19 - 23 February 2024, Conguillio National Park, Chile

Anni Arponen; Carlos Alberto Arnillas; Marc Cadotte; Javiera Beatriz Chinga Chamorro; Mariana Chiuffo; Sharon Collinge; Roger Cousens; Kadambari Devarajan; Ken Ehrlich; marilyn grell-brisk; Lesley Hughes; Rebecca Kariuki; Heather Kharouba; Alexandra-Maria Klein; Tara Martin; Toni Lyn Morelli; Hazel Norman; Monica Ortiz; Aníbal Pauchard; Ana Carolina Prado-Valladares; Helen Regan; Libby Rumpff; Florian Schnabel; Bruno Soares; Gisela Stotz; Kristiina Visakorpi; Marten Winter; Florencia A. Yannelli.

Michael Williams, independent pro-bono workshop facilitator.

We are going through the sixth mass extinction and facing the consequences of biodiversity loss (IPBES 2019). Our natural world has not faced a crisis of comparable magnitude in more than 60 million years. As professional ecologists and environmental scientists (EESs), it has become impossible to ignore the cascading environmental emergencies and the political decisions driving them. Eco-social well-being, a combination of planetary health, cooperation and justice resulting in human holistic prosperity, is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. EESs are uniquely positioned to guide action, driven by a shared belief in the necessity and value of their contributions to safeguarding the planet's future. However, it remains unclear how EESs can effectively bridge the gap between knowledge and action in the communities and ecosystems they work in. Additionally, it is uncertain how they can undertake their various roles within these communities to drive meaningful change.

By the very nature of their training, funding and employment, EESs are intricately connected to, and, in essence, indebted to, the communities they work in. This connection should shape their sense of professional responsibilities (Bird 2014). For example, there have been important shifts towards data accessibility and permanent data repositories, including greater demand for and access to open access publications. These are partly driven by the principle that those who ultimately fund research (i.e. taxpayers) should have the ability to access and assess the research they support. This approach ensures a legacy and continuity on which to build future discoveries. Moreover, it is founded on the premise that knowledge should be accessible to everyone, thereby fostering the advancement of science (Suber 2006, Foundation 2023).

While the importance of research and project accessibility is now widely accepted, how EESs should navigate broader societal responsibilities and obligations remains unclear. The boundaries of these responsibilities are also ambiguous, as unlike many other fields, EESs often lack codified principles that define their values and responsibilities across their diverse roles. For instance, medical professionals adhere to established ethical frameworks, such as the modernised Hippocratic Oath or the Declaration of Geneva, which guide decisions and reflect contemporary values (Parsa-Parsi 2017). The absence of similar frameworks for EESs can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in their professional practice, particularly when working with or as members of environmentalist organisations, government agencies, NGOs or industry. This lack of clarity may result in less impactful or ineffective outcomes and, in some cases, even legal consequences (Fraser 2017, Tollefson and Mega 2017). National and international ecological societies are well-positioned to address this gap by developing explicit values and actionable guidelines for their members. Establishing these frameworks and aligning them with global environmental challenges would significantly enhance the capacity of EESs to effectively address critical issues.

Defining the values and responsibilities of EESs across the diverse possible roles is inherently complex, especially when considering the blurred boundaries between professional obligations to society and personal activism. It also remains unclear whether these can, or even should, be distinctly separated. EESs can affect the environment in various ways depending on their role and their work can be influenced by the environment as well. They also operate in numerous capacities and engage with a wide array of stakeholders on critical issues. These interactions occur through diverse pathways, including collaborating with practitioners such as land managers, informing or acting as policy-makers, developing educational programmes, working in academic institutions, interacting with the media and participating in advocacy or activism (Fig. 1). Such varied roles highlight the need to evaluate the obligations of EESs across financial, intellectual, ethical and institutional dimensions. Financially, society’s investment in training, employing and funding ecological and environmental research creates an implicit responsibility for EESs to effectively communicate critical issues to the public. Intellectually, as experts with specialised knowledge of ecological and environmental systems, EESs are often seen as having a duty to educate, correct misconceptions and guide public perception and policy decisions. Ethically, their dedication to understanding and managing natural and human-modified ecosystems suggests a leadership role in efforts to minimise harm and promote environmental sustainability. Together, these interconnected dimensions underscore the complexity of defining the responsibilities of EESs in addressing global environmental crises.

