IUCN Task Force on Nature-based Education

Launched in 2024, the IUCN Task Force on Nature-based Education brings together over 175 experts and 50 organisational partners from 40+ countries to advance collective global efforts to align our education and learning systems with our shared environmental and conservation goals. 

Co-Chairs: 

Sean Southey (CEO, Canadian Wildlife Federation and past IUCN CEC Chair 2017-2025) 
Luis Camargo (Founder and Executive Director of OpEPA, IUCN CEC Regional Vice Chair for South America) 

Working Groups

1. Global Plan of Action Support – Guides and support Parties in drafting and implementing a Global Plan on Education for Biodiversity.
2. Communications, Website & NBSAP Guidance – Develops a digital platform, communication strategy, and policy guidance for integrating education into biodiversity strategies.
3. Global Survey – Maps current NbE practices, strategies, and resources worldwide.
4. Case Studies – Showcases practical examples from schools, cities, and conservation organizations.
5. Research Synthesis – Summarizes global evidence and develop communication tools for policymakers.
6. Capacity Strengthening – Designs strategies to build skills among educators, conservation professionals, and leaders.
7. Formal Education Systems – Compiles frameworks integrating NbE, climate, and biodiversity education into curricula.
8. Technology & NbE – Explores the role of digital innovation and Tech4Nature in education.
9. Funding – Creates a fundraising strategy and funding database for NbE initiatives.
10. Greening Schoolyards – Leads a global strategy to transform school grounds into living classrooms for climate and biodiversity action.
11. Arts and Culture - Explores the role of the arts in effective biodiversity education. 

Impact 

Task Force members have collaborated on dozens of publications, events, and initiatives - sparking new global connections and inspiring action for Nature-based Education around the world. The Task Force has: 

• Sent expert Fellows to support the Salzburg Global Nature-based Education Time for Action gathering and launched the Salzburg Statement on Nature-based Education.
• Hosted the Nature-based Education Pavilion at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, bringing together over 100 organizations, 300 speakers for a week of nature education programming in Abu Dhabi.
• Collaborated on the publication Learning for Life: Mobilizing Education for the Global Biodiversity Framework
• Co-hosted the First Nature-based Education Summit (Los Angeles, May 2024) in collaboration with the Alana Foundation, UCLA, the UCLA Lab School, and EARTHDAY.ORG
• Coordinated Education Day at CBD COP16 (Cali, Colombia, October 2024) and advocated for a global plan of action for education on biodiversity
• Produced an IUCN Explainer Brief on Nature-based Education, with other publications to be launched in early 2026.
• Supported the production of Ten steps to green school grounds & nature-based education
   

Learn More

To learn more about the work of the IUCN Task Force on Nature-based Education, please contact IUCN CEC Executive Officer Natalie Cox at [email protected] or [email protected].