Photo Credit: Diane Detoeuf
A. Managing the Business of Conservation
Annette Stewart (Bush Heritage Australia)
Abstract: This Speed Presentation will outline how Bush Heritage Australia has achieved a step-change in efficiency and effectiveness, by using Miradi and Miradi Share to manage implementation of projects planned and adapted using the Open Standards. The Open Standards does a lot to make conservation practitioners more effective – guiding them in choosing the right targets, involving stakeholders, planning projects, and monitoring outcomes. We have built upon this and focussed on efficiency, particularly for the work of managers of practitioners, and for the broader business processes that support conservation activities. We’ll give examples of the processes and reports we use to help people who manage a portfolio of projects, including those involved in Fundraising, Financial Management, and Human Resource Management, all drawn from project data in Miradi. We’ve still got a long way to go, but we’ve made some big improvements and many of our partners are keen to build on them. Click here for presentation.
B. When To Evaluate? The Power, Potential and Pitfalls of Impact Evaluation in Conservation
Louise Glew (WWF-US), Madeleine Bottrill (CI)
Abstract: The conservation sector is on the verge of an evidence-revolution, with scholars and practitioners championing the need to build a robust evidence base to inform strategic decision making. Impact evaluation (IE), which measures the impacts caused by an intervention by creating real-world experiments, has emerged as a powerful tool for documenting the attributable ecological and social impacts of conservation interventions. IE insights can inform conservation policy and practice as well as, providing greater accountability to donors and stakeholders. IE is not appropriate everywhere. Decision makers need to know when IE should be used, how to interpret its findings, and when it should be avoided. Drawing from lessons learned to date in conservation and from other sectors, we highlight some key guidance for making these choices. Join us to discuss the development of IE guidance, tailored to the needs of conservation practitioners and decision-makers that would enable us to strategically evaluate our impact. Click here for presentation.
C. Cats and Dogs and Elephants Oh My! Applying the Open Standards to an Animal Welfare-Based Conservation Organization
Nathan Herschler (IFAW), Amielle DeWan (IFAW)
Abstract: How do you use the Open Standards to measure the impact of conservation projects on animal welfare outcomes? The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is an animal welfare-based conservation organization that works to protect a wide variety of endangered species as well as companion animals across the globe. In 2014, IFAW began the process of adopting the OS across all programs, from traditional elephant habitat protection to marine mammal stranding response and disaster relief for companion animals. Formalizing the OS approach across programs has surfaced a number of new and nuanced applications of each step from conceptualizing to monitoring and sharing results. Participants will learn how to incorporate animal welfare into a traditional OS process as well as identify new ways to think about how to measure impact on our conservation targets. Click here for presentation.
D. Amazon Measures
Paulina Arroyo (GBMF), Elizabeth O’Neill (GBMF)
Abstract: In 2013/2014, the Moore Foundation’s Andes-Amazon Initiative crafted a system for monitoring the progress and impact of the support it provides. Our aim was to devise a set of common measures across a large geography, a suite of broad place-based and thematic strategies, multiple countries, large grant portfolio, and array of partners. We think we’ve landed on an approach that could be adapted to many large, complex conservation programs. Join us to learn more about how we’re approaching measuring at scale, to share your experiences and innovations, doing same, and to provide feedback on our approach. Click here for presentation.
E. The Business of Conservation: Creating Impactful Conservation Programs
Anne Savage (Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment)
Abstract: The Walt Disney Company has a long-standing legacy to promote conservation. As our conservation efforts grow, we look to integrate more of our conservation work into strategic business priorities that result in measurable conservation outcomes for some of the world’s most endangered animals. We have embarked on a new initiative that works to reverse the decline of 10 species in the wild by partnering with key conservation organization to develop a conservation strategy that maximizes conservation outcomes and integrates the some of the expertise and resources found in The Walt Disney Company to save species. We are in the first year of working with key partners to develop conservation plans and we are very interested in examining how the various learning networks use the Open Standards and the resources presented to them to shape their conservation plans. Given the level of diversity in the organizations, composition of the teams, and familiarity and ease of using the Open Standards, we hope to analyze the process that each team uses to develop and implement their conservation strategy. Presentation coming.