To address this issue, a diverse group of EESs gathered at the 2024 ANdiNA workshop in Conguillío National Park, located in the Andean Region of the Araucanía in Chile, within the Wallmapu, ancestral land of the Mapuche people. This Park is home to the sacred Pewen tree (Araucaria araucana), with which the Mapuche maintain a dynamic and evolving relationship, shaped by a complex blend of ecological, social and cultural factors (Ibarra et al. 2022). Given its significance, the Park provided an ideal setting to discuss and debate the responsibilities of EESs towards society in general and local communities such as the one hosting us, within the context of the ongoing environmental crises. The workshop centred around what the organising committee called "the big question": What are the obligations, responsibilities and accountabilities of EESs in their different roles towards both society and nature? From this, three more specific questions emerged, which were presented to participants:

1. What is the span of activities that professionals in the field of ecology should engage in as part of their purported mission to fulfil their professional and social obligations?
2. Do these obligations remain the same now that we are facing the climate and biodiversity crises or do times of emergency call for re-definition of our obligations and responsibilities to the society?
3. Should EESs be liable for mistakes, biases and scientific malpractices which lead to wrong policies, management or information to the public?

At the 2024 ANdiNA meeting, EESs from around the world, primarily from academia, gathered to engage in discussions over the questions presented. In the discussions, the participants aimed to:

• Identify the current obligations of EESs professionals and explore how these responsibilities should evolve in response to the ongoing environmental crisis.
• Revisit the history of social responsibility within the EESs field by addressing questions such as: How far have we come from the view of EESs, mostly scientists, as detached from society?
• Discuss whether EESs professionals need a clearer framework for defining their responsibilities, such as an oath or manifesto, to guide their actions in this critical time.
• Debate whether scientists in the field of ecology should be held accountable for failing to fulfil their obligations and responsibilities and explore what such accountability would look like in practice.

Kristiina Visakorpi - Norwegian University of Science and Technology - Co-chair

Florencia Yannelli - IADIZA, CONICET Mendoza, Argentina, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, and Freie Universität Berlin, Germany - Co-chair

Marc Cadotte - University of Toronto, Scarborough, Canada

Helen Regan - University of California-Riverside, Sacramento, USA

Monica Ortiz - Institute for Ecology and Biodiversity, Conception, Chile

Mariana Chiuffo - INIBIOMA, CONICET, Bariloche, Argentina

Facilitator - Michael Williams, Michael Williams & Associates Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia

Coordinator, secretary, treasurer - Roger Cousens, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Australia

The structure of the ANdiNA workshops provides an ideal setting to address the questions and aims presented, due to its immersive and unconventional format, which foregoes traditional activities like poster sessions or speaker presentations. ANdiNA workshops are designed to combine in-depth discussions held in a venue reserved exclusively for participants and include dynamic "walkshops" in the surrounding natural environment, allowing smaller groups to interact while on the move. Since its inception, the overall aim of ANdiNA has been to foster deep debate amongst scientists by focusing on critical issues in ecology and environmental sciences, filling the gap left by traditional conferences. Workshops have taken place globally, with each session designed to explore different scientific challenges, including transdisciplinary research, species range shifts and invasive species management, for 12 years now. The workshops usually bring together 25-35 participants, blending early-career and experienced researchers from diverse disciplines and countries, with costs kept as low as possible, especially for early career researchers (ECRs) and no financial incentives offered. By employing creative facilitation techniques, these workshops foster dynamic and inclusive environments that inspire collaboration and drive innovation. Locations are carefully selected for their inspiring settings, which foster creativity, connection with the environment and meaningful interactions amongst participants. By varying the venues, these workshops also create opportunities for people from different continents to join and contribute to the collaborative experience.

