Convention on Migratory Species CoP-15

Connecting Nature to Sustain Life

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) will participate in the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS/CoP-15) in Campo Grande, Brazil, from 23-29 March 2026. Katie Deuel, Aaron Laur, and Fernanda Teixeira will represent CLLC throughout negotiations and related events of this international treaty promoting the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals, their habitats, and migration routes.

Campo Grande is known as a gateway to the Pantanal—the world’s largest tropical wetland covering an area up to 210,000 km2 (or 81,000 square miles)—that stretches across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It is crucial habitat for more than 1,000 bird, 300 mammal, 500 reptile, 400 fish, and thousands of invertebrate species.

This is the first time that Brazil is hosting a CMS/CoP, which will convene under the slogan “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life.” The slogan highlights the vital role that ecological connectivity plays in conserving ecosystems that support migratory species crossing national boundaries around the world.

Throughout the week, representatives will engage in negotiations and related events that will include:

Addressing pre-session documents and national reports;

Crafting political commitments;

Reviewing and approving proposals for additional species to be added to the convention’s appendices listing endangered and threatened migratory species; and

Considering targeted actions to address pressing needs and threats of certain species.

As an Official NGO Observer to the convention, CLLC will continue building on its contributions since CMS/CoP-14, including:

Supporting implementation of the Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2024-2032 especially “Goal 2. The habitats and ranges of migratory species are maintained and restored, supporting their connectivity”;

Providing technical expertise and engaging in negotiations on agenda items focused on Ecological Connectivity, Infrastructure, and Transfrontier Conservation Areas; and

Contributing to promotion and joint activities as a Steering Committee Member of the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC).

Featured Event

Official side event: Nature Positive Infrastructure – Avoiding and mitigating impacts of linear infrastructure on migratory species and ecological connectivity

Date: 24 March 2026
Time: 18:15-19:00
Location: Room #4

Please join us for this event, led by the Center for Large Landscape Conservation and co-organized with multiple partners.

Linear infrastructure—including roads, railways, canals, powerlines, pipelines, and fences—represents one of the biggest threats to migratory species and ecological connectivity as a key driver of direct and indirect negative impacts on wildlife and habitats. This event will highlight new and expanded initiatives around the world building capacity and mobilizing resources to mainstream nature positive infrastructure. Participants will learn about innovative approaches in science, policy, financing, collaboration, and project implementation to support countries and stakeholders across sectors to fulfill their conservation commitments by avoiding and mitigating impacts of linear infrastructure.

Download Flyer

Other Events

CLLC is also co-organizing the following official side events to highlight the efforts of countries and partners around the world to meet the aims of the convention: