WILD 9 is a results-oriented conservation project that keeps wilderness areas, wild nature and their benefits to people at the center of the action at all times. Consistent with the WWC history and process, WILD 9 is planned and implemented over a two year period, during which practical objectives are established and strategies, coalitions and timelines are created in order to achieve specific results. Work is progressing well. The Executive Committee is planning and coordinating the program of work, assisted by the Advisory Board and many project committees.

"WILDERNESS, THE CLIMATE´S BEST ALLY"

Large wild areas – terrestrial and marine — are essential to a healthy and sustainable human society. Smaller or local wilderness areas are also important for our well-being, as they provide solitude, recreation, a sense of spirit, and sustenance for dependent, local human communities. Wild nature is also a key element in many of the life-support systems and essential goods such as freshwater –an alarmingly declining resource—, clean air, healthy soil, carbon storage, and more. Degradation of wild lands and seas seriously disturb these critical ecosystem services. In addition, all recent studies agree that large, wild ecosystems –terrestrial and marine—provide an extraordinarily cost-effective solution to the serious threats of rapidly increasing environmental change. They are powerful buffers that mitigate the impact of climate change.

Protecting and sustaining wild nature has never been as important as it is now! Under the increasing and combined pressures of global issues such as climate change, freshwater scarcity, and the loss of biodiversity, the world community is organizing now to find solutions . From cities to villages, corporations to the farm, we are all in this together.

The WILD 9 program will be organized with themes, topics and other elements, so that protecting and sustaining wilderness is understood and utilized as a core component of all plans to address global environmental change. Other specific outcomes are also being planned, and may include new protected areas, new wilderness laws and policies, new funding opportunities, more trained wilderness managers, and more.

Major Themes

Wilderness, wild lands and seas will be addressed presenting models and solutions in six major theme areas:

• Freshwater
• Climate Change
• Fire
• Transboundary and Connectivity Issues
• Large Landscapes and Seascapes
• Human Communities in Transition
Topics within Themes

Some of the topics being applied to these themes will include

• Law and Policy
• Science and Research
• Management Training
• Capacity Building
• Economic and Corporate Sustainability
• Constituency Building (Communications for Conservation)
• Social and Tourism benefits of Wilderness
• Arts and Culture in Service to Conservation
• Indigenous Wisdom and Practice
• Religion and Spirit
Program Structure

WILD 9’s substantive program is divided into three components:

• Pre-Congress Training Sessions (2 days)
• Global Wilderness Forum (2 days)
• Wilderness Working Sessions (5 days)
There will be plenary sessions; many concurrent technical, management, and poster sessions in the afternoons; pre and post, regional eco-tours, and daily local tours; accredited training sessions before and during the Congress; many associated meetings of other peer groups, organizations, associations; and more.

Cultural Program

One the WWC’s guiding principles is that “Culture is not just entertainment…it is part of the conservation solution.” WILD 9 continues the WWC tradition of significant program participation by contemporary and traditional artists in both folklore and fine arts, music, dance, writing and (of course) conservation photography. WILD 9 will be productive and output-oriented…and it will be fun!