A theory of change to directly incentivize villages and others to reduce the threat of wildlife hunting and increase the populations of wildlife had assumptions and results tested over four years in Laos. The study provided evidence that the approach taken was successful and also provided ways to adapt management to achieve even better outcomes. Click here for a short video that puts the study into context. Results chain illustrating the theory of change for a direct payments model for wildlife-based ecotourism strategy. Abstract Ecotourism as a strategy for achieving…

Following on the success of the first edition of Project Management for Wildlife Conservation, WildTeam has released an updated version 2.0, which is available here. WildTeam – a not for profit with the aim of protecting the rapidly disappearing natural assets of Bangladesh – created an OS inspired approach called Project Management for Wildlife Conservation to aid the administrative and workflow aspects of implementing good project management. The approach includes a comprehensive, step-by-step manual for project management, plus associated tools and support templates. The link to the folders containing all the original resources is: PMWC manual v1.0 and the associated…

Following on the success of the first edition of Project Management for Wildlife Conservation, WildTeam has released an updated version 2.0, which is available here. WildTeam – a not for profit with the aim of protecting the rapidly disappearing natural assets of Bangladesh – created an OS inspired approach called Project Management for Wildlife Conservation to aid the administrative and workflow aspects of implementing good project management. The approach includes a comprehensive, step-by-step manual for project management, plus associated tools and support templates. The link to the folders containing all the original resources is: PMWC manual v1.0 and the associated…

This external assessment, commissioned by FOS, provides insight into what the Conservation Standards community needs to do their work better. The intent was to assess how FOS is doing on its Communications and Research, Development, and Innovation strategies. In particular, FOS wanted to understand if the Conservation Standards community was using (and finding valuable) FOS (co)authored materials, what key products the community needs, and what the best ways to reach this audience is. The results are relevant to CMP, CCNet, and all of our members. CItation: Cochrane, Erica. 2019. Survey Report: Products to Support the Open Standards.

This document provides a very good example of a simple approach to using results chains as a framework for a participatory, theory-based evaluation. WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and FOS (Foundations of Success) developed draft results chains retrospectively to describe the theories of change behind each of WCS’ strategies and then worked with the project team to refine the results chains and rate progress to date toward specific results, using qualitative ratings (3 = a lot of progress; 2 = some progress; 1 = little progress; 0 = no progress; -1 = negative impact). The team then discussed whether it made…

IFAW (The International Fund for Animal Welfare) has developed a comprehensive guide to the the first four steps of the Open Standards.  It takes a simple and clear approach that is based in classroom teaching Whilst it is focused quite closely on IFAW’s needs, it has wide applicability and many valuable hints to successfully completing each step.   Testing assumptions and adapting actions Citation: DeWan, A., and Lentz, H. 2016. IFAW Open Standards: Guide for Learning and Implementation. International Fund for Animal Welfare, Yarmouth Port, MA.

Filled with many handy hints and alternative approaches to steps and aspects of the Open Standards, this toolkit is a very valuable resource.  The document provides approaches to conducting workshops, resolving the OS steps, checking whether you have been thorough and providing worksheets. Many folks will find that copying out proformas, or using the options outlined will make the OS approach really come to life. Citation: Audubon (2011). Tools of Engagement: A Toolkit for Engaging People in Conservation, National Audubon Society, Washington, D.C.