2A. Develop a Formal Action Plan: Goals and Objectives

1. Conservation Coaches Network Workshop Presentation 2A. Develop a Formal Action Plan: Goals and Objectives

2. Adaptive Management Workshop Presentations 1A-1B. Team, Scope, Vision 1B. Conservation Targets 1B. Viability Assessment 2A-1. Strategy Selection 2A-2. Results Chains 2A-3. Goals and Objectives 1C. Threat Rating 1D. Conceptual Models 2B. Monitoring Plan

3. Plan Your Actions & Monitoring Goals & Objectives

4. This Presentation Goals & Objectives • What is a goal? • How to define goals • What are objectives? • How to define objectives • How to determine if strategies (with results chains and objectives) are sufficient to achieve goals

5. What is a Goal? Goals & Objectives Goal: A formal statement detailing a desired impact of a project, such as the desired future status of a target.

6. Criteria for Goals Goals & Objectives A Good Goal Meets the Criteria: Linked to targets: Directly associated with one or more of your conservation targets. Should be phrased in terms of the Key Ecological Attribute(s) of the target that you are trying to conserve • Size – Geographic extent (ecosystem or habitat); Abundance &/or demographics of the population/community (species) • Condition – Composition, structure, & biotic interactions • Landscape Context – Landscape-scale ecological processes, adjacency and connectivity

7. Criteria for Goals Goals & Objectives Impactoriented:Represents the desired future status of the conservation target over the long-term. A preview of Results Chains:

8. Criteria for Goals Goals & Objectives Time Limited: Achievable within a specific period of time, generally 10 or more years. Measurable:Definable in relation to some standard scale (numbers, percentage, fractions, or all/nothing states). Specific: Clearly defined so that all people involved in the project have the same understanding of what the terms in the goal mean.

9. This Presentation Goals & Objectives • What is a goal? • How to define goals • What are objectives? • How to define objectives • How to determine if strategies (with results chains and objectives) are sufficient to achieve goals

10. How to Define Goals Goals & Objectives • Choose a conservation target • Select key ecological attributes of the target to represent in the goal • Write a draft description of the future desired condition of the target • Apply criteria • Modify the goal as needed • Analyze whether all relevant strategies / results chains should be sufficient to achieve the goal

11. Our Example – Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands Goals & Objectives Adapted from WWF Australia’s WetlandsWatchProject

12. 1. Choose a Conservation Target Goals & Objectives Seasonally Flooded Wetlands

13. 2. Select Key Ecological Attributes of the Target to Represent in the Goal Goals & Objectives From the Viability Assessment…

14. 2. Select Key Ecological Attributes of the Target to Represent in the Goal Goals & Objectives From the Viability Assessment…

15. 2. Select Key Ecological Attributes of the Target to Represent in the Goal Goals & Objectives • Target:Seasonally flooded wetlands • Key Ecological Attributes: • Area • Water level fluctuations

16. 3. Write a Draft Goal Goals & Objectives • Target:Seasonally flooded wetlands • Key Ecological Attributes: • Area • Water level fluctuations • Draft Goal: By 2025, the area of seasonally flooded wetlands are restored to historic levels

17. Criteria: Linked to target? Impact-oriented? Time-bound? Specific? Measurable? 4. Apply Criteria Goals & Objectives • Target:Seasonally flooded wetlands • Key Ecological Attributes: • Area • Water level fluctuations • Draft Goal: By 2025, the area of seasonally flooded wetlands are restored to historic levels

18. Criteria: Linked to target? Impact-oriented? Time-bound? Specific? Measurable? 5. Modify the Goal as Needed Goals & Objectives • Target:Seasonally flooded wetlands • Key Ecological Attributes: • Area • Water level fluctuations • Draft Goal: By 2025, the area of seasonally flooded wetlands are restored to historic levels • Modified Goal:

19. Criteria: Linked to target? Impact-oriented? Time-bound? Specific? Measurable? 5. Modify the Goal as Needed Goals & Objectives • Target:Seasonally flooded wetlands • Key Ecological Attributes: • Area • Water level fluctuations • Draft Goal: By 2025, the area of seasonally flooded wetlands are restored to historic levels Modified Goal: By 2025, there are at least 2,100 ha. of seasonally flooded wetlands with good annual water level fluctuations and representative native species.

