Failure to plan effectively for biodiversity conservation has led to irretrievable losses of ecosystem structure and function worldwide. In relatively intact systems, pro-actively plan for biodiversity conservation and for a sustainable use of natural resources is a must. The Boreal Avian Modelling (BAM) project and the Boreal Ecosystems Analysis for Conservation Networks (BEACONs) project provide models and tools for pro-active conservation and management of the largest remaining intact systems in the world, the Canadian boreal forest. Come and join Alberto Suarez-Esteban if you want to know more about these exciting initiatives