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Our Mission

butterflies in treesVision

We envision a world where ecological connectivity is maintained, enhanced, and restored across landscapes and seascapes especially through ecological networks of protected and conserved areas linked by ecological corridors to support the movement of species, connection of habitats, and flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth.

Mission

Our mission is to serve as the international platform for providing scientific, policy, and technical advice that mainstreams connectivity conservation as a nature-based solution to enhance the integrity of protected and conserved areas, conserve biodiversity, and increase resilience to climate change across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

Objectives

  1. Advancing Connectivity Science and Practice: Share, promote, and advance the science, policy, management, and practice of connectivity conservation in line with the 2026-2029 WCPA Mandate, 2026-2029 IUCN Programme, and IUCN Policy Resolutions.
  2. Contributing to Policy, Engagement, and International to Local Frameworks: Advise on efforts to strengthen policy mandates by contributing connectivity conservation expertise, and collaborate on projects that accelerate implementation, especially at national and subnational levels, including through coordination across IUCN; multilateral environmental agreements; the UN system and entities; multilateral, bilateral, and regional actors; international, national, and local NGOs; business and industry; national and subnational ministries and agencies; and Indigenous peoples and local communities.
  3. Increasing Membership and Network Engagement: Maintain engagement of existing, and recruit new members, while increasing active contributions including activating focal points for specific topics, and contributions to add value to individual and combined work.
  4. Operating Working Groups: Operate and coordinate across CCSG and subgroups to provide ongoing specialist expertise and leadership to advance connectivity conservation that addresses specific issues, ecosystems, geographic areas, and species. These working groups operate under separate TORs, aligned with the Specialist Group’s overall mission.