Magdalena CYGAN

Avoiding a sixth mass extinction is not enough – wildlife conservation must strive to restore thriving ecosystems and taxa. At IUCN, I am helping to spur this paradigm shift by coordinating a global network of experts to draft and publish Green Status of Species (GSS) assessments. These assessments measure species recovery and conservation impact, guiding evidence-based policy and practice. Beyond publishing assessments, I train experts in the GSS method, deliver workshops and webinars, present at conferences, and inspire future conservationists through university talks.

My career began with hands-on roles in rangering and ecological survey work, later evolving into research on African Savannah Elephant movement and Madagascar Plover breeding dispersal. A standout experience was working on the Andavadoaka Plover Project, where I contributed to a long-term dataset on plover nesting success and behaviour. These early experiences honed my skills in statistical analysis, GIS, field ecology, and scientific writing.

My academic achievements include a lead authorship on Cygan et al. 2024 (DOI: 10.1111/aje.13306) and co-authorship on Urgamal et al. 2024 (DOI: 10.3390/plants13182635). I hold first-class degrees in BSc Biology (University of Bath) and MSc Biodiversity and Conservation (University of Leeds).

Looking ahead, I aim to expand the reach and impact of GSS assessments by scaling up output and improving outreach. My mission is to bridge the gap between science and actionable conservation, enabling ecosystems and species to not just survive but recover and thrive – turning conservation success stories into a global standard.