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.

This is a very valuable guide to integrating the Open Standards into the fabric of how conservation organizations do business. If we want to improve the effectiveness of our organizations and be able to make data-informed investment decisions, then we need to be able to connect the information generated using the Open Standards – about what we are conserving, how these ecosystems and species are doing, the threats they are facing, and the effectiveness of our strategies – with our organizations’ information about fundraising, finances, and human resources. Stewart outlines how to systematize the flow of information between these different…

This excellent, thorough, evidence-based application of Steps 1 and 2 of the Open Standards applies to a small wildlife refuge in the United States – the Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge. Each step in the process is clearly explained with available literature and data used to support key decisions throughout the planning process. It may be most relevant as an example for government agencies that are legally required to thoroughly document their management decisions. Because the US Fish and Wildlife has a separate work plan, this is not included. There is also no explanation of how the refuge will practice…