Approximately a year before the workshop was to take place, the organising committee opened a call for participation in the ANdiNA 2024 meeting, promoting it through social media and professional networks and committee members also invited specific individuals they believed would be a good fit for the event to apply. The selection criteria prioritised participants with diverse stakeholder engagement experience in the field of ecology, a drive for change or innovative approaches and representation across research interests, gender and geographic regions. Targeted groups included ecologists, environmental scientists, conservation biologists, social scientists, philosophers, practitioners, journalists, NGO members and policy-makers. The committee was also particularly interested in the participation of representatives from major ecological societies. Applications were split into early-career researchers (ECRs) and non-ECRs and each group was scored separately according to how relevant their participation was to the workshop, based on a 1-3 ranking. Rankings were adjusted to ensure representation of topics and interests, with top-ranked individuals accepted. The organising committee received a total of 64 applications, of which 19 were selected to participate. The number was determined, based on venue capacity and prior experience with the optimal participant count for effective engagement and interaction.

Based at the lodge La Baita, in Conguillío National Park in southern Chile, the workshop took place on 19-23 February 2024. All participants met in Temuco, a nearby city and travelled to the Park. The programme was centred on “the big question”, the structure of the workshop being prepared and facilitated by Mike Williams, principal of Michael Williams & Associates Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based natural resource management strategy and facilitation firm, with extensive experience in facilitating workshops, including all previous ANdiNA workshops, governance frameworks and co-management agreements for various Australian governments, NGOs and Aboriginal communities. The workshop followed the overall format of previous ANdiNA meetings, with morning and evening working sessions in the venue and afternoon hikes in the surrounding areas within the National Park. Late evenings included activities designed by participants to create fun spaces to socialise and network.

Day 1: Monday, 19 Feb 2024 (Fig. 2)

Travel and Opening Sessions

• 08:00-12:30 – Travel to La Baita

Participants departed at 8:00 am from the Best Western Ferrat Hotel in Temuco. There was a briefing, waiver forms and brief introductions. On the way to the venue participants met Mapuche elders from the local indigenous people and representatives of the community at Truful Truful Gorge. There, participants were briefed about the Mapuche cosmovision of nature, learned about the environmental problems in the region and their concerns about them. During the journey, participants formed pairs with their neighbours and had the task of introducing themselves and answering ice-breaking questions in order to introduce their matched pair to the rest of the group later in the day.

• 12:30-13:00 – Arrive & Setup

Participants arrived at La Baita, checked in and settled.

• 14:00-15:00 h – Lunch with Mapuche representatives
• 15:00-17:00 h – Welcome & Workshop Goals

Facilitators and the La Baita team introduced themselves and provided a safety briefing. Each participant presented their paired neighbour to the rest of the group. Mapuche community representatives stayed for the presentations. Aníbal Pauchard, a Chilean professor at University of Concepción that has extensive experience working in the area, delivered a short presentation on Conguillio’s natural history.

• 18:00-20:00 h – Workshop Aspirations

“The big question” was introduced, initial discussions focused on workshop goals and outcomes. An overview of ANdiNA workshops and goals was presented, followed by discussions on desired outputs, facilitated by Mike and the team.

• 21:00-22:00 h – Evening Social Time

Day 2: Tuesday, 20 Feb 2024

Exploring the Big Question

• 08:30-09:00 h – Rhythm & Protocols

The day began with an overview of the agenda and workshop approaches.

• 09:00-10:30 h – Session 1: The Big Question

Participants refined “the big question” and identified key sub-questions for small group sessions.

• 10:30-11:00 h – Morning Tea
• 11:00-12:30 h – Session 2: Preparing the Pitch

Sub-questions were formulated and developed for further discussion.

• 13:00-17:30 h – Walkshop 1

A light hike with landscape interpretation and informal group discussions.

