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Conservation Action Planning. Conservation Strategies. Conservation Strategies. A conservation strategy is a broad course of action intended to achieve a specific objective (outcome) that abates a threat and/or enhances the viability of a conservation target.
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Conservation Action Planning Conservation Strategies
Conservation Strategies A conservation strategy is a broad course of action intended to achieve a specific objective (outcome) that abates a threat and/or enhances the viability of a conservation target.
Conservation Strategies – 3 “parts” • Objective (Outcome) • Strategic Actions • Action Steps
Objectives the outcomes you wish to achieve
Why do we do this? Objective!! This step shifts thinking from problem-centered to solution-focused
Conservation Objectives Each objective is designed to…… • Abate a critical threat and/or… • Enhance the viability of a target Each objective is linked to a Red or Yellow cell or cells in the Excel workbook
Threat Objective Objective: No golf courses on valley floor or perimeter in perpetuity Sierra Valley Threat Summary
Restoration Objective Objective: By 2025, ensure “Good” base flows in summer (Aug-Oct) so that no sections of river go dry Carson River Viability Summary
Use Key Attributes and Benchmarks to Set Viability Objectives Objective: 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
Sample Objectives By 2015, Ensure 10,000 acres of prairie dog complexes exist in the Chico Basin and are connected throughout the Chico Basin core area.
Sample Objectives Eliminate human disturbances (fishing, birding, jogging, dog walking) at key feeding locations (see map) during 4-week bird migration time period
Objectives - Be Specific!!! SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time Bound • What? • Where? • How much? • What time frame? All tied to specific threats….specific targets
Strategic Actions what you DO to achieve the outcome
Types of strategic action • Acquisition of interest in land or water • Protective Designation of land or water • Management of lands or waters • Restoration of lands or waters • Establishment of new policies
Types of Strategies (cont.) • Development of new land or water use activities that demonstrate more sustainable practices (Compatible Economic Development) • Establishment of new funding sources to accomplish additional conservation activities • Development of targeted information and education programs encouraging specific actions
Strategic Actions What to look for? Clarity and enough content that you can reasonably envision how…… if these actions are implemented….. substantive progress will be made toward yourobjective!
Action Steps The first things you will do to move forward… Detailed “tasks” vs. high-impact strategic actions
Illustrative Strategies Objectives, Strategic Actions and Action Steps
Any Questions? Strategy = Objective + Strategic Actions + Action Steps
1. Define your OBJECTIVEThe desired Outcome that will abate the critical threat at sufficient scale
2. “Probe” – Analyze the situation surrounding/driving the threat
Analyze the situation Why? • Evaluate the strategic importance of factors that are driving the threats • Identify key constituencies • Identify opportunities, not just problems • Find the logical points of intervention
Inquiring minds want to know... • Is there an underlying cause (driver) of the threat -- social, cultural, economic? • Who is involved? • What are their needs? • Who else is likely to be effected +/- ? • What motivates the key players? • Who will determine the outcome? • Etc.?
Three Magic Questions For Each Threat: • What is causing this threat to happen? • Who is involved -- directly or indirectly? • Why are they doing it? + a tip always capture your thinking in text or diagram
Situation Diagram Simple diagram A boxes and arrow diagram that helps capture your analysis Who is involved? Who else cares? What is causing this threat? Direct Threat Why? Target Dive Tour Boats Tourism Assoc No Moorings Offshore Reefs Anchor Damage
3. Brainstorm some possible strategic actions Hint: “Brainstorm” and “action” are the operative words
4. Evaluate Strategic Actions choosing from among the “brainstormed” options
Evaluating Strategic Actions • Benefits • Sufficiency towards achieving the threat abatement or target enhancement outcome • Duration of outcome • Leverage towards achieving another important outcome within the conservation area, or elsewhere • Feasibility • Lead individual/institution to implement strategy • Ability to motivate key constituencies • Some motivational “currencies” = easier, cheaper, recognition, fun • Degree of complexity/difficulty • Cost • Staffing & direct costs (one-time & recurring) • In discretionary dollars and human capital -- unrestricted funds and time that could be applied for some other purpose
Evaluating Strategic Actions The overall Strategy Opportunity Rank is a function of Benefits, Feasibility & Costs
Illustrative Strategy • Critical Threat • Invasive species destroying habitat • Objective: • Eliminate feral ungulates on 90% of mesic and wet forests within 10 years. • Strategic Actions: • Demonstrate success of removal techniques on lands of lead private landowner & state lands • Catalyze and support new Watershed Alliance involving all key landowners to develop a superb watershed management plan to abate threats at scale
With your strategic actions defined….. 5. Identify a few next “action steps” you can and will take and who will take them
One last thought… “If you get even two good objectives and a set of strategic actions for each that you can and will execute in five years, you will make reasonable progress.” Greg Low
Breakout - Strategies • Select a high or very high threat • Probe the situation that is underlying that threat • Develop 1 objective designed to abate the threat and/or restore the viability of a target that been affected by the threat • Determine 2 - 3 feasible strategic actions that will achieve the objective • You have two hours for this exercise Note. For this exercise we won’t have time to evaluate strategic actions or develop action steps.
Optional slides We have hidden some optional slides in the presentation. You may decide to unhide them or to replace other slides with them. And following are some slides you might want to exchange for others in the presentation
Sample Objectives When you have a lot of research-backed knowledge By 2025, ensure that base flows in summer (Aug-Oct) are not less than 65 CFS in dry years & 280 CFS in wet years; maintain the natural flow regime in other seasons.
Analysis of relationships between the targets and the human “environment” that can guide action What is a Situation Analysis? A good analysis does the following: • Provides a clear “picture” of the situation at the project site • Clarifies assumed linkages between your target, threat, and driving factors • Identifies the KEY stakeholders • Makes your thinking explicit • Guides the team to identify where action is needed and likely to have impact.