It’s confirmed!  WILD9 will be the largest conservation photography event ever! With photography greats such as James Balog, Art Wolfe, Thomas Manglesen, Nick Nichols and David Doubilet presenting in the plenary sessions and many other top-notch photographers speaking, running workshops, exhibiting and involved in the planning – WILD9’s conservation photography agenda is unprecedented. Patricio Robles Gil, Cristina Mittermeier and Staffan Widstrand will also be in attendance and are integrally involved.

Preceding WILD9 is the Yucatan RAVE by the iLCP. Photographers, videographers and journalists will embark on the Yucatan to document deforestation, tourism, forest fires, flagship species and areas of conservation priority. The images and multi-media pieces from the RAVE will come directly to WILD9, for a one-of-a-kind opening-day presentation to delegates and global decision makers.

WILD9 will also host four premier photographic galleries from National Geographic, Wild Wonders of Europe, MesoAmerican Biological Corridor and LOOK3 by Nick Nichols.  View a slideshow gallery of images from Wild Wonders of Europe >

The Nahanni National Park Reserve (Northwest Territories, Canada) is now over 3 times the size of Yellowstone NP! The park, originally declared in 1972 at 4,766 sq km, expanded by nearly 600% in early June. WILD’s new VP for Conservation Strategy Harvey Locke, a key player in the campaign, was at the official ceremony on 9 June 2009 where the tireless work of the Deh Cho First Nations and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society were recognized in helping to create one of the world's largest national parks.

The new boundary protects prime habitat for grizzly bears, woodland caribou and Dall’s sheep. It protects the highest mountains and largest glaciers in the NW Territories and the deepest canyons in Canada. The expansion is also a critical move in our world-wide approach to climate change. According to Locke, “There are two fundamental ways in which this announcement addresses climate change. It increases the ability of wildlife and natural habitats to adapt to the ecological changes produced by climate change. In addition, the protection of large wilderness areas is a critical part of the strategy to avert or mitigate climate change, not just adapt to its impacts.”  Read more about this exciting announcement >

The WILD9 Young Professional track is gaining momentum with many interested delegates, developing programs and a new connection with the WCPA (World Commission on Protected Areas) Young Protected Areas Professionals Task Force, lead by Svetlana Kopylova.

The WCPA network is planning a presentation of this new group, opportunities for young leaders not currently involved with the WCPA to get involved, working groups on capacity building and career development and more. The WCPA program will fully mesh with the WILD9 agenda and other opportunities highlighted for Young Professional delegates. For more information and to get involved with the Young Professional program at WILD9 please contact Emily.

The newest member of our WILD team, Harvey Locke, is WILD’s Vice President for Conservation Strategy. Globally known for his work on wilderness, national parks and large landscape conservation from Yellowstone to Yukon and beyond, Locke brings a great depth of knowledge and experience and a wealth of enthusiasm to WILD. {photo of Harvey Locke and Parks Canada CEO Alan Latourelle at the Nahanni expansion announcement}

Locke is stepping into a leading role in a global effort to re-unite conversations on climate change mitigation and nature conservation and recently co-authored an article for our International Journal of Wilderness on the topic.  Read The Nature of Climate Change >

Hlengiwe Dube is one of South Africa’s most knowledgeable beading experts. Her work with the African Craft Center (Durban, South Africa) brings the craftwork from remote villages, such as those in Kwa-Zulu Natal to interested collectors and consumers. This book is one of the only studies of African art written by an African artist. It draws from her personal experiences and generational stories – describing the messages conveyed by each color and color combination of beads. This book is available through WILD's online store >

Protecting wilderness is a great way to address climate change, but very few people know about it! You can help spread the word by creating an action with 350.org for 24 October 2009. Take a hike in your favorite wilderness, do a presentation on the wilderness you are working to protect or create your own special way to show the importance of protecting wilderness because of it's crucial role in addressing climate change.

Send us your photos - upload them on Flickr - talk about them on Twitter! Please use the tag #350WILD9 so that we can track our collective actions!

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