Hello friends and colleagues, My name is Faisal. I help to run the University of Guelph's Masters of Conservation Leadership (MCL) Program which provides training for conservation leaders, with a focus on partnership building, conservation communications and Indigenous-led conservation. We recently received a sizeable donation that will allow us to offer some excellent entrance scholarships for Canadian and international students to attend the program and receive their masters degree within 24 months. Applications are due by January 11th, 2025. The MCL is a unique program in that students can continue to work while taking courses online. Students also participate in two face-to-face residencies, including one in Indigenous territory. This program would be ideal for conservation professionals interested in developing their skills in: ■ Indigenous-led Conservation■ Public communication■ Private lands conservation■ Strategic Planning■ Evidence-Based Decision-Making■ Partnership Development Our students are working in conservation across the world and include government officials, Indigenous Nations, conservation groups and other organizations. all the best - Faisal Dr. Faisal Moola (fmoola@uoguelph.ca) Associate Professor and Coordinator of MCL Program, University of Guelph, Canada You can find out more from our website at: https://geg.uoguelph.ca/mcl

Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge conservation research. From March 17–22, 2025, Kashmir World Foundation and Tamandua Biological Station are hosting the Rainforest DeepData Expedition, a hands-on research initiative at the intersection of technology and ecology. At the heart of the expedition is KwF’s groundbreaking BioAcoustics Research Initiative. Using AI to analyze bird vocalizations, the project deciphers natural warning signals to detect real-time environmental threats, such as poaching, illegal logging, etc. This work is reshaping how we monitor and protect biodiversity by studying frequency, pressure waves, and acoustic patterns. Participants will contribute to ecological monitoring, camera trap deployment, and bioacoustic data collection, directly supporting KwF’s efforts to create innovative solutions for conservation challenges. This is an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded researchers, explore cutting-edge technologies, and make a lasting impact on wildlife protection. Interested? Let’s connect!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for resources to share with my colleagues to help them improve their vocabulary when writing about rights-based conservation measures, especially those led by Indigenous and local communities. My colleagues would be writing external communication materials on topics like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, designation of Indigenous and Traditional Territories, land tenure and customary rights, community-based conservation, social safeguards, livelihood support, etc., and I want to ensure their language is respectful, inclusive, precise, and aligned with current standards in human rights communication.  If you have any courses (preferred), books, or tools that can assist with this, I’d appreciate your suggestions! Thanks so much!Juliana

It is often difficult for early-career conservationists to know which tools are most effective for a successful start in the field of conservation. This raises the question: 'What are the most powerful tools for an early-career conservationist?' Are data collection, analysis, and GIS (cartography) sufficient?, if yes how do one know his/her data is the best without consulting an experts?