About the Journal

The Journal of Conservation Edgewalkers (JCE) is an open-access journal dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge and practice to understand coexistence between people and wildlife. JCE provides an inclusive and supportive platform for emerging conservationists, particularly those from the Global South, to share innovative research, theoretical explorations, and practical insights that cross disciplinary, sectoral, and cultural boundaries.

 

The journal is hosted by Conservation Edgewalkers and sustained by the voluntary efforts of editors and reviewers from academic and conservation communities worldwide. Operated without a dedicated budget, it follows a rolling publication model, with accepted articles published online throughout the year and compiled into an annual volume each October. We are committed to building the journal’s academic standing and aim to obtain an impact factor in the near future.

Aim and Scope

JCE seeks contributions from emerging conservationists that:

  • Present problem-oriented studies grounded in specific local contexts, addressing challenges in biodiversity conservation, sustainability, natural resource management, or related fields.
  • Promote dialogue and integration across the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and indigenous and local knowledge systems.
  • Offer critical reflections on the ethics, politics, and philosophy of conservation in diverse socio-ecological settings.

We particularly welcome problem-oriented interdisciplinary contributions that address conservation challenges grounded in specific local contexts, exploring concrete problems and potential solutions shaped by local realities, while not overlooking how trans-local forces influence and interact with local social processes and decision-making.

 

What We Mean by Emerging Conservationists

 

At JCE, we define emerging conservationists as individuals at the early stage of contributing to the broad field of conservation, who are beginning to shape ideas, practices, and solutions related to biodiversity, sustainability, natural resource management, and other relevant topics.

 

Emerging conservationists may include:

  • Undergraduate or graduate students engaged in conservation-related research or practice
  • Early-career professionals working in conservation science, policy, or management
  • Community leaders or grassroots practitioners initiating conservation actions
  • Individuals from any background who are entering the field and bringing fresh perspectives or innovative approaches

What distinguishes emerging conservationists is not age or formal title, but their growing contribution, curiosity, and commitment to advancing interdisciplinary conservation knowledge and practice. 

 

Type of Contribution

 

JCE publishes the following four types of articles:

 

Research Note (8,000 words)

Papers reporting original empirical, theoretical, or synthetic research that provides preliminary findings with high relevance for conservation practice or policy.

 

Case Innovation (5,000 words)

Detailed analyses of conservation projects, programs, or collaborations, with an emphasis on practical lessons learned, successes, and challenges from the field.

 

Edgewalking Insight (3,000 words)

Short essays, reflections, or commentary pieces exploring novel ideas, ethical dilemmas, or personal experiences at the boundaries of conservation science and practice.

 

Youth Voice (3,000 words)

Articles authored by senior high school students offering fresh perspectives, preliminary studies, or reflections on conservation issues.

 

Conservation Wisdom (8,000 words)

Invited contributions from senior conservationists who share their accumulated wisdom, critical reflections, and forward-looking ideas to guide and challenge the conservation community.

 

Note: Word count includes all text from the abstract through acknowledgments. It does not include the reference list, table and figure legends, or the body of tables. Manuscripts that substantially exceed these word limits will not be considered for review.

Article Selection Process

The Journal of Conservation Edgewalkers (JCE) offers two pathways for article selection, reflecting our commitment to academic rigor, practical relevance, and our mission to amplify the voices of emerging conservationists. 

Peer-Reviewed Pathway

 

Manuscripts submitted through this pathway will undergo double-blind peer review. We encourage authors to suggest potential reviewers who have appropriate expertise and no conflicts of interest. All peer-reviewed submissions are evaluated for originality, methodological soundness, and contribution to the aims and scope of the journal.

 

Recommended Submission Pathway


We also consider manuscripts recommended by senior conservation researchers or practitioners who are familiar with the journal’s mission and standards. Such recommendations must come from individuals not directly involved in the submitted work. These manuscripts will be reviewed by the editorial board to ensure they meet the journal’s quality criteria and align with its aims and scope.

 

Open Access

 

JCE is a fully open-access journal, with all content published under a Creative Commons license. There are no charges for author submissions or publication. The journal is committed to supporting the development of emerging and junior conservationists from all countries by making knowledge accessible and inclusive. Operated entirely through volunteer efforts, the journal welcomes donations to help sustain the journal operations, website, and other logistical costs. If you are interested in supporting the journal, please get in touch with the managing editor.

 

Language Support Statement

 

The Journal of Conservation Edgewalkers values substance over stylistic perfection and strives to create an inclusive platform for sharing conservation knowledge globally.

 

JCE is committed to lowering language barriers in conservation publishing and supporting authors whose first language is not English. We welcome manuscripts written in clear and simple English and encourage authors to prioritise clarity of ideas and sound scientific reasoning over complex phrasing or idiomatic expression. Minor language errors or imperfections will not affect the editorial decision, provided that the meaning is clear and the contribution is significant.

 

We encourage non-native English authors to use AI tools or grammar assistance software (such as ChatGPT or Grammarly) to help edit and polish their manuscripts. However, authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, clarity, and integrity of the final submitted text.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence

 

We do not accept articles that are written wholly or in part by generative AI software with only light human editing. Authors may use AI tools or grammar software to improve language or formatting (such as polishing text or reference lists), but caution is required. As of 2025, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT frequently produce inaccurate or fabricated references, and it is the author’s responsibility to ensure that all references are accurate and verifiable.

Ethics Statement

JCE upholds the highest standards of academic and professional integrity. Authors must ensure that:

  • All submissions are original and have not been published or submitted elsewhere.
  • All sources of data, funding, and potential conflicts of interest are fully disclosed.
  • Research involving human participants, communities, or sensitive ecological data complies with ethical standards, including obtaining appropriate consent and respecting the rights and knowledge of local and indigenous peoples.
  • Collaborative work appropriately acknowledges the contributions of all partners, including non-academic and community collaborators.

Privacy Statement

The Journal collects and manages users' personal information, including names and email addresses, solely for academic and editorial purposes related to this website. Such personal information shall not be disclosed, shared, or provided to third parties for any unrelated purpose, unless required by law or with explicit consent from the users. The Journal is committed to safeguarding user privacy and will handle all personal data in compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws.