The World Conservation Union is the world’s largest and most important conservation network. The Union brings together 82 States, 111 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.



The Union’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.



The importance of well-functioning ecosystems in helping reduce poverty and improve livelihoods, societies and economies is increasingly clear to scientists. This knowledge needs be integrated into the decisions and actions of local, national and international policy makers in all sectors, as well as business leaders.



The World Conservation Union continues to improve scientific understanding of what natural ecosystems provide to humans. But the Union also seeks to ensure this knowledge is used in practical ways by bringing together scientists, policy makers, business leaders and NGOs to impact the way the world values and uses nature.



The World Conservation Union supports and develops cutting-edge conservation science; implements this research in field projects around the world; and then links both research and results to local, national, regional and global policy by convening dialogues between governments, civil society and the private sector.