Photo Credit: CONAF
A. 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. Click here for presentation.
Bio: Cynthia Gill is the Director of USAID’s Office of Forestry and Biodiversity, overseeing the Agency’s over $210 million/year biodiversity conservation portfolio. She has worked at USAID for over 20 years, and was involved with the early development of the Open Standards. She has struggled with indicators and monitoring for nearly the full 20 years of time at USAID.
B. Using the Open Standards In US Fish & Wildlife Service Grants Programs
Matt Muir (FWS)
Abstract: Select programs within the US Fish & Wildlife Service use the Open Standards and other CMP tools to support species conservation. This presentation will showcase two examples of USFWS grants programs (WSFR State Wildlife Grants, and the International Affairs Central Africa Program) that have used the OS to build collaboration and a common language among partners and improve how all parties involved track conservation impact of USFWS investments. Presentation coming.
Bio: Dr. Matt Muir is a biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Division of International Conservation’s Africa Programs. When he is not chasing dragonflies with his camera, Matt tries to prevent species extinction due to wildlife trafficking and illegal hunting.
C. Using the Open Standards at Multiple Scales to Improve Puget Sound’s Recovery
Kari Stiles (Puget Sound Partnership)
Abstract: The Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) is the Washington State agency leading the effort to recover Puget Sound and achieve a “swimmable, fishable, drinkable, diggable” Sound by 2020. Formed in 2007, PSP is charged with coordinating and focusing the work of hundreds of partners – including federal, state, tribal and local governments and NGOs – to address ecosystem and pressure reduction priorities related to six goals: healthy habitats and species, water quality and quantity, and human health and wellbeing. Since 2009, PSP has been using the Open Standards to support development of common ecosystem priorities, pressure-reduction priorities, monitoring priorities and strategic action plans at multiple scales including the Puget Sound basin, salmon watersheds and local action areas. Click here for presentation.
Bio: Kari Stiles is a scientist with the Puget Sound Partnership, a state agency leading the recovery of Puget Sound. At the Partnership, Kari works on improving the incorporation of scientific information and scientifically rigorous processes in decision-making related to natural resource management and ecosystem recovery.
D. The Open Standards in Mongolia, Argentina and Colorado
Chris Pague (The Nature Conservancy)
Abstract: The Open Standards are being used throughout the world in many ways. Experiences in Mongolia, Argentina, and western Colorado provide lessons of the utility and some challenges. Primarily the tool has engaged the private and public sector in creating enhanced visions for success – but visions which are living and embraced because of the process. In the case of Mongolia, the country has decided that Open Standards is how they believe that protected areas planning can be successful. Mongolia has legislatively decided that implementation will happen at an unprecedented scale. In Argentina Open Standards are being used as the basis for planning at a regional scale. The objective of the regional planning is inform a transformational sustainable grazing program. This effort demonstrates how the tools within Open Standards are being used to advance planning. Finally, resource agencies in the western U. S., are challenged with capacity and multiple directions for resource planning. The CMP has been engaged with the Bureau of Land Management in trainings for use of the Open Standards in such planning. The outcomes are promising and creating some direction for widespread use. The use and development of Open Standards is proof how feedback from the field along with a cohesive partnership can advance natural resource planning in a way that also adapts to needs of various entities that use it and will see that the outcomes are successful. Click here for presentation.
Bio: Chris Pague is the Senior Conservation Ecologist in the Colorado Program of The Nature Conservancy. For 37 years he has been engaged in conservation work from research and inventory to planning and protection. He can be seen working primarily in Colorado but also in the grasslands and other aridlands of the world.
E. Summative Key Note
Shelley Metzenbaum (Volcker Alliance)
Bio: Shelley H. Metzenbaum is founding president of the Volcker Alliance, launched in May 2013 to rekindle intellectual, practical, and academic interest in the implementation of policy and to rebuild public trust in government. Previously she served as Associate Director for Performance and Personnel Management at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Her previous work includes serving as Associate Administrator for Regional Operations and State/Local Relations at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs in Massachusetts, and Director of Capital Budgeting in Massachusetts. Metzenbaum is an internationally recognized leader in public sector performance and evidence-based management. She ran the Environmental Compliance Consortium, housed at the University of Maryland, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Session on Public Sector Performance Management. Dr. Metzenbaum holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the Kennedy School.
