Introduction

Whether it’s saving an endangered species from extinction, designing a functional protected area network, or developing community-based solutions to conserve biocultural heritage, success requires a solid action plan with buy-in from an engaged and motivated team to turn ideas into reality.

Conservation coaching achieves just that by empowering teams to design and implement effective strategies in an open and collaborative environment. By bringing together a blend of facilitation skills, subject matter expertise, and a structured planning framework, conservation coaching can help your team gain the clarity needed to create lasting impact.

What to Expect

While no two conservation projects are the same, achieving transformational results requires that all project teams have, (1) a shared understanding of the current reality, (2) a clear vision for the future, and (3) a roadmap to achieve that vision. Through conservation coaching, GCS can help you turn these three elements into a compelling strategic plan, the benefits of which include:

  • Demonstrable and measurable outcomes for nature and people
  • Stronger team cohesion and a shared sense of direction
  • Greater operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness
  • Increased credibility with donors, partners, and decision makers
  • Improved resilience and flexibility in the face of uncertainty
  • Fostering a team culture of accountability and proactiveness

Process

While GCS uses a variety of tools to support conservation planning, we specialize in applying the Conservation Standards (CS), which is a systematic, open-source framework to design, implement, and monitor conservation strategies so that teams can accelerate what works and avoid what doesn’t.

Our conservation coaching services help multi-stakeholder and -rightsholder teams work through the CS framework to effectively assess their current situation using the best available information, communicate their desired outcomes clearly and succinctly, track progress toward achieving those outcomes, and adapt strategies as lessons are learned.

 

Karel Allard

Marine Protected Areas Coordinator, Canadian Wildlife Service

“Navigating complex conservation challenges involving teams of individuals with varied perspectives and knowledge requires key enabling tools and approaches. Josh’s considerable experience and honed facilitation skills promote shared understanding through structured, clear, and congenial exchange. I highly value the blend of practitioner experience, facilitation integrity, and adaptability that Josh has brought to our team.”