20. Final Goal Goals & Objectives • By 2025, at least 2,100 ha of high conservation value* wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain maintain a “good” hydroperiod** and contain viable populations of key native flora and fauna, as listed by the Department of Environment and Conservation. * High conservation value wetlands = wetlands assigned ‘Conservation’ management category by the Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia.** “Good” hydroperiod is defined as 12-16 weeks in fully flooded condition and no more than 16 weeks in completely dry condition (no standing water)

21. Goals in Miradi Goals & Objectives

22. Example of a Goal Goals & Objectives Goal: By 2025, ensure “Good” base flows in summer (Aug-Oct) so that no sections of river go dry (~50 to 75 CFS in dry years) Key Attribute = Hydrologic regime

23. Careful…A Goal is NOT a Threat Reduction Objective Goals & Objectives Conservation target: Seasonally flooded wetlands Goal:By 2025…high conservation value* wetlands… Threat to target: Clearing for residential development and infrastructure Threat reduction objective: Beginning in 2012, there is no further clearing of high conservation value wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain.

24. Example Goal Goals & Objectives • Target: Coral Reefs • Goal: By 2025, at least 80% of the coral reef habitat in the northern bioregion will have live coral coverage of at least 20% and will contain healthy populations of key species* * Healthy populations of species at the top of the food chain, such as sharks, and an abundance of other key species, such as parrot fish and spiny lobster. Whether a population is “healthy” will be based on the latest scientific understanding. See viability assessment for population numbers for different species.

25. Example Goal Goals & Objectives • Target: Montane forest (in Eastern Arcs) • Goal: By 2017, 100% of remaining montane forest* is effectively conserved** and connectivity among major forest patches*** is created. * Based on baseline data from 1999 -2003 (total is around 2,000,529 ha) ** Effectively conserved = Intact tree canopy with full set of species including representative endemic species *** Ulugurus (Bunduki, Kitumbaku Hills), East Usambaras (Derema, Nilo-Kambai/Segoma), Udzungwa (Scarp to Matundu/Iyonde)

26. Which of theFollowingComplywiththeCriteriafor a GoodGoal? Goals & Objectives • In 10 years, eliminate mangrove harvesting in all of Ban Don Bay, Thailand. • By 2022, more than 80 pairs of quetzales will successfully nest and reproduce each year in the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve. • Within 12 years of the start of the project, Katani Nature Preserve will serve as an effective ecological corridor for tigers traveling between Karimara and Sulaken National Parks. • By 2015, the population of Golden Lion Tamarins has increased.

27. This Presentation Goals & Objectives • What is a goal? • How to define goals • What are objectives? • How to define objectives • How to determine if strategies (with results chains and objectives) are sufficient to achieve goals

28. Develop Your Objectives Goals & Objectives Objective: A formal statement detailing a desired outcome of a project such as reducing a critical threat. A good objective should meet the following criteria: Outcome Oriented:Specifies necessary changes in critical threats and other factors that affect one or more project goals

29. What Does Outcome Oriented Mean? Goals & Objectives A basic results chain:

30. Develop Your Objectives Goals & Objectives Specific: Clearly defined so that all people involved in the project have the same understanding of what the terms in the objective mean. Measurable: Definable in relation to some standard scale (numbers, percentage, fractions, or all/nothing states). Time Limited: Achievable within a specific period of time. (Necessarily less than the timeframe of the associated goal.) Practical: Achievable and appropriate within the context of the project.

