Conference registration
Please register for the conference using the form here.
Agenda (day by day)
Sunday, February 22
Casual welcome social (at own cost) | Cypress & Grove Brewery | 5 - 8 pm
Monday, February 23
Discussion forums | Smathers Room 100 | 1 - 5:30 pm
Insights from the Science Panel for the Amazon
Marielos Peña-Claros (Wageningen University, Netherlands); Marianne Schmink (University of Florida); Simone Athayde (World Resources Institute; Silvia Futada (University of Florida)
40 years of conservation science & practice
Claudio Valladares Padua & Suzana Padua (Institute for Ecological Research [IPÊ])
Conservation in context of rising crime & Illegal activities
Johanna Espín (University of Florida), Liliana Davalos (Stony Brook University), Hernan Alvarez (University of Florida),
Conservation funding
Maria DiGiano (Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation), Jean-Gaël Collomb (Wildlife Conservation Network)
Opening reception | Earl and Christy Powell University House | 7 - 9 pm
Tuesday, February 24
Power of Connections project | Smathers Room 100 | 8:30 am - 12 pm
Keynote talks
Socio-ecological tipping points in Amazonia
Ane Alencar
Director of Science, Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) (Brazil)
2026 Bacardi Family Eminent Scholar, University of Florida
An Indigenous perspective on Amazonian conservation
Tuntiak Katan
Co-Founder, Ikiam Flourish (Ecuador)
Solidarity and cooperation
Avecita Chicchón
Program Director, Andes-Amazon Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The future of conservation funding for positive impacts
Pascal Martinez
Senior Environmental Specialist (Forests and Wildlife Thematic Lead), Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Insights from workshops | Smathers Room 100 | 1:30 - 5 pm
Sociobioeconomies and conservation finance
Claudio Valladares Padua (Institute for Ecological Research (IPÊ)), Trent Blare (International Potato Center, Ecuador)
Collaborative management centered on Indigenous peoples and local communities
Galo Zapata-Ríos (Wildlife Conservation Society, Ecuador), João Campos (Instituto Juruá, Brazil)
Reshaping institutions for next generation conservation leaders
Marlene Soriano (Bolivian Institute for Forestry Research, Inclusive Socioeconomic Development Program), Maria Clara Van der Hammen (Humboldt Institute, Colombia)
Innovations in the research process
Myrian Barboza (Ministry of the Environment, Brazil), Marisol Toledo (Gabriel René Moreno Autonomous University, Bolivia)
Indigenous rights and governance instruments
Johanna Espín (University of Florida), Luisa Bacca (Panamazon Institute, Colombia)
Poster session | Smathers Room 100 | 5 - 7 pm
Wednesday, February 25
Closed sessions for The Power of Connections Amazon Summit, by invitation only
Thursday, February 26
Closed sessions for The Power of Connections Amazon Summit, by invitation only
Casual farewell social (at own cost) First Magnitude Brewery | 6 pm
Friday, February 27
Conservation training clinics | Holiday Inn University Center Ballroom | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Planning and managing teams in complex systems
Mauricio Nuñez Regueiro – The Nature Conservancy, Argentina
Women in conservation
Cristina Nuñez Godoy – Catholic University of Salta, Argentina
Farah Carrasco Rueda – Field Museum, Chicago
Community engagement protocols
Carolina Soto – Humboldt Institute, Colombia
Camila Bernal Mattos – Independent Consultant
Conservation storytelling for scientists and conservationists
Gabby Salazar – Independent Consultant, Nat Geo Explorer, University of Florida
Developing policy briefs
Renata Serra – University of Florida
Data management & archiving
Emilio Bruna – University of Florida
Polarization & difficult conversations
Jonathan Dain – University of Florida
Please note that these topics and descriptions are subject to change.