Wild9 convenes in Mérida,Nov. 6-13

From a news release on PR Web:

Boulder, CO (PRWEB) August 4, 2009 -- Organizers say planning is intense during the final 100 days leading up to the 9th World Wilderness Congress, WILD9 -- the high-profile global forum of debate, agenda-setting and action on wilderness-related environmental issues. Committees representing a diverse range of interests and perspectives are finalizing objectives and targets aimed at protecting wild nature - wilderness, wetlands, wildlife, and the oceans - and the benefits they provide to ensure a clean and healthy planet and human well-being.

Launched in 1977 by The WILD Foundation, the World Wilderness Congress (WWC) brings together senior-level participants from governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, native peoples, academia and the arts, and is unique in its longevity, conservation achievements, and encouragement of public participation in a week of learning, discussion, cultural programs and eco-tourism opportunities.

WILD9's array of notable speakers and session leaders include world renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall; Conservation International President Russ Mittermeier; Mexico's Environment Minister Juan Elvira; NOAA Chief Science Advisor Steve Murawski; Dr José Saruhkán, head researcher of the Ecology Institute of Universidad Autonoma Nacional de México and national coordinator of CONABIO (National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity of Mexico); Father Theodore Hesburgh, University of Notre Dame president emeritus; Pavan Sukhdev, head of Deutsche Bank's Global Market Business; nature photographers Frans Lanting, Art Wolfe and Michael "Nick" Nichols; Grupo Bimbo's CEO Daniel Servitje; senior leadership from National Geographic; leaders from 15 traditional native communities; and numerous other international politicians, scientists, business leaders and artists.