Rodrigo A. Medellin: How to do conservation science, implement it, and not die trying (IC Webinar)

Intro:
Implementation of conservation science into policy is still a major disconnect that hinders the positive impact of MEAs. I will convey a few examples of research projects that have become official federal government programs with nation-wide implications. Mexico is the fifth country with the greatest biodiversity in the world. Challenges are thick and plentiful. The job of conservation professionals must seek to bridge the gap between academia and policy-makers, actively liaising with the governmental, civil society and private sectors to be truly effective.
Recently, Mexico became the first range-state of jaguars to develop a clear estimate of how many of them inhabit the country. Furthermore, the “National Jaguar Conservation Strategy” is fully in place and being implemented today, and is increasingly being replicated and adopted in other range states in Latin America.
I will also speak about bighorn sheep, the Mexican population of which is listed under Appendix-II, and how its sustainable harvest has now become the heart and soul of a strong conservation and development program for the Seri indigenous group. This case serves as inspiration for initiatives that seek to prove that Appendix II can improve the livelihoods of local communities and serve as a driver for profitable sustainable trade and successful conservation.
Bats represent about one-fourth of Mexico’s mammals and they include critically endangered and endangered species. The lesser long-nosed bat has been a focal species for my research and after 30 years of work it was recently delisted from Mexico’s Endangered Species List, as a result of the implementation of out-of-the-box mainstreaming conservation policies. The recovery implied lots of research, education, and specific conservation actions; and has now allowed tequila lovers to rejoice with a bat-friendly drink.
Speaker's information:
Dr. Rodrigo Medellín is Senior Professor at the Institute of Ecology, UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), and he focuses on conservation of mammals with emphasis on applied and policy-driven science. His work has led to creating new protected areas and recovering endangered species among others. He is an established leader in the field of conservation, and was President of the Society for Conservation Biology (2013-2015) and CoChair of the CITES Animals Committee (2002-2012). Rodrigo has projects or students in 16 countries of four continents. He has been advisor to Mexico´s federal government on wildlife issues since 2000 and is Co-Chair of the IUCN Bat Specialist Group, Scientific Councilor of the Convention on Migratory Species, Founding Director of the Latin American Network for Bat Conservation, and creator of Global South Bats, a network of bat scientists in Africa, Asia, and Latin America He has produced over 60 theses and 300 publications. His work has been featured in various documentaries from the BBC, National Geographic and other production houses. He is a Rolex Award Laureate, 2012 Whitley Gold Award winner, and the seventh Explorer-At-Large of the National Geographic Society.