Conservation Action Planning 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? This step shifts thinking from problem-centered to solution-focused Objective! !

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

Objective: No golf courses on valley floor or perimeter in perpetuity Threat Objective Sierra Valley Threat Summary

Objective: By 2025, ensure “Good” base flows in summer (Aug-Oct) so that no sections of river go dry Restoration Objective Carson River Viability Summary

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 Use Key Attributes and Benchmarks to Set Viability Objectives

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!!! What? Where? How much? What time frame? All tied to specific threats….specific targets SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time Bound

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

Acquisition of Interests in Land & Water Land Acquisition Easements/Covenants Conservation Buyers Purchase of Development Rights Purchase of Water Rights “For Sale” Direct Protection

Adaptive Management of Land & Water Fire Management Exotic Species Control Water Management Ecological Restoration Influencing and supporting Land Management Strategies on Public or Private Lands Direct Protection

Public Policy Secure major public funding for conservation or restoration Influence laws, policy or programs to address critical threats TNC’s approach in policy arena… – Non-confrontational, solution-oriented – Provide good information to decision-makers Scientific, economic, technical – Demonstrate alternatives & build public support

Compatible Development Develop, demonstrate & disseminate a compatible use of land, water or natural resources to address a critical threat – Both economically and environmentally sound May also build support for a policy or other conservation strategy

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 your objective!

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

Sample Restoration Strategy Objective4.Within five years replace 20 % of the lost mangrove population Strategic action4.1. Establish a replanting program. Action step # Collect seedlings Action step # Cultivate plants Action step # Organize volunteers Action step # Site preparation Action step # Plant them

Sample Strategy ObjectiveBy 2010, Prevent introduction and establishment of any new non- native, invasive species to Bay waters. Also, mitigate and slow the spread of harmful invasive species in the Bay waters and tributaries Strategic action Create mechanisms (MOUs, funding, etc.) for regional coordination and cooperation on approaches to develop early detection and prevention programs for Bay through active participation in the Chesapeake Bay Program Exotic Species Task Force. Action step #1Determine what Bay Exotic Species Task Force had done to date. Action step #2Determine who from each of the key states needs to be involved with the task force Strategic action Work with state Invasive Species Councils to determine scope of the current invasive species problem in the Chesapeake Bay. Action step #1Research existing data to demonstrate potential economic and ecological threats

Any Questions? Strategy = Objective + Strategic Actions + Action Steps

Steps in developing a Strategic Approach to abate a threat

Start with a critical threat

1. Define your OBJECTIVE The 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

Ask and discuss your answers to “Probing Questions”

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

Simple diagram No Moorings Dive Tour Boats Offshore Reefs Anchor Damage Tourism Assoc Direct Threat What is causing this threat? Who is involved? Who else cares? Why? Target A boxes and arrow diagram that helps capture your analysis Situation Diagram

Situation diagram A boxes and arrow diagram that helps capture your analysis

3. Brainstorm some possible strategic actions Hint: “Brainstorm” and “action” are the operative words

Three “Pathways” for Developing Strategic Actions Does abating the threat require influencing a key decision-maker or decision-making body? Direct Protection or Management “Pressure Point” Underlying Factor Does abating the threat require direct protection or ecological management of land or water? Does abating the threat require addressing some key underlying factor related to the threat? Implement prescribed burning Amend state law that restricts burning Provide burn insurance to private landowners

Consumnes River

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

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 Illustrative Strategy

Sample Objective By 2012 ， purify water quality of stream to keep it clean as those measured in 1990 Strategic action By 2010, install two waste water treatment systems to treat water before discharging into stream; Strategic action Create water monitoring system to record the water quality periodically; Strategic action Distribute promotion brochures to prohibit tourists from littering rubbish everywhere at the reserve ； Strategic action Develop water management regulations to guide water utilization for reserve and local communities;

With your strategic actions defined….. 5. Identify a few next “action steps” you can and will take and who will take them

Sample Strategy ObjectiveBy 2013, secure at least 80% of remaining mile buffer around protected areas in land-use compatible with conservation management. Strategic actionCreate preserve buffers around each conservation site. Action step #1Develop criteria for selecting fire management buffers Action step #2Develop presentation for executive committee, consider workshop format Action step #3Identify approaches (e.g. acquiring easements) for securing buffers around conservation areas Action step #4Indentify Division of State Land contacts Action step #6Indentify landowners within buffer

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 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.

What is a Situation Analysis? A good analysis does the following: 1.Provides a clear “picture” of the situation at the project site 2.Clarifies assumed linkages between your target, threat, and driving factors 3.Identifies the KEY stakeholders 4.Makes your thinking explicit 5.Guides the team to identify where action is needed and likely to have impact. Analysis of relationships between the targets and the human “environment” that can guide action