Photo Credit: Peter Chira
Initiatives
Innovation within CMP happens through our initiatives, guided by the dedication, expertise, and collective wisdom of our members. Explore below to learn about these initiatives and browse member videos and presentations from working sessions and retreats.
Photo Credit: Gregoire Dubois
Conservation Actions and Measures Library (CAML)
The Conservation Actions and Measures Library (CAML) is an open-source library of Miradi results chains for the most common conservation actions. CAML is based on the idea that we can be more efficient and effective by learning from one another. CAML entries are organized by the IUCN-CMP classification of conservation actions and contain generic results chains, as well as standard objectives and indicators. These serve as starting points for teams to develop specific results chains for their conservation programs. They can also form the basis for selecting common indicators to assess action effectiveness.
The CMP Audits Initiative
The goal of conservation auditing is to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes by helping projects to determine how to improve their design and adaptive management practice. The audit process itself and resulting products provide project teams and management with impartial and valuable feedback. The transparent nature of audit processes also can demonstrate the credibility of best practice and related results to funders, more distant actors, and the public.
Retreats and Technical Meetings

Photo Credit: Brenda Van Sleeuwen
Every other year, CMP hosts in-person members’ meetings to share experiences, challenges, and innovations and to advance new and ongoing work. Click here to learn more.
Meeting Notes and Materials
2019 (May): Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
2017 (January): Yulee, FL (White Oak Conservation Center)
2014 (October): Washington, DC (WWF US)
- Detailed Agenda
- Meeting notes
- Breakout Sessions – Abstracts and Presentations
- Plenary Showcase – Abstracts and presentations from 2014
2010 and 2011: Measures Summits
2014 Bright Spots Presentations
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
2014 Government Showcase
USAID’s Growing Use of the Open Standards Cynthia Gill (USAID Office of Forestry and Biodiversity) Abstract: USAID has drawn heavily on the Open Standards and is applying key principles of them in program design and implementation. USAID is intensively applying the approach to a number of significant biodiversity portfolios in the field. At the same time, the Agency is looking at how to apply the approach more broadly to other development sectors and how to scale up in conservation.
2014 Initiatives Sessions
Introducing the Mira App: Quick, Take a Picture! Laura Geiger, Lydia Gaskell (WWF) Abstract: Every conservationist has experienced this: the sudden discovery of something in the middle of nowhere. That discovery, that knowledge is part of a bigger picture that could make or break a conservation plan. The Mira App, which follows the mapping scheme of the Open Standards and the Miradi software, wants to help field workers – from advanced techies to newbies – efficiently record and monitor the threats, risks, and successes in an ecosystem for a more evidenced-based conservation planning
Measures Summits
Over the past few years, there have been advances in measuring the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation projects, programs, and organizations. There is still, however, a major gap between the rhetoric of organizations, including funders, around the desirability of measuring conservation effectiveness, versus the reality of actually adopting and implementing specific and transparent systems that allow us to improve our collective work.
Support CMP
CMP is a partnership of conservation-oriented NGOs, government agencies, and funders that works collectively to achieve greater impact. We seek better ways to design, manage, and measure the impacts of our conservation actions so that we can learn and improve our efforts and contribute our learning to the broader evidence base.
Photo Credit: Jason Houston
Download CS
The Conservation Standards is the product of inputs, field tests, and discussions among members of the Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP), which has final editorial authority over the Conservation Standards. Substantial input was also provided by members of the Conservation Coaches Network (CCNet) and other CMP partners.
Photo Credit: Felix Cybulla
Our Collaborators
Every organization, agency, project, and individual has its own preferred set of terms. There is no right answer – the most important thing is that the members of your project team and the people with whom you work have a clear and common understanding of whatever terms you choose to use.
Photo Credit: Chris Scarffe
Contact CMP
To inquire about supporting The Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) or for general inquiries, please contact us at CMPinfo@ConservationMeasures.org
Photo Credit: Felix Cybulla