Margaux joins Francis and Tom in being selected to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). The WCPA, a leading global network of conservation professionals, works to develop and provide scientific and technical advice and policy that promotes a representative, effectively managed, and equitably governed global system of marine and terrestrial protected areas. This includes areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services such as coral reefs – vital for the health of the planet and the well-being of communities.
“The WCPA represents a dynamic platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange andI am honoured to contribute to strategies that protect biodiversity while empowering the communities that depend on it. As an Early Career Ocean Professional, I’m excited to bring my experience and learn from an interdisciplinary team of experts – further contributing to Blue Pangolin Consulting’s vision and mission.”
With expertise in field-based conservation and international policy, Margaux has worked to protect coral reef ecosystems, enhance marine spatial planning, and promote equitable governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Her contributions to initiatives like the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) have positioned her to support the WCPA’s mission of addressing biodiversity challenges through resilience-based conservation approaches.
As the world strives to achieve the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, bridging the gap between science and policy is more important than ever. Currently, 8.6% of the world’s Ocean is reported under some form of protection and conservation, yet only 2.7% is considered highly or fully-protected, highlighting the progress made, yet underscoring the major work still needed to effectively protect and manage 30% of the Ocean by 2030. Through the WCPA, Margaux is committed to elevating coral reef conservation and driving scalable, evidence-based solutions that safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services.
