North American Summit on Collaborating with Wildlife
Summit Purpose
Drawing large, multi-sector participation from across the continent, the CW Summit aims explore, establish, and resource Models & Methodologies for Collaborating with Wildlife (CW) impacting the way North American societies understand and act toward native species. It acts on the basis that wildlife and humans are not separate but together part of a single, interconnected system—while acknowledging that wildlife are losing the competition for resources and habitat occupation. CW evolves concepts of wildlife as merely subordinate, consumptive resources, or threats to human health and safety. Instead, CW acts on a concept of wildlife as intrinsically and functionally collaborative toward sustaining nature.
A special focus on park gateways...
In the CW Summit context, the term “park” generically describes protected natural areas maintained for wildlife. Accessible parks draw increasing tourism and recreation and attracting new residents bringing development to park outskirts. Being lost at a rapid clip are the family farms, ranches and other areas which often serve as extended open space for park wildlife. Land and ocean habitats alike are increasingly traversed by traffic and changed by infrastructure. Displacement, intolerance, and habitat loss are common challenges for wildlife venturing outside today’s parks.
Summit Structure
DISCOVER ~ EQUIP ~ EXPLORE ~ INNOVATE
Program Summary
(As of October 19, 2026)
Tuesday, February 2, 2027
8:30a Welcome & Summit Overview & Logistic
8:45a Prologue: A Legacy Lost ~ The 1700-1800s Wildlife Loss Across North America, Land & Sea
9:15a Opening Panel Dialogue ~ Taking Leadership on Meeting Wildlife Needs in Texas & Beyond
10:00a Coffee Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
10:15a Panel Dialogue: Tribal Perspectives on Wildlife Loss & the Recovery of Wildlife & Lifeways
10:45a Panel Dialogue on National Seashores: What it Means to be a Park with Gateways ~ Common
Wildlife Challenges in Unique Local Contexts
11:15a Investor Forum on Collaborating with Wildlife
Noon Overview: Summit Workgroup Dialogue Process + Introducing Zoo & Aquarium Training Track
12:15p Lunch Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
1:30p Set 1: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
3:00p Transition Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
3:15p Set 2: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
4:45p Panel Dialogue: Wildlife Resiliency ~ Health & Reproduction
5:30p Opening Reception
Wednesday, February 3, 2027
8:30a Set 3: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
10:00a Transition Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
10:15a Set 4: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
11:45a Lunch Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
1:15p Set 5: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
2:45p Transition Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
3:00p Panel Dialogue: State Agencies Managing Wildlife as Pillars of Collaborating with Wildlife
4:00p Panel Dialogue: Collaborating with Wildlife Innovations for Oceans & Freshwater
5:00p Visual & Cultural Expressions of North America’s Wildlife Return ~ Film Clips & Photo Show
Thursday, February 4, 2027
8:30a Set 6: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
10:00a Transition Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
10:15a Set 7: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
11:45a Lunch Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
1:15p Set 8: Concurrent Themed Workgroup Dialogues on Models & Methodologies
2:45p Transition Break with Exhibitors & Vendors
3:00p Panel Dialogue: Collaborating with Wildlife Innovations on Land
4:30p Panel Dialogue: Wildlife Resiliency ~ Disaster Mitigation & Response
5:00p Summit Wrap-Up
Friday, February 5, 2027
Field Trip ~ Port of Corpus Christi Wildlife Rescue Operations Center & Texas State Aquarium (Pre-Registration Required)
8:30a Meet at front entrance of the Rescue Operations Center + Tour Overview
9:00a Port of Corpus Christi Wildlife Rescue Operations Center Tour
Points Along the Tour
-
Intensive care and holding areas for marine mammals, sea turtles*, small carnivores, and other Texas wildlife
-
State-of-the-art veterinary laboratories
-
Wildlife response fleet available at the port, alongside disaster assets from Texas agencies
Noon Participants Return to Texas State Aquarium for an Afternoon of Exploration
(gratis pass for registered FieldTrip participants)