World Conservation Congress

"Some things can’t be done over the internet." That’s the tagline for the IUCN’s World Conservation Congress, which kicks off Monday in Barcelona. That’s hard for a web addict like me to accept, but it’s true. There’s no substitute for the power of meeting face-to-face.

More than 8,000 of the world’s leading environmental decision makers agree, so they’re descending upon Barcelona to exchange knowledge, brainstorm, team up, celebrate successes, and make new plans that are so ambitious and creative they just might work.