Aaron Laur

International Connectivity Program Manager

Aaron leads the Center’s engagement around the world advancing science, policy, practice, and collaboration for ecological connectivity conservation. This includes the Center’s activities as an NGO Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Observer to international agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). He also operates the Secretariat, and serves as Co-Chair, of the Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG) under the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. Since 2026, he represents the Center and CCSG on the Steering Committee of the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC).

Aaron previously served as CCSG Executive Officer from 2018-2025 supporting coordination of the IUCN ‘Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors’ and WCPA Technical Report ‘Addressing ecological connectivity in the development of roads, railways, and canals’. Additionally, he contributed to establishing CCSG’s working groups, the Wildlife Connect Initiative, and GPEC.

Aaron brings over two decades of international conservation experience to the Center that has included positions as Executive Officer for the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, Chief Administrative Officer of the International Council of Environmental Law, Executive Assistant at the Elizabeth Haub Foundations for Environmental Law and Policy, and Program Research Coordinator for the IUCN Environmental Law Programme.

Education

• M.S. in International Relations and Diplomacy, Leiden University
• B.A. in Environment and Natural Resources Management, University of Wyoming
• B.A. in German Modern Language, University of Wyoming