The Center for Biodiversity Outcomes is exploring how mindfulness and related practices can inform conservation science, as well as support conservation scientists by strengthening resilience, emotional well-being, and creative problem-solving. Mindfulness is framed not only as a personal tool but also as a strategic asset for conservation science practitioners that improves decision-making, emotional processing, collaboration, and long-term effectiveness in conservation contexts.
Last year, director Leah Gerber participated in discussions around the importance of mindfulness for conservation resilience at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, and as part of the GFL initiative Golden Conversations. These discussions, combined with her own personal wellness journey and experience on a retreat, led to the development of the pilot Resilience in Conservation program, translating ideas and research into an immersive, in-person and evidence-based experience that combined mindfulness practices, reflective exercises, peer support, and evaluation of personal and community outcomes. The goal was to design a retreat integrating evidence-based practices, such as mindfulness, yoga, reflexivity, journaling, and meditation, and, via a pre- and post- survey, assess whether such practices impacted eco-grief, eco-anxiety, burnout, and resilience in participants.
This February, our four-day pilot retreat brought together an incredible group of ten conservation professionals in Sedona, Arizona to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the purpose that drives their work. The retreat was led by Leah Gerber; postdoc Olivia Davis; leadership coach, mindfulness expert, and yoga teacher Margo Boster; and yoga teacher and seasoned retreat facilitator Lila Caridade. After the retreat, participants shared how building a supportive community and integrating these practices into their life has helped them navigate difficult moments with more resilience.