• 17:30-18:00 h – Personal Time
• 18:00-20:00 h – Session 3: World Café / Cocktail Bar

Participants pitched and refined sub-questions for small group discussions.

• 20:00-21:00 h – Dinner
• 21:00-22:00 h – Quiz Night

Day 3: Wednesday, 21 Feb 2024

Deep-Dive Discussions

• 08:30-09:00 h – Reflection & Overview

Participants reviewed outcomes from the previous day.

• 09:00-10:30 h – Session 4: Small Group Discussions – Part 1

Priority sub-questions were discussed in depth.

• 10:30-11:00 h – Morning Tea
• 11:00-12:30 h – Session 5: Small Group Discussions – Part 2

Discussions continued, focusing on refining outputs.

• 13:00-17:00 h – Walkshop 2

This walk emphasised refining workshop products through informal discussions.

• 17:00-18:00h – Personal Time
• 18:00-20:00 h – Session 6: Recipes for Success

Practical discussions on transforming ideas into actionable outputs.

• 20:00-21:00 h – Dinner
• 21:00-22:00 h – Poetry Night

Day 4: Thursday, 22 Feb 2024 (Fig. 3)

Drafting & Action Planning

• 08:30-09:00 h – Reflection & Overview

Outcomes from Wednesday were reviewed.

• 09:00-10:30 h – Session 7: “Shut Up and Write”

Participants worked in small groups to draft outputs.

• 10:30-11:00 h – Morning Tea
• 11:00-12:30 h – Session 8: Keep Writing

Writing continued, with feedback incorporated into drafts.

13:00-17:00 h – Walkshop 3

Focused on action planning during informal discussions.

• 17:00-18:00 h – Personal Time
• 18:00-20:00 h – Session 9: Action Planning

Small groups developed next steps, including publication plans and timelines.

• 20:00-21:00 h – Dinner
• 21:00-22:00 h – Little Concert

La Baita owners and local musicians performed for the group.

Day 5: Friday, 23 Feb 2024

Wrap-up & Departure

• 08:30-09:00 h – Reflection & Overview

Participants reflected on Thursday’s outcomes.

• 09:00-10:30 h – Session 10: Commitments to Future Work

Milestones and deadlines for post-workshop actions were established.

• 10:30-11:00 h – Morning Tea & Group Photo
• 11:00-12:30 h – Session 11: Closing

The workshop concluded with final reflections, evaluations and expressions of gratitude.

• 12:30-13:30 h – Lunch (packed lunch for the bus)
• 13:30-16:00 h – Return Travel to Temuco

Topics discussed

Final themes chosen for further development

The meeting fostered dynamic discussions and collaborative brainstorming to address what the group felt were the pressing challenges facing EESs in a time of global crises. Key themes emerged, including the need to define professional responsibilities, amplify Indigenous and local voices and re-imagine education and academic structures to align with ethical values and societal needs. Many of these key themes have evolved into calls for action or scientific manuscripts. The Conguillío Statement was proposed as a framework to unify EESs around shared values and responsibilities, emphasising the importance of care and collective action in addressing socio-ecological challenges. Other initiatives focused on integrating Indigenous knowledge, prioritising conservation impact through actionable research and fostering transformative practices to bridge the gap between science and society. Discussions highlighted the importance of shifting research priorities towards actionable solutions, advocating for evidence-based policies and embracing collaboration with marginalised communities (Fig. 7).

This report describes the motivation and the outcome of discussions initiated at the five-day ANdiNA VI workshop at La Baita, Parque Nacional Conguillío, Chile in February 2024. We acknowledge the warm welcome that we received from local Mapuche elders, the indigenous peoples of the territory on which we met. The workshop was partly funded by the University of California, Riverside, USA and facilitated pro bono by Michael Williams. Funding from the University of Toronto helped support travel of ECRs. Additional funding sources include the Kone Foundation (grant number 202203652) for AA, CONICET (PIBAA 2022–2023) for MCC, the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft in Freiburg im Breisgau for FS, and the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung through the Feodor Lynen Fellowship for FAY.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.