By bringing together emerging conservationists from diverse fields, including ecology, environmental science, anthropology, sociology, law, religious studies, education, public communication, and beyond, Conservation Edgewalkers advances our understanding of the dynamic interactions between nature and society and explores grand and contextual strategies for addressing complex socio-ecological challenges.
From 2017 to 2025, we have
Trained 64 interdisciplinary conservationists
88% of whom continue to work in the field, contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in China and beyond. The majority of participants report that their experience with us has been transformative for their careers.
Provided long-term support to 5 grassroots conservation organizations
Assisting with fundraising, project management, research, outreach, and capacity building to help strengthen local conservation capacity.
Helped local partners secure over USD 350,000 in funding
Offering comprehensive support to more than 20 local projects, advancing wildlife conservation and community engagement, and co-authoring or supporting the production of over 20 books and brochures.
Published over 20 articles in journals and more than 100 pieces on social media
Sharing local perspectives and international experience with the conservation community to foster mutual understanding and collective learning.
Organized 9 interdisciplinary conservation courses for high school students
Guiding over 50 students on field trips to the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas, contributing over USD 35,000 in direct income to local conservation organizations and communities.
Led symposia at the International Congress for Conservation Biology in 2019, 2023, and 2025
Providing a platform for Conservation Edgewalkers fellows to present their research and fieldwork to an international audience.
The hardest part of conservation is learning how to step outside our own worldview, to see the world through someone else’s eyes, and to navigate between those perspectives to find common ground. This mindset shift—this habit of thinking in multidimensional ways—was one of the greatest gifts I received from the Conservation Edgewalkers.
— Wang Yiqing, ConEdge 2019
As conservation practitioners, we often deal with a wide range of issues—and having the ability to analyze them from multiple perspectives really helps us understand the full picture. The Conservation Edgewalkers interdisciplinary learning group provided me with the opportunity to explore real-world problems through various disciplinary lenses. It was an eye-opening experience that taught me a great deal and left a lasting impact on my perspective on conservation work.
— Dangzhou Zhaxi, ConEdge 2020
Conservation Edgewalkers exposed me to new ways of thinking—what I gained went far beyond my expectations, or rather, beyond the limits of my original perspective. These fresh viewpoints began to break down my mental walls. Concepts that once felt abstract or vague started to connect and take shape through each session, like pieces of a growing mind map. I’m still learning, but this experience has laid a solid foundation for me to explore complex issues from a more holistic angle.
— Dai Weihan, ConEdge 2024
Our Publications
Conservation Edgewalkers actively contributes to academic and public conversations on conservation through publications in leading Chinese journals. Below is a selection of our articles that share insights from our collective learning, research, and fieldwork across diverse contexts.
| Year | Publication |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Lhomokyi, Wang, Y., Gao, Y. The application of artificial intelligence in biodiversity conservation and its challenges, Science (China), 77 (1), 12-16. |
| 2025 | Yang, F., Gao, Y. Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) for achieving the “3030 Goal” on biodiversity, Science (China), 77 (1), 17-21. |
| 2025 | Wang, Y., Gao, Y. Wildlife conservation approaches to addressing climate and biodiversity loss, Science (China), 77 (1), 22-25. |
| 2025 | Huang, L., Gao, Y. Potential contribution of traditional ecological knowledge to the One Health framework, Science (China), 77 (1), 26-31. |
| 2025 | Chen, Y., Gao, Y. Exploring the principles of compassionate conservation and practical animal ethics, Science (China), 77 (1), 32-36. |
| 2025 | Zhang, Z., Gao, Y. Visitor Search and Rescue in Yosemite National Park, Sanjiangyuan Ecology, 2025(1), 72-84. |
| 2024 | Chen, Y., Xue, Y., Gao, Y. Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, Sanjiangyuan Ecology, 2024(1): 75-84. |
| 2024 | Ling, Q., Han, Y., Gao, Y. Public-Private Partnership: Akagera National Park’s Innovative Path of Management, Sanjiangyuan Ecology, 2024 (2): 74-84. |
| 2024 | Gao, Y., Wang, Y., Lv, S. Surrogate species of biodiversity conservation: concept and application. Science (China), 76 (2), 26-30. |
| 2023 | Hu, J., Gao, Y., Wei, Y., Sang, J. Tibetan traditional ecological knowledge on grasslands: A case study from Ganjia. Science (China), 75 (3), 30-34. |
| 2021 | Hu, J., Sang, J., Gao, Y. Ganjia Grassland in Gansu: Nature-based and community-based grassland ecosystem governance. Science (China), 73(5), 16-21. |
| 2020 | Gao, Y., Hu, J., Dangzhou, T. Biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation: Experience and reflection from Sanjiangyuan. China Environment, 12, 50-53. |
| 2020 | Xia, Y., Gao, Y. Online bird trade and shipping: Status and recommendations. China Environment, 9, 50-54. |
| 2020 | Yue, Z., Liu, X., Gao, Y. Eco-tourism in national parks: What can we learn from international experience. China Environment, 4, 55-58. |
| 2020 | Li, T., Qin, Y., Gao, Y. How to mitigate human-bear conflict in the Sanjiangyuan National Park. China Environment, 7, 41-45. |
| 2020 | Gao, Y., Hu, J., Chen, Y. Local conservation NGOs in the Sanjiangyuan region: Status and recommendations. China Environment. 6, 55-58. |
| 2020 | Gao, Y., Hu, J., Li, T. Wildlife conservation in China needs broader public participation. China Environment, 3, 30-33. |
| 2019 | Gao, Y., Sangpo, T. From conflict to coexistence: Cultural analysis of human-wildlife relationship. Science (China), 71(5), 10-14. |
| 2019 | Li, Y., Gao, Y. Paying for human-wildlife conflict: A review of financial instruments. Science (China), 71(5), 5-9. |
| 2019 | Wang, Y., Qi, X., Gao, Y. Human-wildlife conflict: A challenge to human-nature symbiosis, Science (China), 71(5), 1-4. |
| 2018 | Fang, J., Ma, X., Gao, Y. History of community-based conservation and its implications for conservation in China. Science (China), 70(6), 19-22. |
| 2018 | Feng, Y., Chen, Y., Gao, Y. Interdisciplinary conservation based on the policy sciences. China Environment, 11, 48-50. |
| 2017 | Yan, H., He, C., Gao, Y. Obstacles to pursuing a conservation career in China. China Environment, 9, 33-35. |