One of the greatest societal challenges is the loss of biological diversity and the degradation of nature’s benefits due to human activities at local to global scales. Biodiversity loss and degradation is a moral issue in its own right, made more intense by the fact that the impacts on human communities are unequally distributed. Thus, a major theme within this course is one of environmental justice, and how biodiversity conservation and social justice efforts can and need to combine.

A major focus of the class will be on how policy instruments are developed and employed in conservation, but we will also focus on other approaches to conservation, particularly as they influence conservation practice through shifting policy or its implementation.

Another major focus will be on communication, engagement and enhancing participation in conservation and environmental decision-making.