ICCB 2013 Program - Society for Conservation Biology

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Symposium: Culture and Conservation: Conserving Sacred Sites and Species in the
Anthropocene
Room 309
Thursday, July 25, 08:00 to 10:00
Organizer(s):
Emma Shepheard-Walwyn, University of Kent; Shonil Bhagwat, University of Oxford; Alison Ormsby, Eckerd College
This symposium highlights conservation of sacred sites and species in a rapidly changing world. It will provide an insight into
the importance of these sites and species to global biodiversity conservation on a human-dominated planet. It brings together
findings of research focused on biological and social aspects, as well as interdisciplinary research examining sacred sites and
species.
The sanctity of some sites and species has helped to protect them over time, across the world, and this value has therefore played a
vital role in the conservation of the associated biodiversity. However, these sites and species are facing challenges with the rapidly
changing social contexts in many countries. Understanding these social-ecological systems can help inform why traditional
conservation of such sites has been successful in the past, and the role that they may play in the conservation of natural sites and
species in the future.
Talks in the symposium will cover a range of scales, look at the different stakeholders involved within sacred site and species
conservation and investigate a range of perspectives in this field. The symposium will feature work on challenges associated
with conserving such sites and species and how consideration of local culture, attitudes and values can be used to enhance the
efficiency of biodiversity conservation around the world. It will attract not only ecologists and conservation biologists, but also
practitioners who work closely with communities.
Please note 20 minute talk lengths in this symposium.
08:00 Introduction
08:05 Mapping the sacred: a global map of sacred natural sites
Shonil Bhagwat, The Open University
08:25 Conservation and Conflict: Sacred Groves of Sierra Leone
Alison Ormsby, Eckerd College
08:45 Social and cultural issues surrounding sacred forests
Celia Nyamweru, St Lawrence University
09:05 Sacred Site Conservation: Changes in Culutre, Changes in Management
Emma Shepheard-Walwyn, University of Kent
09:25 The contested link between Western Christianity and conservation: ecological and cultural values of shrines and
pilgrimage sites in Central Italy
Fabrizio Frascaroli, University of Zurich
Open discussion period follows from 9:45 to 10:00
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