Examples &

Resources
Lighter Approaches to
the Conservation Standards

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This document contains examples and resources related to key Conservation Standards
processes. It is a “living document” that will be updated periodically as new materials become
available. Teams could use examples, resources, and templates as a starting point and adapt
them to their own needs. The Conservation Standards community is encouraged to reach out
to [email protected] with new examples and materials. When you send
your example, please note for which substep it is most relevant. This is a collaborative
resource that aims to foster sharing and learning across the community.

Lighter CS Suite of Tools

Lighter Approaches to the Lighter Conservation Examples & Resources

Conservation Standards Standards Scenarios (this tool)
Cookbook

Please keep in mind that this document is under construction. Please ignore the
mess. We feel it is important to share these resources sooner rather than later,
and in spite of the messy appearance. Check back regularly for updates!
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Table of Contents
General Resources 1
Conservation Standards Resource Library 1
Other General Resources 1

Step 1. Assess 3
Scope and Targets 3
1. TIER PRIORITIZATION 3
2. CLUMPING EXERCISES 3
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 3
Target Viability 3
1. DRAW FROM EXAMPLES 4
2. USE EXISTING EVIDENCE 4
3. USE SIMPLE VIABILITY RATING 4
Threat Assessment 4
1. THREAT-TARGET RATINGS 4
2. THREAT ASSESSMENT FOR WHOLE SCOPE 4
3. INFORMAL THREAT ASSESSMENT 5
Situation Analysis 5
1. USE EXISTING EVIDENCE 5
2. CONDUCT NEW STUDIES 5
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 5
Situation Model 5
1. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES 6
2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS 6
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 6

Step 2. Plan 7
SMART Goals 7
1. USE VIABILITY ASSESSMENT 7
2. DRAW FROM EXISTING GOALS 7
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 7
Strategy Identification 7
1. DRAW FROM GENERIC STRATEGIES 7
2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS 7
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 7
Strategy Prioritization 8
1. ABSOLUTE RATING / RELATIVE RANKING 8
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2. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT 8
3. VOTING EXERCISE 8
Theories of Change 8
1. DRAW FROM GENERIC RESULTS CHAINS 9
2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS 9
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 9
SMART Objectives 9
1. USE THEORY OF CHANGE 9
2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS 9
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 9
Indicators 9
1. REVIEW GENERIC INDICATORS 10
2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS 10
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 10
Monitoring Plan 10
1. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES 10
2. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 10
Operational Plan - Coming soon 10
1. OPTION 1 11
2. OPTION 2 11
3. OPTION 3 11

Step 3. Implement 11
Work Plan 11
1. FOCUS ON STRATEGIES OR MAJOR ACTIVITIES 11
2. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES 11
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 11
Budget 11
1. FOCUS ON STRATEGIES OR MAJOR ACTIVITIES 12
2. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES 12
3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE 12

Step 4. Analyze & Adapt 13

Data Analysis 13
1. DETAILED ASSESSMENT 13
2. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT 13
● TBD ¡Error! Marcador no definido.
3. VOTING EXERCISE 13
Adaptation 13
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1. ANNOTATE DIAGRAMS 13
2. ADAPTATION RECORD 13
3. UPDATE PLAN(S) 14

Step 5. Share 14
Learning Outputs 14
1. SET UP A LEARNING JOURNAL 14
2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS 14
3. CONDUCT A LEARNING DEBRIEF 14
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General Resources
Conservation Standards Resource Library
The Conservation Standards Resource Library includes a
wealth of resources (guidance, examples, tools) on a
variety of steps in the Conservation Standards. Much of
this has been vetted by a cross-organizational committee
so that CS users can easily find the highest-quality
resources for their needs.

To find a resource:
● Visit https://conservationstandards.org/resources/
● Use the filters on the left-hand side to filter
according to your needs. Filters include:
○ Type of resource
○ CS Steps
○ Vetting rating
○ Language
○ Media
○ Geography
● You can also use the search box to type in key
terms

Other General Resources

● Miradi Software - software (online and desktop) designed specifically to support many
steps of the Conservation Standards. Miradi uses multiple analysis tools, data views,
reports, and common examples from conservation to help conservation teams practice
good, evidence-based conservation. Where relevant, the sections below highlight
particularly useful Miradi tools.
● Conservation Standards (CS) Adoption Information Hubs and Resources - high-level
list of CS resources organized by user roles and interests. This list was put together by
the Conservation Standards Adoption Initiative with the intent to help existing and
potential CS users sort through the various resource types and locations. It includes

