Join the SSWG at NACCR 2026: Working Group Meeting & Social Science Sessions

[SSWG Board of Directors]

Dear colleagues,

 

The Social Science Working Group (SSWG) is looking forward to an exciting programme of conservation social science at the North American Congress for Conservation & Restoration (NACCR) 2026. Whether you're a long-standing member of the conservation social science community or simply interested in the human dimensions of conservation, we hope you'll join us throughout the conference.

We wanted to flag a few key meetings and symposiums that may be of interest:

📢 Social Science Working Group Members Meeting

📅 Thursday, July 16
🕘 9:00–10:15 AM
📍 N204-C, Baird Center (North)

We warmly invite all current and prospective members to attend the SSWG Members Meeting.

This is a great opportunity to hear about the Working Group's recent achievements, learn about our strategic vision for the next three to five years, and discover how you can get involved in shaping the future of conservation social science. We'll also discuss upcoming activities, collaborative initiatives, and opportunities to volunteer within the Working Group.

Whether you're a long-time member, an early-career researcher, practitioner, or simply curious about conservation social science, we'd love to welcome you. The meeting is an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and help shape the future direction of the SSWG.

 

🧠 Tuesday, July 14: Conservation Social Science Sessions

Leveraging Social and Behavioral Sciences for Conservation and Restoration

🕥 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
📍 N208-C, Baird Center (North)

This contributed session showcases how social and behavioural sciences are advancing conservation and restoration around the world. Presentations explore topics including behaviour change in conservation planning, Indigenous farmers' motivations for conservation in Mexico, public awareness of illegal wildlife trade, ethnobotany in Nepal, landowner motivations for habitat conservation, and how cultural framing influences public support for tree conservation.

Together, these talks highlight the growing contribution of behavioural science, conservation psychology, environmental communication, and human dimensions research to improving conservation outcomes.

 

Supporting Bird Conservation with Social Science on Private Lands

🕐 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 N206-A, Baird Center (North)

This symposium brings together social scientists from universities and conservation organisations to explore how research can support bird conservation across private lands, including forests, farms, ranches, and residential landscapes.

Presentations examine landowner motivations, barriers to conservation participation, public perceptions of bird-friendly programmes, participatory science, and the social and cultural factors that influence conservation behaviour. Speakers represent a range of career stages and institutions, including Georgetown University, Virginia Tech, Point Blue Conservation Science, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, National Audubon Society, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

The symposium concludes with a panel discussion on the future of conservation social science in private land conservation.

 

We hope you'll be able to join us for these events and help celebrate the breadth and impact of conservation social science at NACCR 2026. These sessions and our members meeting provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from colleagues, build new collaborations, and strengthen our growing community.

If you are speaking at NACCR, and would like us to share your social science content, drop us an email sswgcommu...@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing many of you in Milwaukee!

Best wishes,

The Social Science Working Group