ABOUT us
What is the International Network for Conservation Paleobiology (INCP)?
The International Network for Conservation Paleobiology (INCP) is a non-profit organization that supports the use of paleontological and historical data to improve management and restoration of species and natural habitats. Fossils and other archives of the past can inform us about natural habitats that existed before humans appeared on our planet. Moreover, researchers have shown recently that the fossil record can help us to assess the ongoing loss of species and habitats. That is, the knowledge of the past can help us to better protect and restore threatened plants and animals. This network brings together scientists and stakeholders (communities, agencies, and industry) to ensure that historical archives effectively assist conservation efforts.
The success of our network depends on assembling a diverse team of members who represent various viewpoints. We encourage active participation of college and university students (undergraduate and graduate students), junior scientists, members of underrepresented groups, and experts from all relevant professions to join the network and participate in activities.
Our History
The International Network for Conservation Paleobiology (INCP) began as the Conservation Paleobiology Network (CPN), which was supported by a 5-year Research Coordination Network grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation beginning in 2020. You can find the link to the National Science Foundation Proposal HERE.
The CPN aimed to transform conservation paleobiology from a cluster of novel academic projects into an applied science that transferred geohistorical data to stakeholder groups and was responsive to stakeholder needs. The network focused on both internal integration (i.e. bringing together disparate efforts, establishing best practices, connecting efforts across regions, and coordinating the training of future researchers in these best practices) and external integration (i.e. networking of scientists and stakeholders to make conservation paleobiology a translational science wherein new knowledge evolves via interactions between scientists and scientific data users). To achieve these goals the RCN used grass-roots strategies to build a community of practice and a large international member base. Key activities included the establishment and funding of ten conservation paleobiology working groups, an international symposium on conservation paleobiology, educational resources such as webinars and workshops, and support for students in the form of travel grants, internships, and fellowships.
At the end of the funding cycle in 2025, the network had nearly 1000 members from more than 50 countries. It was apparent that there was still a need and a desire for the network to exist, and the Conservation Paleobiology Network was transitioned into a non-profit organization International Network for Conservation Paleobiology, which has the same goals as the original network, but with a different funding structure (membership fees, donations, and sponsors rather that funding from the U.S. federal government). This new funding model allows us to expand the international focus of the network, and focus on supporting the discipline of conservation paleobiology without the limits imposed by the use of U.S. federal government funds.
