Initiative Action Plan
Name of Initiative:
Conserving Nature & People: Creating Compelling Results-based Management Case
Studies through Collaboration and Peer-Review
Brief Description of the Initiative (the problem addressed, what you’ll do to address it and an estimated time frame
to complete the work):
There is emerging evidence the public generally appreciate the economic value of nature protection. A
recent national poll of the American public with a stratified random sample of 800 people) revealed that
there is broad appreciation for nature’s economic value (see figures below).
So while the motivation of people for conserving nature is mixed, nearly all agree on the importance and
priority. The challenge to conservation is to offer more compelling evidence that conservation projects
Measuring Effectiveness Summit, Participant Handout
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actually deliver these benefits to people.
We will implement a series of case study measures programs that allow us to determine whether or not
conservation makes a difference to the health of the environment as well as human well-being
measures, such as household income or community engagement. This will require collection of data
from a social science perspective, which is generally lacking in conservation.
The results will be open access using a tool such as The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Project
(ConPro) web database, and will be shared with the world at a Measures Summit II. Data that link
conservation to improved human well-being are lacking and this initiative promises to both develop
methods for collecting such data, and translate that data into stories that inform program managers,
policy leaders and thought advancers.
We propose using a formal peer review process among project teams to improve these case study
projects. We propose two peer review periods. The first peer review would take place in October or
November 2011 to evaluate the overall project design and provide feedback on the underlying theory of
change and selection of strategies and actions. The second peer review would occur two months before
the scheduling of the next Measuring Effectiveness Summit to evaluate the monitoring design.
It may take several years before the results from these peer-reviewed case studies generate truly
compelling stories in terms of biodiversity and human well-being outcomes. However, even interim
results will be effective if they are supported with solid action and measuring effectiveness plans,
establishment of baseline measurements, and implementation of a transparent, regular reporting
process to share intermediate results. These case studies will make good “bright spots” at the 2011
Measuring Effectiveness Summit. The case studies can then be heavily publicized through public media
outlets, publications, and websites.
Key Outcome(s) Expected (if the Initiative will last more than 1 year, include 1 year outcomes)


1 year outcome: 3-5 compelling case studies demonstrating effective results-based management
approaches for conserving nature and people.
Longer term outcome: Adoption of results-based management practices showing nature
conservation and human well-being results on 100’s of projects based on communication and
marketing of case studies.
Preliminary Thoughts on HOW you’ll measure success of the Initiative


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Number of completed case studies that fully meet specific criteria for results-based management
Number of media stories featuring the case studies
Number of hits on case study website
Number of times case studies are referenced in other project plans and publications
Key Stakeholders (those who will need to adopt, support or
implement this Initiative, have impact on its success)


Staff assigned to coordinate this initiative
(i.e., handle the request for proposals,
proposal review, peer-review process,
preparation for 2011 Summit).
Project staff from selected case study
The Team
Key Responsibility
If determined,
Current Members




Dan Salzer, TNC
Peter Kareiva, TNC
Jim Boyd, Resources for the Future
Ruth Bowman, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Members we want to add, invite to join us.
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
projects.
Communication and marketing staff
Planned Integration, Communication with other
Community Measures

Collaborate with members of the
conservation effectiveness training initiative
to offer training and support to case study
project staff

Other implementing organizations and funders
Sponsor(s) of the Team
 To be determined
Key Resources Needed (technological, financial,
human capital, other sponsorship)



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Funding needs still to be determined.
Some funds to go directly to the case
study projects (e.g., 5% of the overall
project costs to support measuring
effectiveness efforts).
Participating NGO’s should cover at least
50% of the measuring effectiveness costs.
Some additional funds will be needed to
cover coordination costs to manage this
initiative and collaboration costs (e.g.,
peer review meetings, peer exchanges)
and for marketing and communication
efforts.
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A Preliminary Theory of Change for the Initiative



The conservation community of practice currently lacks compelling examples that demonstrate
the applied value of results-based management practices for achieving biodiversity AND human
well-being results
Collaboration among implementing conservation organizations and funders in selecting,
supporting, peer-reviewing, and improving results-based management practices for a set of highprofile case studies will lead to influential, powerful stories of why projects should improve their
effectiveness measures practices.
Widespread marketing of stories from a set of compelling examples will catalyze interest and
adoption in applying improved results-based management practices.
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
Submit initiative outline to other team members from breakout session at
the Moore Summit for review, edit, additions
May 9, 2010
- Done-
Dan Salzer
Initiative description submitted to the Measuring Effectiveness Summit
organizing committee
May 11, 2010
- Done-
Dan Salzer
The case study initiative is bundled with other initiatives in follow-up
communication to all Moore Summit participants
Summit Coordinating
Committee
Send invitation to 2010 Summit funders to gauge interest in contributing
to the case study grant fund and to implementing organizations to gauge
interest in: (a) Joining the Initiative Case Study Working Group; and (b)
Submitting proposals to participate in this initiative
Summit Coordinating
Committee
Reach Go – No-Go decision on moving forward with this initiative based
on securing a commitment from funders to fund the case study grants
and interest from implementing organizations
Summit Coordinating
Committee
Develop and circulate a request for proposals and establish a grant
review process
Case Study Working
Group
Deadline for submitting proposals
Project staff of
implementing
organizations
Proposals selected for funding
September
2010
Case Study Working
Group
Peer review meeting (following a written peer reviews process) to
evaluate theory of change behind conservation actions
November 2010
Case Study Working
Group
Peer review meeting (following a written peer reviews process) to
evaluate plans for measuring the effectiveness of conservation actions
2 months prior
to 2011 Summit
Case Study Working
Group
2011 Measuring Effectiveness Summit
May/June 2011
Case Study Working
Group
Outreach and communications efforts
Following
Summit
Case Study Working
Group
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Team members that developed this Initiative are:
 Dan Salzer, The Nature Conservancy
 Peter Kareiva, The Nature Conservancy
 Jim Boyd, Resources for the Future
 Ruth Bowman, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
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