Initiative Action Plan: Meta-Analysis to determine what conservation
interventions are effective and under what conditions
Name of Initiative: Meta-Analysis to determine what conservation interventions are effective and under what
conditions
Primary Purpose & Key Outcome(s) Expected (if the Initiative will last more than 1 year, include 1 year
outcomes)
To further the science underpinning conservation investment decisions. There is a dearth of data driven
analyses to advise on the appropriate conservation interventions / strategies to implement in different
contextual circumstances for a better probability of conservation success. Using examples of where
conservation Outcomes have been realized in areas facing some degree of threat, this study aims categorize
contextual variables to isolate the driving forces behind conservation success. Results will give conservation
practitioners empirical support for programmatic decisions on where to direct conservation funding.
[Initial thoughts were to use forest cover as a proxy for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services as
the Outcome measure in forested biomes, but the exact definition of the question and dependent variable will
be for the group to decide based primarily on the availability of suitable data].
Preliminary Thoughts on HOW you’ll measure success of the Initiative
At one year, funding for the analysis should be secured and the process of further defining the problem and
variables should have started. Success will be measured by: 1) funding secured (yes/no); and, 2) clear
definition of the problem and categorization of context variables (yes/no)
Over the longer term, success will be measured by the degree to which results are used to inform
programmatic decisions across conservation funders and implementers.
Key Stakeholders (those who will need to adopt,
support or implement this Initiative, have impact on
its success)
To implement – stakeholders to provide data
sources and analysis capabilities. Team with
additional support will work to define the question
and categorize variables.
Once analysis is completed, results need to be
communicated broadly across the conservation
community and adopted into programmatic
decisions by conservation funders and
implementers.
Planned Integration, Communication with other
Community Measures
The Team. If determined, Key Responsibility
Current Members
 Andrew Rosenberg / Hari Balasubramanian (CI)
 Tom Kelsch (NFWF)
 Alex Moiseev (IUCN)
 Mark Zimsky (GEF)
 Elizabeth Kennedy (RA)
 Barry Gold (GBMF)
 Laura Hattendorf (Mulago)
Members we want to add, invite to join us.
 International NGOs / agencies (data sources)
 University researchers (data synthesis)
Sponsor(s) of the Team
 Conservation International (Hari
Balasubramanian)
Key Resources Needed (technological, financial,
human capital, other sponsorship)
- Data
- Flexible funds to bring the right group together
- Propose an NCEAS working group?
A Preliminary Theory of Change for the Initiative
Key Actions Identify the key actions you will take to achieve success
on this Initiative. Focus particularly on how you will LAUNCH this
Initiative to mobilize your team to move forward and the actions/next
steps you’ll take in the next 3 months. Include the first
meeting/call/activity you’ll do following the Summit. Identify the other
major activities you’ll do over the lifetime of the Initiative.
Completed
by
Who’s
Responsible
Reconvene to pinpoint specific conservation effectiveness theme (e.g.,
forest conservation, overfishing)
June 15,
2010
Hari
Identify key stakeholders, who have data or can provide expertise in
analysis, around research theme
June 15,
2010
Core team
Frame research, agree on definition of Outcomes (i.e., what success
looks like for the selected theme), categorize independent variables
Aug 1, 2010
Broader team
Synthesize / analyze data
Aug 1 – Feb
1
Results presented in various formats
April 1
Uptake and incorporation into programming
Team members that developed this Initiative are:
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Alex Moiseev
Elizabeth Kennedy
Barry Gold
Tom Kelsch
Laura Hattendorf
Mark Zimsky
Hari Balasubramanian
Andrew Rosenberg