InterEnvironment Institute serves as the secretariat of this IUCN Specialist Group
Focal cities
Although it has members in many countries, the IUCN WCPA Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group has focused in particular on metropolitan areas in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney); Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, São 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).
[Right: Cape Town, South Africa, with Table Mountain National Park above the central business district known as the City Bowl]
Global Beacons of Hope
Global Beacons of Hope are places carefully chosen to symbolize the imagination, exploration, and moral behavior needed to move the world toward greater justice and sustainability. We believe putting a spotlight on them will help change minds and inspire action. For details, go to Global Beacons of Hope.
This independent project grew out of the IUCN WCPA Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group; IUCN endorsement is pending.
The spirit of a place as a conservation tool
THE SPIRIT OF A PLACE AS A PRACTICAL TOOL FOR PRESERVING NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE AND SHAPING THE FUTURE
By Ted Trzyna
If people understand the place where they live, they are more likely to want to protect its identity, heritage, and quality of life. One effective way of promoting such understanding is to depict the spirit of a place by drawing on the positive values represented in its history and environment. ... More ...
At left: Claremont, California (mentioned in the essay), with the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in the background; the town extends into the foothills and borders the National Monument.