What is a Conservation Project?

A "conservation project" is defined as "a set of strategies taken by a defined group of practitioners working to achieve specific conservation goals and objectives for a set of conservation targets." *


* This does not include Ecoregional Planning (ERA) efforts. Nor does it include individual "Real-Estate Transactions," such as those tracked in the Conservation Land System (CLS). We recommend capturing information for conservation projects where The Nature Conservancy is investing at least $5,000 per year in average annual operating costs (including staff salaries).

Here are some specific examples people have asked about:

1 - A GIS exercise to identify and prioritize important subwatersheds across a state?
No - this fits within the "setting goals & priorities" step of Conservation-by-Design that leads to the identification of priority places and important issues/opportunities for the launch of conservation projects of many types and scales.

2 - An experiment to restore fen characteristics by replicate beaver activity in a degraded fen at a portfolio site?
The project here is likely to be either the portfolio site (if TNC is working to achieve outcomes across the whole portfolio site) or the fen, if TNC is only focusing attention on the fen. If TNC is involved in some broad strategies affecting the whole Portfolio Site (addressing particular targets and threats) but has a substantial focus of attention on the fen (addressing fen-specific targets and threats) then there may be two conservation projects with the fen project nested under the "parent" portfolio site project.

3 - A combined planning/stewardship/experimental design project for landscape-scale restoration across multiple portfolio sites?
Like (2), the decision to include the restoration activities within the individual portfolio sites or as a separate multi-site project will depend on TNC's interest and involvement in other activities at the portfolio sites. From the brief description provided, this would fit within the scope of a single multi-site conservation project.

4 - A workshop to educate managers about proper road-stream crossing construction and maintenance?
No - this would be a specific action to achieve a stated objective within the scope of particular project.

5 - A paired watershed study in an agricultural portfolio site to examine the effects of conservation best management practices?
The project here is likely the agricultural portfolio site and the paired watershed study would be one of several actions likely taking place to conserve the site.

6 - A prescribed fire?
No - this would be a specific action to achieve a stated objective within the scope of a particular project.

7 - A GIS model to identify regionally important bird stopover sites within and outside of existing portfolio sites?
No - this fits within the "setting goals & priorities" step of Conservation-by-Design that leads to the identification of priority places and important issues/opportunities for the launch of conservation projects of many types and scales.

8 - A literature review to document and evaluate the effects of fire on conservation targets?
No - this work would be done in the context of addressing the needs of conservation targets located within a particular project or projects.

9 - A CAP? We are currently undergoing a rapid CAP process...do each one of these get entered?
Yes - the CAP should include a specific scope and target occurrences that defines the conservation project.

10 - A large scale dune restoration effort focusing on invasive species removal at a portfolio site?
No - this would be a specific action to achieve a stated objective within the scope of a broader project to conserve the portfolio site.