12/10/2025
11:00 - 11:45
Human-Centred Conservation Pavilion
, Morning
Session with interpretation
Why attend
Discover how sustainable wildlife use drives both conservation and economic value. From North America’s wild harvest economy to the wild sheep conservation permit model, this session shows how responsible harvesting funds restoration, supports livelihoods, and provides scalable solutions that strengthen biodiversity, finance conservation, and inspire innovative approaches worldwide.
Session Description
Wildlife economies are often overlooked in mainstream debates, yet they represent some of the most effective and innovative conservation models in the world. This session highlights two perspectives on how valuing wildlife through sustainable use drives both ecological and economic outcomes. Shane Mahoney will reveal the often invisible but vast contributions of hunting, fishing, and wild harvests to North American society—supporting rural livelihoods, strengthening local economies, and providing irreplaceable nutrition to millions of households. Drawing on data from the Wild Harvest Initiative® and UNEP, he shows how recognizing this hidden economy can transform policy and conservation practice. Gray Thornton will then spotlight the “wild sheep economy,” where innovative funding mechanisms—such as Conservation Permits—have become the backbone of wild sheep restoration across North America and beyond. Together, these talks demonstrate how human-centred conservation links sustainable use, community wellbeing, and financial sustainability to secure thriving wildlife populations for future generations.Organised by
Jamma International ( United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland )
Partners
Wild Sheep Foundation ( United States of America )
Speaker
