Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

  • The Coalition for Conservation Genetics (CCG) was formed in June 2020 with a single goal: to help increase coordination among existing conservation genetics networks, so we can make the best use of our scarce resources, increase collaboration, reduce adverse conflict, facilitate synthesis and grand projects, amplify our impact, and avoid duplication of effort.     

    The three most important things you might want to know about the CCG are:

    • The CCG focuses on communication, coordination, amplification of impact, and supporting shared work among major conservation genetic networks, with the end goal to build a bridge between science and policy.

    • The CCG is coordinated by the member Network leaders. To contribute to the CCG mission, please join and be active in one of our member networks.

    • We are sustainably growing the CCG by adding critical networks over time (see below).

    Learn more about the history of the CCG and our vision/mission statements by following the links.

  • The heart of the CCG is an Executive Committee, which is primarily composed of representatives of the major networks that compose the CCG.  Each network has at least one person on the Executive Committee, someone in a leadership or responsible role (e.g. network Chair, President etc.), who is enabled to represent that network. The Executive Committee also includes a small number of representatives from major environmental NGOs or government agencies, because most existing networks are overly academic, and we want to help ensure the CCG understands the needs of conservation practitioners and is connected to important and influential partners.  

    The Executive Committee meets monthly to share network updates, plan and enhance the CCG structure and workflows, envision collaborative projects, and prepare policy outputs including policy briefs, webinars, and attendance at policy meetings. Leading the Executive Committee and taking on specific responsibilities are the CCG Officers:

    • Chair

    • Deputy Chair

    • Secretaries (2)

    • Internal Communications Coordinator

    • External Communications Coordinator

    The CCG has also worked ad hoc with other organizations, particularly for CBD and IUCN events (zoos and botanical gardens, NGOs, IUCN Specialist Groups, governments, research institutes, etc.) and on dissemination of outputs, but these partners have not generally been given a named role in the CCG.

  • The member networks of the CCG each have their own mission, members, and work plans. To be a part of the CCG, they all have core goals or objectives that match very closely with the CCG mission.

    Networks have committed to:

    • Communicating in an open, transparent and friendly manner with other networks within the CCG, fostering cooperation and collaboration rather than competition

    • Helping disseminate outputs of the CCG

    • Explaining to their network members what the CCG is, including its mission, priorities and activities 

    • Summarizing the topics and outcome of CCG meetings to their network members.  

    • Bringing issues, questions, suggestions, resources, and activities from their network to the CCG for discussion

    • When possible, offering resources (people time, money, skills, connections) for joint CCG activities such as conference exhibit booths, webinars, dissemination materials etc.

  • The CCG was founded by GBIKE, the IUCN CGSG, the GEO BON GCWG and the SCB CGSG. You can learn more about our history here.

    Since then, we’ve welcomed additional member networks. See the full list and read about each one here.

    We are considering when and how to add more networks (represented on the Executive Committee by one person each) in a slow and deliberate way. We want the CCG to grow, but to also be sustainable, so at the moment we are considering adding networks that:

    • Contribute to a core CCG activity, e.g. implementing genetic indicators for reporting to the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

    • That fill a major geographical (or other) gap in our membership.

  • In its current form, the CCG is primarily composed of the leaders of the major international conservation genetics networks and network/policy focused projects. The goal of the CCG is to facilitate communication among these networks and projects and to share resources among them when needed and possible. We added a few individuals who represent major environmental NGOs or governments, and to better represent global diversity. 

    That means that there is no process for joining the CCG as an individual ‘member.’ Over time, the CCG may change and grow, but right now we are focused on the networks. The best way that individuals can contribute to the CCG’s mission is to join one of the participating networks. Head to their websites to determine which aligns best with your goals and skills. There are plenty of opportunities to contribute in this way. 

  • Are you a leader in a network focused on conservation genetics, with activities that operate across multiple countries, such as:

    • Training

    • Research

    • Advocacy

    • Innovation

    Are your network’s core goals and objectives aligned with the CCG mission?  Is your network passionate about conserving genetic diversity and using knowledge of population and conservation genetics to conserve biodiversity broadly?

    If so, then we would like to hear from you, as we consider how to grow and further develop the CCG.  Head to the Contact page and let us know about the history, mission and activities of your network, and we will keep in touch (English preferred but we have persons fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and we can also use translation software if you are not comfortable in English).

  • We are considering ways to keep other people involved, such as contributing to policy briefs, other dissemination, or preparing for major events like CBD or IPBES meetings. Should opportunities arise where individuals could contribute to specific tasks (e.g.,  policy briefs, preparing for major events, etc), then a communication will be circulated within our partner networks to enlist volunteers.

  • We would love to hear from you! Head to the Contact page and let us know.

  • Some definitions of these terms can be found here and here.

  • In addition to facilitating more open communication among networks in conservation genetics, and in addition to helping establish the Genetic Essential Biodiversity Variables and the genetic indicators, the CCG has attended and hosted information booths and numerous events at both COP15 and COP16, facilitated more than a dozen webinars and other outreach to CBD National Focal Points and key contacts in CBD leadership, worked with GEO BON and IUCN on their input to the CBD, submitted comments in reply to CBD open requests, composed the metadata document for CBD/ UNEP, submitted comments on several IPBES and IUCN documents, and other outreach.

    Read more about policy engagement highlights here.