Integrative Conservation Strategies

Our powerful process of developing Integrative Conservation Strategies customizes solutions to each client’s situation. Here’s how:

Step 1 (Ecological Research): We start by conducting research and consultations with our deep network of experts to synthesize current scientific consensus about (a) the conservation impact(s)/risks of concern and (b) locally-appropriate best management practices (BMPs) that scientists, indigenous leaders, and other stewards have documented to address each impact/mitigate each risk;

Step 2 (Social Science Research): Next, we review the latest and best social science (economic, behavior change, and communication-focused) research about (a) strategies for motivating people to implement recommended solutions, and (b) benefits vs. costs of each solution, leveraging “bright spot” business case success studies. The goal of this step is to enhance participation and results.

Step 3 (Stakeholder Consultations): Recognizing that it is the actions of people that our clients aim to change, we conduct multi-stakeholder consultations that (a) seek to understand key barriers (economic, social, political, logistical) limiting adoption of recommended solutions, and (b) collaboratively brainstorm ideas of solutions to each barrier. 

Step 4 (Integration): We integrate scientific findings with results of stakeholder consultations to develop an Integrative Conservation Strategy that generates valuable environmental and economic benefits, and thus serves as a Conservation Value Solution.

Selected Applications:

• Serving Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) as strategic advisor & thought partner, we collaboratively developed a menu of programmatic options for a sustainable path forward toward ACR’s goal of 10 million certified acres. We successfully completed the following deliverables:
  1. A report detailing key findings from a survey of staff and partners, synthesizing (a) valuable lessons that national, regional, and local ACR staff and partners (ranchers, retailers, funders) have learned during the initial phase of program implementation (e.g., key challenges, ideas of solutions to each) with (b) Conservation Value Solutions’ certification sector expertise and experience to develop a menu of options of strategic improvements in program design/architecture and service offerings;
  2. A document detailing (a) a landscape analysis of “bright spot” Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) certification program revenue streams (and relevant implementation details – pricing, etc.) and (b) recommended options of sustainable funding for ACR – approaches to generating revenues from valuable services that ACR can offer partners, as needed to support the program’s growth;
  3. A plan to (a) create a regionally customizable Impact Measurement (Monitoring & Evaluation) framework for quantifying and reporting triple bottom line benefits of the ACR program, (b) develop multimedia marketing and communication materials that amplify quantified benefits to multi-stakeholder target audiences, and (c) identify options of communication channels for reaching each target audience; and
  4. Based upon program design improvements recommended in the above deliverables, a national and regional staffing plan, budget, and annual production timeline/calendar to support timely enrollment and certification of all acres in the program pipeline under two scenarios: 5 and 10 million acres.

• Recruited to serve as thought partner with founders of the Embers Foundation (the philanthropic organization inspired by Flying Embers’ origin story). Developed the new Rewild Program, which works to catalyze wildfire prevention and restoration that regenerates watershed resilience and reduces risks to communities. Secured invitations for Embers Foundation to become a member of (1) new Wildfire Resilience Funders Network, organized by the Climate Resilience Fund, Resource Legacy Fund, and Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation and (2) 1% for the Planet.

• Representing NRDC, Dr. Gelbard collaborated with Rainforest Alliance experts in sustainability standards and certification and a Food Alliance auditor/rancher to research, co-author and pilot (on ranches totaling over one million acres across three different U.S. regions) the Grasslands Alliance Standard for beef cattle ranches and farms. This comprehensive standard translated scientific recommendations for conserving grazed landscapes into principles, criteria and indicators of well-managed ranching. It is the first sustainability standard that includes the full range of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies available to the North American ranching sector.
  • As part of stakeholder consultations for NRDC’s beef sustainability efforts, Dr. Gelbard produced and directed the Sustainable Grazing Metrics & Standards Summit Workshop in partnership with UC Davis and Cornell. We convened 40+ eminent scientists, public and private land managers, technical assistance specialists, and NGO experts to discuss and seek feedback on NRDC’s draft grazing metrics. This meeting led to the establishment of the Grasslands Alliance.

• • The types of sustainable ranching practices incentivized via the Grasslands Alliance standard not only benefit our environment, but also improve forage and livestock productivity, efficiencies of input use (e.g., healthy plants and soils enable ranchers to cut fertilizer and weed control costs), and resilience to drought.
    • Studies have found that use of fencing and off-stream water to keep grazing livestock from polluting streams not only benefits water quality and the heath of species-rich “riparian” habitats. It results in more even distribution of grazing cattle across ranches, so that animals consume more upland forage and gain more weight.
  • Click here for an overview of how the Grasslands Alliance’s sustainable ranching standard and certification can benefit ranchers and farmers, brands and institutional buyers, and consumers and conservationists alike.

• During our work on Hicks Mountain Ranch, we identified several small, early-stage infestations of the noxious weed, Medusahead. This weed not only threatens native plant biodiversity and reduces forage and livestock productivity. It can reduce livestock carrying capacity by up to 70%, curtailing the ranch’s value in real estate and grazing lease markets. Not only did we detect the infestations early, while they were still small. We provided the ranch manager with the latest scientific recommendations about how to control and even eradicate the infestations. Results from the first year’s treatments are promising.
• Partnered with a marketing expert to devise and execute a conservation psychology-based communication strategy (including an upgrade of multimedia messaging and outreach materials) for NOAA’s Seabird Protection Network.