Accomplishments of the 8th
World Wilderness Congress
(read 2007 National Geographic article about El Carmen–Big Bend Transboundary Megacorridor)
The 8th World Wilderness Congress met for nearly two weeks
in Anchorage, Alaska from late September to early October,
2005, bringing together 1,200 delegates from up to 60 nations.
The Congress achieved all of its conservation objectives and
generated several additional unexpected and excellent
results.
 The
8th WWC focused on regional issues in a global context,
emphasized the role of native peoples in protecting
wilderness and wildlands and tackled the controversial
issues of oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge and global warming.
 New
wilderness areas and legislation announced:
Ernesto Enkerlin (President of CONAP, National Commission
for Protected Areas in Mexico) announced that “wilderness”
will be a new official category within Mexico’s protected areas
framework.
 The
CEMEX corporation
announced the designation of the
El Carmen Wilderness Area on critical biodiversity
habitat owned by the corporation in northern Mexico. A
management plan was developed with CEMEX partners Sierra
Madre, Conservation International, Birdlife, The WILD
Foundation and others.
(read 2007 National Geographic article)
Vie Sauvage and the Bonobo Conservation Initiative jointly
announced the designation of The
Bonobo Peace Forest Initiative in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
The Mantis Collection, one of South Africa’s premiere
tourism companies, announced the designation of a new
private sector wilderness on their property Sanbona, in the
succulent Karoo biome.
 Conservation
initiatives:
The
WILD Planet Fund, a funding mechanism for the Wild
Planet Project which aims to clearly articulate the
economic, biological and social benefits of intact
wilderness.
New inventories and definitions of freshwater and marine
wilderness.
The formation of the
Native Lands and Wilderness Council and the
International League of
Conservation Photographers.
The Umzi Wethu
Training Academy for Displaced Youth
addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa.
Numerous accredited training programs for professionals,
scientists, managers and youth prior to and during the
Congress.
49 resolutions addressing a broad range of conservation
concerns.
 Public
Outreach in Alaska:
Partial and full scholarships for Alaskans attending the
Congress.
Free international film festival, “Nature Screen.”
Lasting gift to anchorage of
public sculpture by local artist, Rachelle Dowdy.
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Learn about past congresses:
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Summary
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USA - Alaska, 2005
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South Africa, 2001
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India, 1998 |
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Norway, 1993 |
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USA - Colorado, 1987
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Scotland, 1983
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Australia, 1980
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South Africa, 1977
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Numerous training programs occurred
before and during the 8th WWC. 30 professionals from 21
countries completed an accredited Wilderness Management
course. 15 youth from six countries participated in numerous
communications and information trainings, worked as
communications interns during the 8th WWC, and then
established the World Wilderness Youth Network. Over 200
scientists and managers participated in three days of almost
70 concurrent sessions.
During the 8th WWC, several publications were launched:
Transboundary Conservation and The Alaska Reader among them.
Many publications will come from the material generated during the Congress, including an illustrated trade book
aimed at the mass market; a full technical proceedings
published by the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute
(a significant WWC partner); a wilderness law and policy
handbook for policymakers worldwide; a manual on native
management of wildlands for indigenous communities around
the world and more.
visit the 8th wwc website >
view photos from the Congress >
view resolutions >
listen to voices from the congress >
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