Landscape Planning

Conservation planning happens at multiple scales from site-specific to transcontinental. While all conservation actions on the ground must eventually be applied at the site scale, the “landscape-scale” has been recommended for decades as a suitable scale for planning. The landscape scale brings in ecological and socioeconomic context to inform decisions by understanding ecological connections and flows, population-level information about species, human stressors affecting sites but originating outside of them, and policy. This course will explore the key concepts and some tricky challenges of conducting conservation planning at the landscape scale, including how site-scale implementing actions can flow from a landscape-scale plan.  The course will draw on the Conservation Standards and other frameworks but will address the multi-disciplinary needs and tools of landscape planning including spatial analyses and optimization, incorporating socioeconomic factors and community input, the importance of partners, and how to sustain what must be a dynamic effort into the future. Eight guest instructors from multiple organizations around the world will augment the course with their specific expertise and experience.

• Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation course, equivalent course, or practical experience applying the standards.

Module 1: Introduction to Landscape-Scale Conservation Planning and Key Planning Frameworks

1. Define landscape planning

2. Identify available landscape planning frameworks

Guest instructor:  Tom Miewald, Program Director 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People (Ecoagricultural Partners)

Module 2: Choosing an Appropriate Landscape Boundary

1. Identify important factors in defining a landscape boundary

2. Define appropriate landscape boundaries given specific biogeophysical and sociopolitical context

Guest instructor: Hannah Grice, Operations Manager, LandScale (Rainforest Alliance)

Module 3: Key Processes in Landscape Planning & Creating a Planning Infrastructure

1. Identify the key processes for conducting landscape planning

2. Translate the Conservation Standards processes for setting the scope, vision, and conservation targets suitable to a landscape’s needs and context

3. Define the human and technical infrastructure to support ongoing assessment and planning

Guest instructor: Dr. Pete Cutter, Director of Program Coordination and Technical Services, RECOFT

Module 4: Incorporating Socioeconomic Considerations and Community Input

1. Identify key socioeconomic considerations in landscape planning

2. Determine important input needs in a landscape context

Guest instructor: Willem Ferwerda, Founder, Commonland

Module 5: Identifying Appropriate Targets, Data and Tools for Your Needs and Capacity

1. Identify factors influencing target selection at a landscape scale

2. Define data needs for targets and useful tools

3. Select ecological and cultural targets appropriate for a landscape

Guest instructors: Dr. Jen McGowan; and Jamie Faselt, Conservation Science Specialist, Center for Large Landscape Conservation

Module 6: Assessing Current Conditions and Future Trends

1. Identify processes, data, and tools for assessing current conditions and future trends

2. Define how outputs of these assessments influence planning

Module 7: What’s in a Plan and How is it Implemented?

1. Identify the key components of a landscape plan

2. Define requisites for landscape plans to facilitate implementation

Guest instructors: Dr. Jen McGowan

Module 8: Building Partnerships and Creating a Dynamic Assessment & Planning Process

1. Identify key partners and communicate the value of landscape planning

2. Define a partnership model to help maintain a dynamic assessment and planning process

Guest instructors: Hannah Grice, Operations Manager, LandScale (Rainforest Alliance); and John Buchanan, Vice President Sustainable Production, Conservation International

FORMAT:

• 3 months of access to course materials as you work at your own pace 

• Get instructor support for the 3-month term via email, discussion threads, group meetings, and one-on-one appointments

• After working through the course materials, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

• 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society

• Go to our Continuing Education Page for more details

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Earn 1 credit toward certification as an Associate/Certified Wildlife Biologist® (at any level) with The Wildlife Society

DATES & PRICES:

• Jan 6 - Mar 23 (early bird* ends Dec 2nd): $425 student / $525 professional

*Early bird saves $75

FORMAT:

• 12 months of access to course materials as you work at your own pace 

• Get instructor support for the 3-month term via email, discussion threads, group meetings, and one-on-one appointments

• After working through the course materials, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

• 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society

• Go to our Continuing Education Page for more details

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Earn an additional 1-2 academic credits with an Applied Project

• Go to our Academic Credit Page for details

DATES & PRICES:

• Jan 6 - Mar 23 (early bird* ends Dec 2nd): $575 professional / $675 student

*Early bird saves $75