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resources oriented toward generating interest in the CS, supporting organizational CS

adoption, and/or providing teams access to technical guidance and support.
● See also resources CCNet is compiling for coaches; see also coaches notebook
● Planning for Conservation: A Conservation Standards How-To Guide References - a list
of references from FOS’s Planning for Conservation: A Conservation Standards How-To
Guide. Includes how-to guidance, as well as academic references associated with the
first two steps of the Conservation Standards.
● Rapid Conservation Action Planning (CAP) Guidance - CAP was the process that the
Nature Conservancy used for many years, prior to adopting the Conservation
Standards and, more recently, Conservation by Design. Many of the CAP steps and
tools can be found in the Conservation Standards. This 2006 document summarizes
TNC’s perspective on how to take a lighter approach to CAP and provides a
complementary view on lighter approaches.

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Step 1. Assess

Scope and Targets

General resources in Conservation Standards Resource Library (to be added)

1. TIER PRIORITIZATION
● TBD

2. CLUMPING EXERCISES
● Conservation of Biodiversity in the Hudson River Estuary – The Process (2005) - though
the report is outdated, pages 8-9 have a detailed description of an interactive exercise
to help large groups efficiently identify and come to consensus on a limited number of
conservation targets.
● Picture of a sticky board used for clumping targets TBD - Ash

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

Target Viability
● Miradi Software - online and desktop options for filling out viability information. Can
calculate overall viability of each conservation target. Offers both simple and key
ecological attribute options.
● Viability brainstorming whiteboard example - Miro whiteboard with instructions, blank
template, and real-world examples with identifying information stripped out. This shows
how you can help teams brainstorm and prioritize KEAs before they move them into
Miradi or a spreadsheet. This can help reduce some complexity and messiness.
● Viability Google worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to simultaneously
collaborate on viability. If using Miradi for other project aspects, it is useful to transfer
over your final decisions to your Miradi file.
● Information needs worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to record information
needs as they arise. Separated out by different types of information needs and includes
fields to determine how important it is to address the information need now or in the
future and what management decisions you would make by answering the information
need.

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1. DRAW FROM EXAMPLES

● Miradi Share - search publicly available projects with the same or similar targets to look
at their viability. A limitation here is that many teams do not make their files publicly
available, so this approach may produce limited results. (Perhaps this will motivate you
to make your files on Miradi Share public?)
● Generic viability KEAs - a rough sketch with ideas of how to frame KEAs, indicators,
and ratings for ecosystem and species KEAs. While quite old, much information here is
still relevant. It would make a great project for someone interested in building this out
more!

2. USE EXISTING EVIDENCE

● TBD

3. USE SIMPLE VIABILITY RATING

● TBD

Threat Assessment
As needed, consult the CMP Direct Threat Classification for identifying potential threats

● Information needs worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to record information

needs as they arise. Separated out by different types of information needs and includes
fields to determine how important it is to address the information need now or in the
future and what management decisions you would make by answering the information
need.

1. THREAT-TARGET RATINGS
● Miradi Software - online and desktop options for completing threat-target ratings.
Miradi will calculate overall ratings for both threats and targets (i.e., how threatened a
target is).
● Threat-target ratings worksheet - Online spreadsheet that mimics threat-target pair
rating process that Miradi supports. This is best for remote facilitation where everyone
needs easy access to the rating spreadsheet. Note important caveats so you do not
inadvertently mess up ratings.
● Roll-up rules - document that explains how Miradi and above Google sheet calculate
threat-target ratings and summaries across targets and threats

2. THREAT ASSESSMENT FOR WHOLE SCOPE

Templates for:
● Relative ranking - spreadsheet for ranking threats relative to one another across your
whole project scope (not threat-target pairs)

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● Absolute rating - spreadsheet for rating threats (absolute scale) across your whole
project scope (not threat-target pairs)

3. INFORMAL THREAT ASSESSMENT

● TNC New Mexico = gut voting (TBD, Caroline)

Situation Analysis
● Information needs worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to record information
needs as they arise. Separated out by different types of information needs and includes
fields to determine how important it is to address the information need now or in the
future and what management decisions you would make by answering the information
need.

1. USE EXISTING EVIDENCE

● Situation analysis evidence worksheet - Google spreadsheet for summarizing evidence
from existing studies and documents about your geographic scope, conservation
targets, human wellbeing targets, threats and contributing factors. Gathering and
documenting this evidence serves as an initial a situation analysis and the information
can be used to develop a draft situation model.
● TBD

2. CONDUCT NEW STUDIES

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD
● Topic Guide for Situation Model Consultations - Google spreadsheet that provides a
series of questions with clear explanations for each step in conducting a situation
analysis and developing a situation model. Users can tailor the questions as they see fit
to help guide consultations with key people, then capture responses directly in the
spreadsheet. Responses can be quickly and easily analyzed and consolidated into a
draft situation model.

