• Planning and Managing Effective Conservation Projects: An Introduction to the Conservation Standards

      23 - 27 January 2023 - 14:00 to 18:00 (UK time) 

      Learn how to plan and manage effective conservation projects using Conservation Standards. This interactive and engaging course will develop your skills in adaptive management using real-life case studies from Durrell, and provide you with tools and skills that can be applied to all types of conservation action. 

      Who is it for?

      This course is open to all persons and organisations interested in improving the practice of conservation, both internally within their organisations and externally across the global conservation community. This includes practitioners, researchers, students, consultants, policy makers, funders, and government officials. We especially encourage conservation practitioners based in areas of high biodiversity value to participate in this course. The skills and tools we will cover are applicable to all conservation interventions at all scales.  

      "My organisation is going to benefit enormously by using the Conservation Standards approach. Carefully planning projects and using adaptive management will help us seek, assess and find a solution to threats on time". CONSERVATION STANDARDS course participant.

      What is the course content?

      Using examples from Durrell’s project portfolio, the course provides an introduction to the practical implementation of conservation actions; an overview of the project planning cycle and project management; general principles that can be applied to planning all forms of conservation action (e.g. projects, species action plans and protected area management plans); and the importance of monitoring and evaluation and exploring the factors that can lead to the success or failure of projects.

      The Conservation Standards are a set of tools, guidance, and associated software, developed to help practitioners design and run effective conservation projects. The framework uses a five-step cycle to help adaptively manage any type of conservation project.

      How will you benefit?

      At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to apply the Conservation Standards to plan and adaptively manage your own projects. This includes being able to:

      • Define the scope and vision of your project, and identify and assess the conservation targets (species and ecosystems of interest)
      • Assess the current situation, including identifying direct threats to targets and the primary drivers, and human wellbeing benefits provided through ecosystem services
      • Identify and prioritise conservation strategies
      • Develop and test theories of change for chosen conservation strategies and develop a monitoring plan that enables you to test your assumptions and measure your impact
      • Develop a strategy-oriented work plan and budget
      • Use your project results to reflect, learn, and adapt your conservation plan to ensure you are being effective


      How will the course be run?

      The virtual course will run for five consecutive days, which will include 4 hours per day of online training sessions. The course will offer a mix of theory, practice, reflection, and peer review. Sessions will be live and fully facilitated by trained coaches. Using platforms such as Zoom (video conferencing) and Miro (online visual collaboration), this course is interactive and engaging, allowing participants to put what they have learnt into practice though online breakout group exercises.

      How much will it cost?

      The course fee is £175 per person, which includes:

      • all course materials and access to virtual training sessions and exercises
      • certificate of attendance
      • updates on upcoming, related training opportunities 

      We are committed to delivering this course at cost price, without profit to Durrell, to maximise accessibility and reach, particularly to practitioners from low- and middle-income countries. Limited scholarship places are available for conservation practitioners who are unable to afford the standard course fee. Please indicate whether you would like to register your interest for a scholarship on the application form.

    • Download the leaflet to find out more.

      To book a place, please complete the application form and email it to academy@durrell.org as soon as possible. 
      For further information please email, or call +44 (0)1534 860037.