The National Workshop on Large Landscape Conservation

October 22 - 24, 2014

This session is designed to explore the meaning of “intactness” in large landscape conservation.   Presentations from Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) in northern latitudes, ocean and island systems and from the northern Rockies provide perspectives on how intactness and ecosystem resiliency are viewed in these different geographies.  These regions share an important characteristic in that they have large areas with limited human development, but that does not mean that they are necessarily undisturbed, and all are experiencing rapid change.  The Alaska Climate Science Center will provide context for thinking about climate change effects at the ecosystem level and how these changes may alter resiliency.  Lessons learned, and tools for implementation are provided by speakers from the Yellowstone to Yukon Program, the Alaska Natural Heritage Program and its work on Rapid Ecoregional Assessments, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Conservation Science Partners.  We close with a manager’s perspective and a panel discussion/dialog with the audience to define “ecosystem intactness” and, perhaps, identify other criteria and terms that may be useful for practitioners seeking facilitate adaptation and promote resiliency. Depending on the dialog during the panel and audience discussion, a paper/manuscript will be produced.