An event developed specifically for practitioners who work directly with private landowners is scheduled for July 12-13 in Kansas City, Missouri. Voluntary conservation is not yet widely recognized as a specific discipline within the broader effort to sustain our natural resources. This event, originally conceived by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) – Private and Working Lands Subcommittee, aims to provide a high-quality environment for learning and mentoring as well as helping to build a community of practice for this critically important conservation approach.

 

This forum has been in the works for much of the last four years. A group of partners, including agency and nonprofit conservation organizations, originally planned to convene practitioners and landowners in 2020 before Covid forced a delay.  The event will feature presentations and panels (including landowners) covering topics such as

  • holistic planning
  • effective landowner communication and outreach
  • building successful relationships with landowners and other conservation partners based on trust.

It will also provide a forum for attendees to interact and share information on challenges and opportunities related to voluntary private lands conservation.

 

The forum is co-hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the American Bird Conservancy, with supporters including USDA-NRCS as well as state agencies and conservation NGOs with a Central US focus. Attendees are expected to be a mix of local, state, federal and nongovernmental private lands conservation practitioners, primarily from the central and midwestern states. Folks from other parts of the country are expected as well, due to the interest from partners in other geographies in replicating the forum in future years.

 

See an overview (link) of the agenda and watch for an announcement with registration and lodging information very soon.  Partnerscapes will send a special announcement email to our subscribers when registration becomes available. Attendance is capped at 150 and spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, and we are anticipating good turnout!