Landscape Planning

Conservation planning happens at multiple scales from site-specific to transcontinental. While all conservation actions on the ground must eventually be applied at the site scale, the “landscape-scale” has been recommended for decades as a suitable scale for planning. The landscape scale brings in ecological and socioeconomic context to inform decisions by understanding ecological connections and flows, population-level information about species, human stressors affecting sites but originating outside of them, and policy. This course will explore the key concepts and challenges of conducting conservation planning at the landscape scale, including how site-scale implementing actions can flow from a landscape-scale plan.  The course will draw on the Conservation Standards and other frameworks but will address the multi-disciplinary needs and tools of landscape planning including spatial analyses and optimization, incorporating socioeconomic factors and community input, the importance of partners, and how to sustain what must be a dynamic effort into the future. Eight guest instructors from multiple organizations around the world will augment the course with their specific expertise and experience.

Course materials available starting September 22, 2025.

STANDARD and PREMIUM formats also include:

• Live (recorded) meetings September 24 – October 22, 2025; 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesdays and Fridays each week (except October 8). Exact dates are: 9/24, 9/26, 10/1, 10/3, 10/10, 10/15, 10/17, and 10/22.

• Instructor support September 22 – 5 November 5.

See TOPICS & LEARNING OUTCOMES below for the details about guest lecturers each week!

• Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation course, equivalent course, or practical experience applying the standards is recommended, but not required.

Module 1: Introduction to Landscape-Scale Conservation Planning and Key Planning Frameworks (March 4th)

• Define landscape planning so you can describe it to potential partners.

• Explain the pros and cons of landscape planning

• Identify some available landscape planning frameworks that you may want to use in the future.

Guest instructor:  Tom Miewald, Program Director 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People (Ecoagricultural Partners)

Module 2: Choosing an Appropriate Landscape Boundary (March 6th)

• Identify the types of landscape boundaries and their pros and cons

• Know how to choose an appropriate boundary for a landscape based on goals, targets, and social–ecological makeup and context

Guest instructor: Hannah Grice, Operations Manager, LandScale (Rainforest Alliance)

Module 3: Key Processes in Landscape Planning & Creating a Planning Infrastructure (March 11th)

• Identify the processes for landscape planning and devise a project plan to carry them out

• Translate the Conservation Standards processes to landscape planning

• Define the human and technical infrastructure to support ongoing assessment and planning

Guest instructor: Dr. Pete Cutter, Director of Program Coordination and Technical Services, RECOFT

Module 4: Incorporating Socioeconomic Considerations and Interested Party Input (March 13th)

• Identify key types of socioeconomic considerations for doing landscape planning

• Identify types of interested parties, desired input, and ways of obtaining input

Guest instructor: Willem Ferwerda, Founder, Commonland

Module 5: Identifying Appropriate Targets, Data and Tools for Your Needs and Capacity (March 25th)

• Select appropriate targets for landscape planning based on Conservation Standards guidance translated for landscapes

• Know typical types and sources of data to represent targets and scenario components

• Know some standard tools used in conservation planning

Guest instructors: Dr. Jen McGowan Global Managing Director, Marxan Solutions; and Jamie Faselt, Conservation Science Specialist, Center for Large Landscape Conservation

Module 6: Assessing Current Conditions and Future Trends (March 27th)

• Create an appropriate method for assessing current and future conditions of targets given your landscape context and resources

• Formulate plausible future scenarios for assessing future trends

Guest instructor: Patrick Comer is Principal-Ecologist of ComerEcology

Module 7: What’s in a Plan and How is it Implemented? (April 1st)

• Define core components of a landscape conservation plan suitable for your landscape context

• Identify key actions and players for implementation

Guest instructors: Dr. Jen McGowan, Global Managing Director, Marxan Solutions

Module 8: Building Partnerships and Creating a Dynamic Assessment & Planning Process (April 3rd)

• Identify the types of partners and partnership structures to support landscape planning and implementation

• Define what is needed to support ongoing landscape assessment and planning

Guest instructors: John Buchanan, Vice President Sustainable Production, Conservation International

FORMAT:

• 3 months of access to course materials

• Recordings of live meetings posted

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

• 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society (go to our Continuing Education Page for more details)

FORMAT:

• 3 months of access to course materials as you work at your own pace 

• Get instructor support for the 3-month term via email, discussion threads, group meetings, and one-on-one appointments

• After working through the course materials, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

• 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society

• Go to our Continuing Education Page for more details

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Earn 1 credit toward certification as an Associate/Certified Wildlife Biologist® (at any level) with The Wildlife Society

• Course qualifies as a core-curriculum credit in the Conservation Planning Certification program.

Learn at your own pace (watch prerecorded lectures and videos, read papers, and participate in discussions) with instructor support as needed.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

• 16 CEUs with The Wildlife Society (go to our Continuing Education Page for more details)

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Earn 1 credit towards a professional certificate in Conservation Planning with CWS

ACADEMIC CREDIT:

• Earn 1 academic credit (go to our Academic Credit Page for details)

• Earn an additional 1-2 academic credits with an Applied Project

Learn at your own pace (watch prerecorded lectures and videos, read papers, and participate in discussions) with instructor support as needed.