– SUMMIT PURPOSE
From Planning to Action
The 2024 Summit marked a pivot point for the coalition, moving from identity formation and planning toward capacity building and action. After several years spent establishing a shared foundation, the coalition gathered to chart a path for turning that foundation into concrete results on the ground.
Executive Director Leo Miranda-Castro presented a proposal for the coalition's future path, including plans to build capacity, expand services, and launch a sustainable strategy for growing voluntary collaboration across America's working lands. Attendees worked together to assess the coalition's long-term value and helped shape its strategic priorities going forward.
The 2024 Summit brought together representatives from private and public organizations around a common goal: advancing collaborative conservation and building a culture of enduring trust and partnership nationwide. Sessions covered a roadmap for the future, collaborative conservation in action, the power of private lands partnerships, innovative approaches and incentives, a vision for the future, and strategies for moving forward.
Four themes emerged as central to advancing conservation goals: building trust, embracing cultural change, leveraging market mechanisms, and using the right tools for the job. As speakers and attendees emphasized throughout the summit, conservation without conflict depends on a collective effort, one that respects diverse perspectives and works toward common ground.
– BY THE NUMBERS
The 2024 Summit at a Glance
Over three days in Arlington, the coalition brought together sponsors, attendees, and speakers from across the country for a summit built around shared purpose. Here is a snapshot of who took part and what was covered.
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16 States Represented
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13 Sponsors Supporting the Summit
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43 Attendees Representing Organizations Nationwide
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3 Keynote Presentations
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3 Panel Discussions
Attendees traveled from more than a dozen states and dozens of organizations, spanning federal and state agencies, private landowners, universities, and conservation nonprofits. That geographic reach reflected the coalition's core premise: lasting conservation depends on voices from every corner of America's working lands.
The complete 2024 Summit Report captures three days of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions from Arlington, Virginia. Inside, you will find speaker summaries, attendee Q&A, and a full set of strategic recommendations for advancing the coalition's mission in the short, mid, and long term.
