This Strategic Plan prioritizes the activities and operations of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) for 2025-2030. The Strategic Plan was formally adopted at the ATBC General Annual Meeting in Oaxaca, Mexico in July 2025.
To foster scientific understanding and conservation of tropical ecosystems by supporting research, collaboration, capacity building, and communication among tropical biologists and conservationists.
The ATBC fosters collaboration and information sharing across a broad community of tropical biology professionals. The society provides outlets for research dissemination, and educational and funding opportunities, particularly for early career scientists working across the tropics. As a diverse community of science professionals, the ATBC provides a credible, collective, and authoritative vision of tropical biology and conservation issues that underpin public policy and management action.
The ATBC believes that biological science is essential for an understanding of tropical environments that serves conservation and sustainable development.
1. Natural systems and the biodiversity they contain have both intrinsic and utilitarian values;
2. Evidence-based science is critical for understanding how tropical ecosystems function, and how humans affect them;
3. Sustainable development depends on effective stewardship of ecosystems and their component species;
4. Biological sciences and related disciplines are essential foundations for effective decision making, and must inform environmental policy in the tropics;
5. Communicating tropical biological science to the global public is vital for enhancing the understanding of environmental and conservation values.
The ATBC promotes inclusiveness and collaboration, in order to create a sense of collegiality that is built on five principles:
1. Supportive: A society that fosters mutual support, mentoring and guidance across its membership;
2. Inclusive: A diverse membership, inclusive of age groups, genders, cultures, professional positions, and geographical locations, benefits and advances the society;
3. Participatory: A membership that is informed and engaged in the activities of the society;
4. Transparent: An open society in which decision-making processes are clear and participatory;
5. Multidisciplinary: A society that encompasses scientific breadth across all relevant disciplines.
In responding to our mission and purpose, and taking account of our values and principles, five core issues form the strategic foci:
1. Increase education opportunities and networking in tropical biology, conservation and related interdisciplinary approaches;
2. Recognize exceptional achievements and support science capacity in tropical biology and conservation worldwide;
3. Provide inclusive settings for a diverse international community of scientists, conservationists, and stakeholders;
4. Communicate world-leading tropical biological science across the global community;
5. Foster the application of science in conservation, policy, and management action.
