We conduct research, provide advice, and convene groups of leaders and experts to search for solutions. We take no position on public issues but rather provide a platform to further discussion.

Although we are not an academic institute, we try to build bridges between the practical and academic worlds. We have been affiliated with Claremont Graduate University since 1972.

We are a catalytic organization with a small group of staff and formal associates and an extensive network in the United States and abroad. We aim to make a difference by broadening the community of the concerned and making sure the results of our projects find their way to people who can act on them. Our publications are used around the world.

CIPA has convened, studied, and promoted high-level public policy projects for over twenty-five years. These have been cosponsored by many organizations and public officials and have included dialogues on governance and environmental issues, research on collaborative decision-making, and an international workshop resulting in a book, The Power of Convening.

In recent years, most of our activities have had both California and international dimensions. Examples are projects described elsewhere on this Web site on climate change, urban outreach strategies, Groundwork, and state parks. 

Publications

CIPA has published over a hundred resource guides and research reports. See Publications for details. We are especially known for books that "map" organizations involved in public issues. These include The California Handbook (8th and final edition 1999), for many years a standard guide to information sources; and the World Directory of Environmental Organizations, the standard reference in its field, which is now freely available online.

CIPA has been a pioneer in promoting the concept of sustainability, defined as improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. An international workshop we organized in Argentina resulted in an influential book on the subject, A Sustainable World.

In California, we have carried out research, convened meetings, and advised governmental agencies on a variety of environmental topics, ranging from urban sprawl and hazardous materials to strategic resource planning and environmental impact assessment.

Most of our international activities have been conducted through IUCN – The World Conservation Union, the umbrella organization of the conservation movement, whose members are public agencies and nongovernmental organizations in some 140 countries. From 1990-96, CIPA President Ted Trzyna chaired one of IUCN’s six commissions, on environmental strategy. He is now IUCN Senior Adviser – Cities and Conservation, and leads a task force on cities and protected areas.

Current activities are described at www.InterEnvironment.org/projects/index.htm. 

Although most of our activities are international, we always look for opportunities to include a California dimension in them.