Why Global Conservation Matters
Women’s Statement on Global Conservation
Conserving Natural Resources Around the Globe
What’s at Stake for Women
Many women in the developing world are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation such as deforestation, loss of watersheds, water pollution, and habitat and ecosystem destruction.
Because women are typically responsible for gathering increasingly scarce natural resources—such as fuelwood and water—the loss of these resources means many women have less time to attend school, earn supplemental income, and participate in the community or the political process.
Natural resource loss threatens women’s livelihoods, health, nutrition, and safety. Many women cannot own land and must rely on natural areas for food security and income. They also do most of the agricultural work on increasingly degraded croplands.
Research shows that natural resources are better protected when women participate in or lead efforts to conserve them.
The United States should take a leadership role in working with other countries to address accelerating environmental degradation around the world as well as to intensify support for women-led conservation efforts.
Habiba Sarabi
Governor
Bamyan Province
Afghanistan
Lucy Aquino
Paraguay Director
World Wildlife Fund
Paraguay
Suzan Baptiste
Founder
Nature Seekers
Trinidad
Sangduen ‘Lek’ Chailert
Founder
Elephant Nature Park
Thailand
Mary Mavanza
Manager, TACARE Program
Jane Goodall Institute
Tanzania
Wendy Abrams
Founder
Cool Globes
Jamie Bechtel
Co-founder & CEO
New Course
Elizabeth Becker
Author & Journalist
Oxfam America Board Member
Laura Burton Capps
Blue Engine Message and Media
Story Clark
Principal
Conservation Consulting
Laurel Colless
Head of Research Development, Sustainable Technologies
Virginia Tech
Sister Janet Corcoran
Vice President, Mission Services
Marian Medical Center
Jan Cousteau
Board of Directors
EarthEcho International
Lucinda Crabtree
President
Crabtree + Company
Paula Hannaway Crown
Principal
Henry Crown and Company
Rosario Dawson
Actor
Linda Delgado
Director of Government Affairs
Oxfam America
Ann Howland Doerr
Board Member
Environmental Defense Fund
Suzanne Ehlers
President & CEO
Population Action International
Ann Friedman
Educator
Board Member, Conservation International
Jane Greenspun Gale
The Greenspun Corporation
Chairman’s Council, Conservation International
Helen L. Grieco
Founder & President
SHE Academy
Mary L. Good, PhD
Dean, Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Ann-Eve Hazen
Small Business Owner
Kate Janeway
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Washington Women’s Foundation
Kathy Kemper
Founder & CEO
Institute for Education
Mary Jo Kilroy
Former Congresswoman (D-OH)
United States House of Representatives
Abbe Land
City Councilmember, West Hollywood
Co-CEO, The Saban Free Clinic
Elizabeth Lizan
Co-founder
Lizan Tops Art Advisory
Judy Hill Lovins
Photographer
Artist
Katherine Lucey
Founder & CEO
Solar Sister, Inc.
Marisa Luzzatto
Director of Special Projects
The ONE Campaign
Dale Mathias
Board Member
Refugees International
Nancy Merrill
Washingtonian
Bobbie Greene McCarthy
Director, Save America’s Treasures
Vice Chair, Vital Voices
Lisa Merton
Filmmaker
Marlboro Productions
Heidi Miller
President, International
JPMorgan
Kris Moore
Trustee, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Board Member, Conservation International
Sy Montgomery
Author & radio commentator
Connie Morella
Former Congresswoman (R-MD)
United States House of Representatives
Diane L. Morrison
Chairman
Morris Capital Management
Anne Mosle
Executive Director
Aspen Institute, Center for Family Economic Security
Karen Mulhauser
President
United Nations Association of the National Capitol Area
Alyse Nelson
President & CEO
Vital Voices Global Partnership
Ann Nichols
Former VP, Conservation International
Conservation International Women’s Forum
Lisa Oz
Producer and Co-host
Dr. Oz Show
Peggy Parfenoff
Executive Director
WorldChicago
Carol Peasley
President & CEO
Centre for Development and Population Activities
Maureen Peckman
Chief Emerging Business Officer
Cleveland Clinic Nevada – Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Kitty Piercy
Mayor
City of Eugene, OR
Jen Pleasants
Publisher
Tiffany McCormick Potter
President
Streamline, LLC
Losang Rabgey
Founder & Executive Director
Machik
Kim Randle
Board Member
U.S. National Committee of United Nations Women
Nancy Morgan Ritter
Chairman’s Council
Conservation International
Maria Semple
Writer
Isa Catto Shaw
Artist
Adele S. Simmons
President
Global Philanthropy Partnership
Robin Sinclaire
Artist
Susan Sauer Sloan
Director
The National Academies, Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable
Wendy Schmidt
Founder, The 11th Hour Project
President, The Schmidt Family Foundation
Sara J. Scherr
President
EcoAgriculture Partners
Susan Silver Schonfeld
President
Silver Systems
Bryony Schwan
Executive Director
Biomimicry Institute
Ritu Sharma
Co-Founder & President
Women Thrive Worldwide
Elizabeth Stevens
Chair
Sasha Bruce Youthwork
Frances Strickland
Former First Lady of Ohio
Alice Waters
Chef
Chez Panisse
Margaret Whillock
Former Deputy Director, White House Visitors Office
Sister Susan Vickers
Vice President, Community Health
Catholic Healthcare West
Elizabeth Rieger Wiatt
Entrepreneur
Trustee, NRDC
Carol Williams
State Senator (D-Missoula, MT)
June Zeitlin
Director
CEDAW Education Project
