The first International Online Conference on Zoological and Botanical Gardens (IOCZBG 2026), organised by MDPI's Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, will bring together researchers and professionals from around the world for three days of presentations and discussion, from 2 to 4 December 2026.
The online event will explore developments in animal welfare, behaviour and health, plant conservation, botanical collections and sustainability.
It will welcome participants from zoological and botanical gardens, conservation organisations, museums, universities and related institutions.
Registration is free and remains open until 27 November 2026.
Six themes for IOCZBG 2026
The scientific programme is organised around six thematic sessions covering key areas of research and practice across zoological and botanical institutions.
These include zoo animal welfare, with a focus on assessment, husbandry, enrichment and ethical considerations, alongside zoo animal behaviour and research into cognition, environmental influences and behavioural management.
A further session will explore zoo animal health, including veterinary medicine, disease management, nutrition and One Health perspectives.
The botanical programme will cover biodiversity conservation, the role of gardens in plant research and education, and the management and preservation of living and preserved collections in botanical gardens, arboreta and museums.
Sustainability will also be featured, examining environmental stewardship, sustainable practices and the contribution of botanical gardens to addressing global challenges.
International expertise and conservation research
Invited speakers will present on a range of topics, including conservation medicine, global biodiversity challenges, wildlife reproductive technologies and conservation biobanking.
Other subjects include advances in carnivore nutrition and managed wildlife health, seed conservation, germplasm preservation and cryopreservation technologies, and the scientific and conservation value of living botanical collections.
The presentations will highlight the growing contribution of zoological and botanical institutions to scientific research, conservation, education and sustainability.
A detailed programme, including presentation schedules and further session information, is expected to be published shortly.
Researchers, students, practitioners, and industry professionals interested in participating can register for free before the 27 November deadline.
See also: International Online Conference on Zoological and Botanical Gardens shares speaker details
Charlotte Blanco Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
