Highlights of the CBD/CoP-16 Official Side Event “Ecological Connectivity: A Key to Powering Delivery of the KMGBF”

From 21 October to 1 November 2024, representatives from 196 countries' governments, Indigenous Peoples, NGOs and other interested institutions gathered in Cali, Colombia for the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/CoP-16).

In parallel to formal policy negotiations among the country parties, over 300 official side events showcased advances in biodiversity conservation. On the 22nd, co-hosting organizations and governments* welcomed over 130 attendees to the side event "Ecological Connectivity: A Key to Powering Delivery of the KMGBF". With a focus on exemplifying connectivity conservation commitments and implementation to fulfill the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), speakers included representatives of five countries and five collaborative efforts emphasizing:

The importance of connectivity in addressing the interrelated challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecosystem degradation;

Opportunities for new National Biodiversity and Strategic Action Plans to address connectivity and more effectively meet commitments of the KMGBF; and

Insights and examples to inspire the integration of connectivity conservation science, policy, and best practice across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

This short summary and photos highlight the speakers and topics covered during the event.

Introductory remarks

Gary Tabor, CEO, Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) and Chair, IUCN-WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG) providing an overview of “Ecological Connectivity for Powering Implementation of Global Goals”

Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary, Convention on Migratory Species introducing “The Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity: Advancing Priorities and Scaling-up Across Institutions”

National Efforts for Conserving Connectivity

Patsy Contardo, Ocean Affairs Lawyer – Division of Environment, Climate Change and Oceans, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile presenting the “Americas for the Protection of the Pacific Ocean Coalition”

Glenda Ortega, Undersecretary of Natural Patrimony of the Ministry of Environment, Ecological Transition and Water (MAATE), Ecuador updating on “Progress in the Implementation of Ecological Corridors in Ecuador”

Megh Nath Kafle, Head of Environment and Biodiversity Division, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal giving insights into past and future national planning for “Connectivity Conservation in Nepal”

Patience Gandiwa, Director International Conservation Affairs & Technical Advisor, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority emphasizing “Securing Connectivity for Coexistence Across Zimbabwe’s Protected and Conserved Areas”

Collaborative Efforts to Implement and Measure Connectivity Conservation

Fernanda Teixeira, Linear Infrastructure Ecology Consultant, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, sharing ongoing work and opportunities for “Safeguarding Connectivity by Avoiding and Mitigating Impacts of Linear Infrastructure”

Wendy Elliott: Deputy Leader, Wildlife Practice, WWF International, presenting “The Wildlife Connect and Free Flowing Rivers Initiatives: Connected Habitats for Thriving Wildlife”

Heather Bingham: Senior Programme Officer, Protected Planet, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, briefing on progress “Piloting the World Database on Ecological Corridors (WDEC)”

Stephen Woodley: Vice Chair for Science and Biodiversity, IUCN – World Commission on Protected Areas, covering “Connectivity and the IUCN WCPA – PAs, OECMs, Green List, KBAs, and Climate”

Dagmar Zikova: Scientific Adviser, Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species, emphasizing the “CMS Atlas on Animal Migration as a tool to understand and address ecological connectivity”

*Co-hosts of the event were Core Partners of the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC), namely the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC); IUCN-WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG); Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS); UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and additionally the Division of Environment, Climate Change and Oceans of Chile; Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador; and National Secretariat for Biodiversity, Forests and Animal Rights of Brazil.

State	Year	Policy	Description
New Hampshire	2026	SB592	Enables regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors
New Hampshire	2019	SB200	Requires the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to consider fish and wildlife crossings and mitigation measures in all future road and culvert projects
New Hampshire	2016	SB376	Requires the fish and game department to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors connecting wildlife habitats in the state and to make recommendations for legislative changes

State	Year	Policy	Description
Maine	2023	LD258	Appropriates $7.5 million to Department of Transportation to improve roadways with potential adaptations for wildlife
Maine	2023	LD1881	Establishes compensation fee program relating to fish and wildlife habitats and associated corridors, including compensation paid by solar energy development
Maine	2023	LD508	Requires Department of Environmental Protection to review its permitting laws concerning climate change, habitat connectivity, ecological resilience, and coastal environments

State	Year	Policy	Description
New Jersey	2025	S3618	Directs state agencies to develop a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan
New Jersey	2024	S3916/A5486	Expands eligibility for existing wildlife fencing programs by including farmers leasing farmland
New Jersey	2007	NJAC7:13	Requires the state to incorporate wildlife crossings or a natural bank for terrestrial threatened and endangered species and/or species of concern when a new bridge or culvert project would cause habitat fragmentation

State	Year	Policy	Description
New Mexico	2023	SB72	Appropriates money to new Wildlife Corridors Fund for implementation of wildlife crossing projects under New Mexico Wildlife Corridor Action Plan
New Mexico	2022	HB 2	Allocates funding for projects to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and allows the Department of Transportation and Department of Game to implement their Wildlife Corridors Action Plan
New Mexico	2019	SB 228	Requires the creation of a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan that includes comprehensive guidance to agencies for identifying, prioritizing and maintaining important areas for wildlife movement

