Wildlife conservation varies worldwide in its form, function, and underlying principles. In recent years, efforts have been directed to describe the key attributes that collectively make wildlife conservation in North America unique.
Although efforts to articulate wildlife conservation in North America have come of late, awareness among practitioners in the U.S and Canada that their wildlife conservation programs differed from others around the world has existed for decades. Describing these attributes or principles can serve many purposes: foster celebration of the profession’s maturation and accomplishments; serve as an educational tool; and identify gaps, shortcomings, or areas in need of expansion to address contemporary or future challenges. The intent of this technical review is to contribute to all of these purposes.