Situation Model
As needed, consult the CMP Direct Threat Classification for identifying potential threats

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● Miradi Software - online and desktop options for diagramming situation models.
Because Miradi also acts as a relational database, your viability and threat assessment
information (and any other diagram-relevant information) will be automatically linked.
● Information needs worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to record information
needs as they arise. Separated out by different types of information needs and includes
fields to determine how important it is to address the information need now or in the
future and what management decisions you would make by answering the information
need.

1. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES

● Building blocks for constructing climate-resilient situation models - This resource
includes portions of generic situation models that coaches and teams can use as
building blocks when developing a situation model that incorporates how climate
change is currently affecting or is projected to affect conservation targets (i.e., a
“climate-resilient situation model”). The building blocks are generic and the team will
need to determine which ones apply to their situation and tailor them to their site.

2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS

● Resource reference list - TBD
● Situation analysis evidence worksheet - Google spreadsheet for summarizing evidence
from existing studies and documents about your geographic scope, conservation
targets, human wellbeing targets, threats and contributing factors. Gathering and
documenting this evidence serves as an initial situation analysis and the information
can be used to develop a draft situation model.
● Miro or Google sheets for commenting

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● Topic Guide for Situation Model Consultations - Google spreadsheet that provides a
series of questions with clear explanations for each step in conducting a situation
analysis and developing a situation model. Users can tailor the questions as they see fit
to help guide consultations with key people, then capture responses directly in the
spreadsheet. Responses can be quickly and easily analyzed and consolidated into a
draft situation model.

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Step 2. Plan
Find in-depth resources for Step 2 Plan

SMART Goals
● Goals feedback form - a low-tech (but online) solution for getting feedback. This form
could be tailored for objectives or really, any topic for which you would like to solicit
feedback.

1. USE VIABILITY ASSESSMENT

● TBD

2. DRAW FROM EXISTING GOALS

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● Rough, qualitative goals - WCS Kenya eles, YKD (TBD Caroline)

Strategy Identification
As needed, consult the CMP Actions Classification for identifying potential strategies

● Miradi Software - desktop provides a nice feature for isolating parts of a situation model
and brainstorming strategies. You can also mimic this online by using tags.
● Information needs worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to record information
needs as they arise. Separated out by different types of information needs and includes
fields to determine how important it is to address the information need now or in the
future and what management decisions you would make by answering the information
need.

1. DRAW FROM GENERIC STRATEGIES

● TBD

2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD…Chunks of model, brainstorming, prioritization - USFWS Midcontinent Shorebirds
(Caroline)

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Strategy Prioritization

1. ABSOLUTE RATING / RELATIVE RANKING

● Strategy Absolute Rating Template - worksheet that allows a team to rate strategies by
a 4-point scale across 3 criteria. The template includes a space for individuals to rate
strategies prior to assigning the final rating.
● (GROUP) Strategy Absolute Rating Template - worksheet with several tabs that allows a
team to rate strategies by a 4-point scale across 3 criteria. The tabs provide a separate
space for groups to rate strategies for a specific part of a situation model, and then
bring them to plenary for further discussion and rating across the whole context.
● Strategy Relative Ranking Template - worksheet that supports a team to rank each
strategy relative to other strategies across 3 criteria.

2. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
● Qualitative Strategy Prioritization Template - worksheet that helps a team set up a
strategy prioritization exercise, using whichever criteria the project team finds most
relevant. Refer to the examples to see how others have used this tool.

3. VOTING EXERCISE
● Dot voting of strategies - CWS Southwestern Nova Scotia (TBD - Caroline)
● Example of “bean exercise” (TBD - Ash)

Theories of Change
● Miradi Software - online and desktop options for diagramming theories of change.
Because Miradi also acts as a relational database,you can store additional information
related to your theories of change (e.g., objectives, indicators, and progress data).
● If you want to share a complex TOC for communications purposes, consider translating
the box-and-arrow diagram into a simpler, image-based model. See how the USAID
Wild Meat Learning Group translated their full TOC into an easy-to-understand image-
based model.
● Information needs worksheet - Google spreadsheet for teams to record information
needs as they arise. Separated out by different types of information needs and includes
fields to determine how important it is to address the information need now or in the
future and what management decisions you would make by answering the information
need.