State	Year	Policy	Description
Washington	2023	HB1216/SB5196	Requires Department of Ecology to prepare environmental impact statements for clean energy projects that consider impacts to habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors
Washington	2022	SB5689	Provides funding for US 97 Wildlife Crossing Improvements project
Washington	2019	SEO 1031.02	Recognizes the effect of roadways in creating barriers to wildlife movement, breeding, and migrations; the Washington State Department of Transportation will promote and support Practical Solutions and Planning and Environmental Linkages to integrate habitat connectivity and biodiversity plans; will make use of the highway prioritization map known as Habitat Connectivity Investment Priorities; and will corporate and coordinate with other agencies involved in wildlife habitat protection, specifically along highways

Connecting Science to Conservation

Highlights of the CBD/CoP-16 Official Side Event “Ecological Connectivity: A Key to Powering Delivery of the KMGBF”

About the Author: IUCN CCSG

State	Year	Policy	Description
Wyoming	2026	SF0052	Allocates funds for restoration of aquatic habitats including barrier removal for fish
Wyoming	2025	SF0088	Allocates funds for projects improving wildlife connectivity including fence removal, wildlife crossings improvements, and habitat restoration
Wyoming	2024	SF0060	Provides funds to help maintain primary migration corridors for ungulates in the Little Snake River Conservation District
Wyoming	2023	SF0106	Provides funds for large wildlife crossing projects across the state
Wyoming	2022	SF0048	Approves funding for specific wildlife crossings and aquatic connectivity initiatives
Wyoming	2021	SF066	Provides funds for large wildlife crossing projects across the state
Wyoming	2020	EO 1	Designates three mule deer migration corridors and establishes the process whereby future corridors can be designated
Wyoming	2020	HB 69	Establishes a system wherein funding from outdoor recreation can be appropriated for wildlife conservation efforts related to the state’s transportation system
Wyoming	2018	HB39	Proceeds from the newly established wildlife conservation license plates are allocated to wildlife connectivity improvements to the state transportation system

State	Year	Policy	Description
Vermont	2023	Act59	Vermont's 30x30 law that commits to conserving and maintaining an ecologically functional landscape that sustains biodiversity and maintains landscape connectivity
Vermont	2016	Act 171	Primarily focuses on timber harvesting regulations, but calls for a study of necessary revisions to planning statutes that protect contiguous areas of forestland from fragmentation and promote habitat connectivity between forestlands

State	Year	Policy	Description
California	2026	SB1250	Requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to include wildlife connectivity corridors and needs into its infrastructure project planning
California	2024	AB1889	Requires counties and municipalities to conserve wildlife corridors when planning new developments
California	2023	AB1760	Calls for a statewide analysis of wildlife corridors and connectivity to support conservation planning and climate change adaptation activities.
California	2023	SB145	Outlines provisions for transportation-related environmental mitigation, including funding for wildlife corridors, property and credit purchases for mitigation, reporting requirements, and mandates for wildlife crossings along Interstate 15.
California	2023	SB101	Provides funding for wildlife corridors and open spaces, including projects to improve connectivity and reduce barriers between habitat areas.
California	2022	AB2344	Establishes a state program to address roads with high wildlife-vehicle collisions, authorizes Caltrans to develop standalone wildlife connectivity projects, mandates an inventory and prioritization system for critical areas, and requires integration of wildlife passage features into relevant road designs.
California	2022	AB1384	Requires agencies to address vulnerabilities in Safeguarding California Plans, including protecting and enhancing wildlife corridors
California	2021	SB790	Approves compensatory mitigation credits for wildlife connectivity actions
California	2021	AB1183	Establishes the California Desert Conservation Program to protect biodiversity, including the protection and enhancement of habitat connectivity
California	2021	AB128	Appropriates funding for wildlife crossing projects, including the Liberty Canyon crossing for mountain lions
California	2015	AB 498	Amends the California Fish and Game Code to encourage, wherever feasible, voluntary steps to protect the functioning of wildlife corridors
California	2014	AB1471	Provides funds to the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, in part to protect and restore aquatic, wetland, and migratory bird ecosystems including corridors.
California	2008	AB2785	Orders Dept. of Fish & Wildlife to investigate, study, and identify key wildlife corridors and linkages within the state, and to make those areas public

State	Year	Policy	Description
Florida	2024	SB1638	Dedicates annual funding to land purchases, conservation easements, and trail maintenance within Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2023	HB1379	Creates annual appropriation to acquire lands that complete certain linkages and are under high population stress within Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2023	SB2500 sec.146	Provides funding to buy Ocala to Osceola (“O2O”) Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2021	SB976	Tasks state agencies with maintaining wildlife connectivity and designates Florida Wildlife Corridor as an existing physical, geographically defined area
Florida	2021	SB2500	Appropriates $300 million to acquire lands to conserve Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2019	SB7068	Creates a "Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance Program" that includes protection of wildlife corridors as an intended benefit
Florida	2008	SB542	Amends Florida Forever Act statues to include goals of connecting linkage corridors
Florida	2001	SB1468	Amends Florida Forever Act to establish that land acquisitions should include complete landscape linkages and corridors
Florida	1999	S908	Creates Florida Forever Program, with increased protection of lands that protect threatened or endangered species and plans to create a statewide system of connected landscape linkages