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The Coalition for Conservation Genetics (CCG) brings together four eminent organizations with the shared goal of improving the integration of genetic information into conservation policy and practice. We provide a historical context of conservation genetics as a field and reflect on current barriers to conserving genetic diversity, highlighting the need for collaboration across traditional divides, international partnerships, and coordinated advocacy. We then introduce the CCG and illustrate through examples how a coalition approach can leverage complementary expertise and improve the organizational impact at multiple levels. The CCG has proven particularly successful at implementing large synthesis‐type projects, training early‐career scientists, and advising policy makers. Achievements to date highlight the potential for the CCG to make effective contributions to practical conservation policy and management that no one "parent" organization could achieve on its own. Finally, we reflect on the lessons learned through forming the CCG, and our vision for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global conservation policy and action have largely neglected protecting and monitoring genetic diversity—one of the three main pillars of biodiversity. Genetic diversity (diversity within species) underlies species' adaptation and survival, ecosystem resilience, and societal innovation. The low priority given to genetic diversity has largely been due to knowledge gaps in key areas, including the importance of genetic diversity and the trends in genetic diversity change; the perceived high expense and low availability and the scattered nature of genetic data; and complicated concepts and information that are inaccessible to policymakers. However, numerous recent advances in knowledge, technology, databases, practice, and capacity have now set the stage for better integration of genetic diversity in policy instruments and conservation efforts. We review these developments and explore how they can support improved consideration of genetic diversity in global conservation policy commitments and enable countries to monitor, report on, and take action to maintain or restore genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preserving genetic diversity is a central goal in conservation biology, but there is a mismatch between the availability of genetic data and its use in conservation policy. In this study, we surveyed conservation practitioners from academic and government institutions to identify barriers preventing the use of genetic data for conservation practice and policy. Our survey data indicates that the majority of respondents are interested in using genetic tools, and many have used them in the past. Most of these genetic studies were facilitated by partnerships with academic and private organizations, which was the preferred method for integrating genetic research in practice by managers. Although much progress has been made to incorporate genetic study in conservation practice, differences in research goals, the cost of analyses and lack of specialized personnel continue to be barriers to incorporating genetic study in evaluating management actions and informing legislation. We recommend increasing the number of collaborative partnerships between genetic researchers and conservation managers to support management strategies of wild populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]