The Society for Conservation Biology’s Impact Evaluation Working Group is hosting a symposium at the 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology, taking place 6–10 July 2026 in Leiden, Netherlands.

Symposium: Evidence and Attribution in the Age of Novel Data, Methods, and Technologies
Tuesday, 7th July 2026 | 16:30–18:00 | Room BM.1.26

Effective conservation requires rigorous evidence about what works, what doesn’t, for whom, and why. Advances in data, methods, and technology from eDNA and remote sensing to AI-driven causal inference are expanding the possibilities for impact evaluation, enabling more credible and timely assessments of conservation interventions. Yet as the field grows, persistent challenges around attribution, counterfactual thinking, and transparency remain, alongside emerging concerns about equitable access to tools, over-reliance on automation, and the meaningful integration of local and Indigenous knowledge. Addressing these issues through clearer reporting, shared standards, and inclusive approaches will be essential to building the evidence base that effective conservation policy and practice demands. We are pleased to welcome the following speakers:

Tanya O’Garra — Can causal discovery methods “discover” valid theories of change for conservation projects?
Saija Papunen — Taking full advantage of recent Earth observation advances to assess protected area effectiveness
Alejandro Guizar-coutiño — Deep learning biodiversity products in conservation impact evaluation: assessing habitat condition changes in The Netherlands
Joséphine Gantois — The Efficacy of Conservation Expenditures: Evidence from Local Ballot Measures
Jakob Poffley — Conservation impact evaluation at the national scale: Detecting policy signals in tropical deforestation trajectories
Alex Caruana — The state of reproducibility within Conservation Science impact evaluations

The symposium will be followed by a SCB-IEWG Social Event on 7th July, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting. Further details will be announced soon, so keep an eye on this website and our social media channels!

Learn more about the congress here, or register to attend here.