A message from our partner, the WILD Foundation:
Dear Wilderness Friends and Family,
The 11th World Wilderness Congress (WILD11) is finally upon us! Between March 19-26, 2020, participants from around the world will gather in Jaipur, India to join this great gathering for the protection of life.
This is your opportunity to influence a global movement for the defense of Earth’s remaining wild places! Throughout 2020, world leaders will meet to decide the fate of biodiversity – never before has wilderness needed the strength, energy, and enthusiasm of its advocates, and WILD11 is how you can be involved! You can sign up here to be notified as soon as registration is available.
WHY 2020?
2020 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change history and take a global step forward towards a new, truly sustainable relationship with nature, one based on respect for wilderness, the future, and ourselves. In October 2020, the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity will convene in China to set new targets for the amount of lands and seas that need protection (currently, 17% terrestrial and 10% marine). Life needs them to think big. Never before have our leaders needed more vision and strength to do what is necessary to protect the future of all life. WILD11 is a powerful stepping stone to the China meeting. It will build vision, strength, and support for them to think big….and to protect half the planet’s land and seas. Read more here.
WHY INDIA?
Indian conservationists have overcome enormous hurdles to achieve one of conservation’s greatest success stories: saving the tiger from near extinction. While half of the world’s nearly 4,000 remaining tigers are in India, they need more natural habitat to thrive and support Indian ecology. That’s why Indians are pioneering effective new solutions to restore wildlands and reintroduce animal and plant species, working hand-in-hand with local communities to rejuvenate human livelihoods as well. Read more here.
OUR PARTNER
Sanctuary Nature Foundation (SNF) – WILD is excited to partner with India’s most established nation-wide network in conservation communications and media. SNF’s flagship publication is Sanctuary Asia, India’s premiere monthly conservation publication. Considered the main “crossroads for conservation” in India, SNF works at the interface of conservation, community, and climate. Of its many programmes, Kids for Tigers is a +1 million network of youth advocating constantly for awareness and protection of the Bengal tiger. Read more about the co-hosts here.
CHINA
WILD’s wilderness work in China continues and is a central objective of WILD11, which will unveil a global leadership committee for Nature Needs Half based within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), some of the world’s most populous and biodiverse countries. We continue to work with Chinese officials and opinion leaders to build and strengthen support for wilderness inside and outside of China. Learn more about WILD’s work in China here.
While you discover more about WILD11 here, also consider the following articles to learn more about this important event.
- How WILD11 will help advance the Global Deal for Nature.
- What species will benefit from WILD11 in India? Let’s start with the notorious “GIB!” . . .
- Infographic: How WILD11 helps build a global community for wilderness, the first necessary step in systemic policy change.
- Nature-Based Solutions: Intact, functional nature is at the heart of finding solutions to three of the world’s most pressing issues: climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable food production.
The future of a wild planet depends upon the actions we take now. Be a delegate to WILD11 and propel awareness that wilderness is the ultimate “nature-based solution” to climate change, extinction, human well-being, the future of a healthy and vibrant world.
Let’s do this, now! I look forward to seeing you there.
For life, livelihoods, and love,
Vance G. Martin
President
The WILD Foundation