The International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is a non-profit tax-exempt organization open to professional biologists, wildlife managers and others dedicated to the conservation of all bear species. The organization has over 550 members from over 50 countries. It supports the scientific management of bears through research and distribution of information. The IBA sponsors international conferences on all aspects of bear biology, ecology and management. The proceedings are published as peer-reviewed scientific papers in the journal Ursus.

IBA Mission Statement

Goal: The goal of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is to promote the conservation
and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, management and education.

Objectives: In support of this goal, IBA’s objectives are to:
1. Promote and foster well-designed research of the highest professional standards.
2. Develop and promote sound stewardship of the world’s bears through scientifically based population and habitat management.
3. Publish and distribute, through its conferences and publications, peer-reviewed scientific and technical information
of high quality addressing broad issues of ecology, conservation and management.
4. Encourage communication and collaboration across scientific disciplines and among bear researchers and managers
through conferences, workshops and newsletters.
5. Increase public awareness and understanding of bear ecology, conservation, and management by encouraging the
translation of technical information into popular literature and other media, as well as through other educational forums.
6. Encourage the professional growth and development of our members.
7. Provide professional counsel and advice on issues of natural resource policy related to bear management and conservation.
8. Maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.
9. Encourage full international participation in the IBA through the sitting of conferences, active recruitment of international
members and officers, and through financial support for international research, travel to meetings, member
ships, and journal subscriptions.
10. Through its integrated relationship with the Bear Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)/Species
Survival Commission, identify priorities in bear research and management and recruit project proposals to the IBA
Grants Program that address these priorities.
11. Build an endowment and a future funding base to provide ongoing support for IBA core functions and for the IBA
Grants Program.
12. Support innovative solutions to bear conservation dilemmas that involve local communities as well as national or
regional governments and, to the extent possible, address their needs without compromising bear conservation, recognizing
that conservation is most successful where human communities are stable and can see the benefits of conservation efforts.
13. Form partnerships with other institutions to achieve conservation goals, where partnerships could provide additional
funding, knowledge of geographical areas, or expertise in scientific or non-scientific sectors.

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