F. Got Culture? Proposal for Addressing Cultural Identity in the Open Standards
Caroline Stem (FOS), Stuart Cowell (BH), Annette Stewart (BH), Nick Salafsky (FOS)
Abstract: CMP’s guidance on human wellbeing has helped many teams conceptualize and depict conservation-human wellbeing linkages. However, the guidance does not explicitly address “cultural targets.” This presentation shares an initial proposal from a CMP working group for how to better represent cultural aspects in OS steps. We hope to get user feedback to refine these ideas and provide insight on issues with which we have struggled. Click here for presentation.
G. Mainstreaming the METT
Bailey Evans (CI), Madeleine Bottrill (CI)
Abstract: Protected areas require effective management to conserve biodiversity and other natural values within their boundaries. In 2014, CI committed to measuring management effectiveness in all marine and terrestrial protected areas that they support and manage globally. Our field programs adopted the IUCN/WWF Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT), the global standard for ME measurement. With input from with other NGOs and government agencies, our program have assessed and established baseline scores for 180+ sites. The process has generated benefits, such as new data and regional analyses, and promoted dialogue with partners, yet also has had its challenges. In this bright spot, we will discuss the incentives and hurdles involved in mainstreaming such measures into institutional strategy and operations. We will also highlight a potential opportunity to connect CMP members to a global effort to consolidate and share ME guidance and datasets. Click here for presentation.
H. Value for Money in Conservation Programmes
Will Beale (WWF-UK)
Abstract: How do we respond to challenging questions about the impact and value for money of conservation programmes? Do we tend to put them in the ‘too difficult’ box or try to take them on? This presentation will share how WWF has used the energy and focus provided by these sorts of challenges to develop a coherent story on VfM and be perceived as making progress. Click here for presentation.
I. CCNet
Brad Northrup (CCNet), John Morrison (CCNet)
Abstract: The Conservation Coaches Network (CCNet) is now 5 years old and has grown to include over 400 active coaches, 13 Franchises, and 100 affiliated coach organizations around the world. This presentation provides an overview of what CCNet is and does – covering coach trainings, coach rallies, CCNet franchises and more. We will highlight CCNet’s current challenges and opportunities including our evolving formal relationship with CMP and use the discussion period to gain feedback and insights into these issues. More about CCNet here. Click here for presentation.
J. Step 4 in the Open Standards: Options for Analyzing Results
Christina Kakoyannis (NFWF), Annamarie Lopata (NFWF)
Abstract: Although many organizations are engaging in more thoughtful conservation planning, fewer organizations are able to close the Open Standards loop by evaluating conservation programs and projects. A survey of 29 implementing and funding organizations conducted for the 2010 CMP Measures Summit showed that only 5% of projects go through the full OS cycle. Although ~2,500 projects had good conservation plans, a much smaller subset (~350-500) had completed the cycle. In this Bright Spot presentation, we will speak about our experiences at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation moving through the entire cycle for our long-term conservation programs. In particular, we will focus three different options for walking through Step 4—Analyze, Use, and Adapt, depending on the decision-making needs and resource constraints. Click here for presentation.
K. Using Miradi Share for Program Level Adaptive Management
Nick Salafsky (FOS), Dan Salzer (TNC)
Abstract; Miradi Share is a new cloud-based software system that enables conservation practitioners, managers, and funders to design, manage, monitor, and learn from collections of related projects that make up a program. We will give a brief demonstration of Miradi Share’s current features and provide an overview of our development roadmap. If you use the Open Standards and Miradi, see how Miradi Share can take your work to higher level. Check out Miradishare.org