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CWS SW Nova Scotia - using CAML & other chains (TBD, Caroline)
USFWS Midcontinent Shorebirds - use of group boxes (TBD, Caroline)
MAVA TOCs + scorecards (TBD, Caroline)

1. DRAW FROM GENERIC RESULTS CHAINS

● Conservation Actions & Measures Library (Description pending)
● Miradi Share guidance (Description pending)
● USAID CWC Toolkit (Description pending)

2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

SMART Objectives
● Goals feedback form - a low-tech (but online) solution for getting feedback. This form
could be tailored for objectives or really, any topic for which you would like to solicit
feedback.

1. USE THEORY OF CHANGE

● TBD

2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

Indicators
● Generic viability KEAs - a rough sketch with ideas of how to frame KEAs, indicators,
and ratings for ecosystem and species KEAs. While quite old, much information here is

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still relevant. It would make a great project for someone interested in building this out
more!

1. REVIEW GENERIC INDICATORS

● USAID CWC Toolkit (Description pending)
● USAID CE MEL Framework (Description pending)
● Select indicators from a Standard list based on international agendas (e.g., indicators
from the convention on biodiversity). In a perfect world, those indicators would be pre-
populated in Miradi (see Charles for example of another software that does this) (Link,
description pending)

2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

Monitoring Plan
Marine example? (TBD, Ash)
Need an updated monitoring plan template that incorporates evidence (TBD, Ash)

1. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES

● TBD

2. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

Operational Plan - Coming at a later date

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1. OPTION 1

2. OPTION 2

3. OPTION 3

Step 3. Implement
Find in-depth resources for Step 3 Implement (Description pending)

● Conservation Standards Step 3 Course - YouTube playlist with narrated lecture

recordings and stories from the field for Step 3 of the Conservation Standards. This
material was developed for the University of Wisconsin’s Conservation Essentials online
course.

Work Plan
● Simple work plan template - simple Google spreadsheet you can use and adapt for
your circumstances. Includes an example to show how it can be used.
● Work plan template MI2 uses for USAID biodiversity programs (Description pending)

1. FOCUS ON STRATEGIES OR MAJOR ACTIVITIES

● TBD

2. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

Budget
● Rapid CAP Approach (Research & link pending)
○ Brief summary of project capacity and a rough project budget. Quick
assessment of project capacities, considering the purpose for conducting a
rapid CAP. No need to develop a project budget when doing a rapid CAP.
People who follow up on action steps can do that later.
○ Do a quick evaluation of project resources, flag low capacity issues, and identify
critical resource needs

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○ If necessary, objectives and strategic actions for obtaining sufficient project

resources. Flag project resource needs.
● Step 3 budget module - references from WWF guide? (TBD, Caroline)

1. FOCUS ON STRATEGIES OR MAJOR ACTIVITIES

● TBD

2. TAILOR COMPARABLE EXAMPLES

● TBD

3. CONSULT KEY PEOPLE

● TBD

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Step 4. Analyze & Adapt

Find in-depth resources for Step 4 Analyze & Adapt (TBD, Ash)
● Puget Sound Partnership - State of the Sound (TBD, Ash)
● Bush Heritage scorecard (TBD, Ash)
● Conservation Essentials Step 4 course recordings (TBD, Ash)
● USAID Pause and Reflect Toolkit (Forthcoming) (TBD, Ash)

Data Analysis
● Miradi (Description pending)
● Painted Dog Conservation Organisation Strategic Plan Review 2012-2017 (Description
pending)
● Miradi view of indicator data for a goal/objective (Example pending)
● Scorecard - Mava: TOC + scorecards (qualitative indicators that will be quicker / easier
to measure progress & impact) (Example & link pending)
● SWM Scorecard Template (Description pending)

1. DETAILED ASSESSMENT
● TBD

2. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
● TBD

3. VOTING EXERCISE
● Related to voting - Stoplight diagram (Description pending)
● Related to voting - Scorecard (Description pending)
● JGI YR4 P&R example (Description pending, Ash)

Adaptation
● Decision log (Description pending)
● Adaptation log (Description pending)

1. ANNOTATE DIAGRAMS
● TBD

2. ADAPTATION RECORD
● Messy plan (Description pending)

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● Add example of narrative: Painted Dog Conservation Organisation Strategic Plan

Review 2012-2017 (Description pending)
● Adaptation log (Description pending)

3. UPDATE PLAN(S)
● Something from MAVA? Maybe Sustainable Economy Programme, West Africa
Programme or Med Programme (Description, link pending)
● Adaptation record example on trigger points (AB check with Judy)

Step 5. Share
Find in-depth resources for Step 5 Share

Learning Outputs
1. SET UP A LEARNING JOURNAL
● TBD

2. USE EXISTING MATERIALS

● TBD

3. CONDUCT A LEARNING DEBRIEF

● TBD

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