31. This Presentation Goals & Objectives • What is a goal? • How to define goals • What are objectives? • How to define objectives • How to determine if strategies (with results chains and objectives) are sufficient to achieve goals

32. How Do You Write a Good Objective? Goals & Objectives • Select a result in your results chain where you want an objective • Write a draft objective for that result Draft 1: “More landowners are implementing BMPs on their properties” • Apply the criteria to modify and refine your draft objective - Outcome oriented - Specific - Measureable - Time limited - Practical Landowners implement best mgmt practices

33. How Do You Write a Good Objective? Goals & Objectives • Apply the criteria to modify and refine your draft objective Draft 2: “By 2022, at least 75% of landowners are implementing BMPs on their properties” Draft 3: “By 2022, at least 75% of those landowners informed about best management practices are implementing at least two BMPs on their properties”

34. Develop Your Objectives Goals & Objectives OBJ. C1: By 2015 and thereafter, no new invasive plant species are detected in the Eucalyptus-Melaleuca woodlands and seasonally flooded wetlands OBJ. B: By 2011, there are no more than 10 infractions issued annually against landowners in the Swan Coastal Plain for illegal clearing of vegetation OBJ. C2: By 2015 and thereafter, at least 90% of Eucalyptus-Melaleuca woodlands and 75% of the seasonally-flooded wetlands remain invasives-free OBJ. A: By 2013, none of the landowners in the Swan Coastal Plain are creating fire breaks as part of their vegetation management regime

35. Objectives in Miradi Goals & Objectives

36. Which of TheseComplywiththeCriteriafor a GoodObjective? Goals & Objectives • By 2010, no water concessions are granted in identified critical grasslands and associated wetlands. • Promote community wellbeing and health in the area surrounding the Indah Biosphere Reserve. • To establish a sustainable enterprise-based conservation and development project that meets the needs of local people while protecting biodiversity in the region surrounding Indah Biosphere Reserve. • By the end of the project, annual household income for all families participating in non-timber forest product harvesting enterprises has increased by at least 20%.

37. Real World Examples of Objectives Goals & Objectives OBJ. A4: During next cycle, stormwater plans are updated to reflect findings from the pollutant monitoring strategy OBJ. A1: At least once/year starting in 2008, SLOSEA provides a synthesis of pollutant data to public and policy makers OBJ. HF2: By 2012, at least 80% of samples over entire scope meet updated State and Federal water quality standards of nitrates, nonylphenols, and other potential pollutants OBJ. A2: By 2011, permits for NPDES include limits for nonylphenol Adapted from SLOSEA 2008, Morro Bay, California

38. Real World Examples of Objectives Goals & Objectives OBJ.: By 2012, 60% of American population understands the need for ecological fire management (including rxfire, thinning, letting natural fires burn) OBJ.: By 2015 Congress and agency leadership allocate $705 million/year for restoration of fire-adapted ecosystems OBJ.: By 2015, 2.78 million acres in WUI treated annually by federal agencies Adapted from TNC Global Fire Initiative 2008, USA

39. This Presentation Goals & Objectives • What is a goal? • How to define goals • What are objectives? • How to define objectives • How to determine if strategies (with results chains and objectives) are sufficient to achieve goals

40. Determining If Strategies Are Sufficient to Achieve Goal Goals & Objectives • Build a high-level results chain including: • A target and its goal(s) • All relevant threat reduction results • Viability results (optional) • All relevant strategies • For each strategy, 1-2 major intermediate results • Analyze whether all strategies, with their associated major results / objectives, will be sufficient to achieve the goal

41. Determining If Strategies Are Sufficient to Achieve Goal Goals & Objectives Goal: By 2025, at least 2,100 ha of high conservation value* wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain maintain a “good” hydroperiod… Viability results (optional) are included to clarify which strategies contribute to which aspects of viability

42. Determining If Strategies Are Sufficient to Achieve Goal Goals & Objectives

43. Determining If Strategies Are Sufficient to Achieve Goal Goals & Objectives

44. Determining If Strategies Are Sufficient to Achieve Goal Goals & Objectives Sufficient? Goal: By 2025, at least 2,100 ha of high conservation value* wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain maintain a “good” hydroperiod… Include strategies that other organizations are implementing

45. Key Points Goals & Objectives Conservation strategies are a group of actions designed to enhance viability of a target (GOAL) and/or abate a critical threat (OBJECTIVE). Goals & Objectives – What you want to accomplish Strategies –How you are going to get there A threat reduction objective is not a goal. Objectives should be specific, measurable, time Limited, and practical. Be relatively sure that your strategies are really sufficient to achieve your objective/goal.