Welcoming Dr. Margaret Kinnaird as the New Editor of PARKS Journal

PARKS Journal

A renowned conservation biologist with over four decades of international experience, Margaret brings a wealth of expertise and vision to IUCN WCPA’s flagship journal. Her career spans leadership roles in conservation organizations including WWF-International, where she guided global wildlife strategies, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), where she founded and directed the Indonesia Program. As she takes on this new role, Margaret’s dedication to advancing science and practice in protected areas will undoubtedly guide PARKS into an exciting new chapter.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Emeritus Prof. Marc Hockings, the outgoing Editor, for his tireless efforts in managing PARKS over the years. 

Under Marc’s leadership, the journal has become a cornerstone of knowledge for the global conservation community, providing a platform for cutting-edge research and real-world solutions. His dedication has ensured that PARKS remains a trusted resource fo practitioners, policymakers, and researchers worldwide.

As PARKS moves forward under Margaret’s stewardship, we look forward to seeing the journal continue to thrive. With a focus on bridging science, policy, and practice, PARKS will remain at the forefront of addressing the complex challenges facing protected areas globally. Margaret’s leadership promises to build on the journal’s legacy while fostering innovation and inclusivity for the future of conservation.

About PARKS

PARKS: The International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation is published by IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). It is published twice a year as an online, open-access and peer-reviewed journal and is a rigorous, challenging publication with high academic credibility and standing. Learn more at https://parksjournal.com/ . It is a Diamond Open Access journal (open access for all papers, peer- reviewed but with no author processing charges). It currently has a Scopus Cite score of 5.8 places it in the top 20% of journals in its classification (Nature and Landscape Conservation).

About Margaret Kinnaird

Dr. Margaret Kinnaird

Dr. Margaret Kinnaird is a retired conservation biologist living in Nairobi, Kenya. Margaret is a global authority on wildlife conservation with over 40 years of international experience working on endangered species, protected area management, and building capacity of young, developing nation scientists. Most recently, she led WWF-International’s Wildlife Practice where she was responsible for strategic alignment and delivery of the global network’s wildlife conservation goals. She founded and directed the Wildlife Conservation Society's Indonesia Program and spent 14 years leading research on endangered birds and mammals, wildlife exploitation and forest dynamics. She spent 8 years as Executive Director of the Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia, Kenya where her research interests focused on the influence of livestock management regimes on wildlife abundance and diversity. Margaret has authored 2 books, over 100 scientific articles, and numerous popular articles. She currently serves on the boards of Wildlife Direct and Save the Rhino-USA.