Places
Although it has members in many countries, the Urban Specialist Group has focused in particular on Australia (Melbourne, Sydney); Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo); France (Marseille, Paris); Hong Kong; India (Mumbai); cities of Israel; Kenya (Nairobi); South Africa (Cape Town); Taiwan, province of China (Taipei); the United Kingdom (London); and the United States (Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco).
Getting involved in the Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group
MEANS OF INVOLVEMENT
Membership in the Specialist Group is by invitation. Anyone may ask to be included, but preference is given to those directly involved in connecting conservation of nature with urban people, urban places, and urban institutions, either as practitioners or researchers.
Although expertise and willingness to contribute are most important, we strive for gender balance and wish to include younger professionals and people from all world regions. At any given time, the Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group has had about 100 members from some 30 countries.
Members of the specialist group must contribute in some way: by participating in a working or advisory group; by providing information; or by organizing events. Member involvement is assessed at the end of each year.
World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
Members of the Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group should be members of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) To apply for membership in WCPA, you need to fill in the online application on the following link:
WCPA Membership Application
More information on WCPA and its activities is available on the website at this address https://www.iucn.org/theme/protected-areas/wcpa
Although those interested in participating in the Specialist Group are encouraged to join WCPA, an "associate" status is also provided for.
HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE AND BENEFIT FROM INVOLVEMENT
A word about funding. IUCN's Commissions are volunteer networks. Their members' time and expenses are covered by their employers, or by grants members secure on their own. In many cases, Commission members donate their time and pay for their own expenses. Occasionally IUCN or other organizations cover travel expenses to meetings at which specialist group members are asked to participate.
Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group
World Commission on Protected Areas
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
PAGE 3 of this section