Conservation Project Planning

As project managers in wildlife conservation we are often trained in science or land management and do a lot of extra learning ‘on the job’, taking on new skills and cross pollinating (excuse the pun!) with a lot of other disciplines. This can mean that wildlife conservation projects are often technically sound but may not have as big as impact as they could have.

This is where a clear project (or programme) strategy can be highly effective in delivering bigger and better results, motivating your team and attract new donors.

This workshop aim will help you to increase your impact and develop your skills to become an even more effective conservationist. The workshop ‘elements’ share core techniques, busts jargon and explores cost effective approaches to project design.

What happens on the day?

This one-day course is built of several ‘elements’ which share key approaches you can use to design any conservation project. 

The workshop will comprise of formal presentations from the facilitator, group exercises and applied practicals. Therefore, if you already have a project in mind you can apply the approaches directly on the day and start your project planning on the day. [Note; Participants without a project example will be given a demonstration project for applied practicals].

There will also be emphasis on shared learning so the workshop will be small in size to ensure that participants get the most out of it. After the workshop all of the participants will be invited to join a group space on LinkedIn to share ideas, resources and progress following the course and, where participants can ask further questions of the facilitator.

What you’ll learn;

• An understanding of theory of change – a best practice approach used my major conservation organisations and donors. 
• How to develop and share a project vision with your stakeholders
• How to ensure your project is addressing the right issues
• How to build a project plan from scratch 
• How to set your project’s key monitoring targets
• Methods for communicating your plan (for example within log frames) to your team, and donors 

What you’ll get;

• 3 digestible and practical demonstration modules
• Access to resources and templates including a jargon buster and slide prompts which you can use to develop your own project plan for after the workshop
• A new network of peers to share advice, resources and progress with
• Lots of exercises and tasks to get you stuck into doing the work rather than just learning the theory as well as the opportunity to use your own project for worked exercises (this option can be useful in making all of the learning immediately applicable)

Is this for me?

Aimed at every levels this course is for all conservation professionals, including beginners, practitioners and conservation project managers who have previously have received no advanced/formal project management training. 

The skills learned in this workshop are applicable to all wildlife conservation projects, or collections of projects (i.e. programmes). For organisational strategy, please refer to our services page or contact us.

This course is for you if any of these describe you;

• You know what you want to achieve but progress feels slow 
• You're excited and motivated in starting a new project, but don’t know where to start
• Your team have had a few setbacks and now you crave some structure
• You know your project is making things better but your trustees or donors want you to show your project is successful
• Your project is well-supported but struggling to find new donors 
• You’re project is great but you want to make it even better and increase your impact

 What to bring

• A packed lunch - there are snacks and cakes avaialble in the cafe but lunch cannot be guaranteed. If you'd like lunch provided on the day, please also purchase a lunch ticket at the checkout
• Something to take notes with (optional) 
• Sensible clothes and walking shoes (for a lunchtime stroll on the reserve)
• Binoculars (optional)

Teas and coffees will be provided. 

Parking is free and further access information is available here.  If you are struggling to access the site, please contact the organiser, who will be able to help you.

Your Facilitator 

Victoria has over ten years’ experience working in conservation. Before starting Vision Wild Victoria managed and advised species conservation projects all over the world including countries as diverse as Tajikistan, Madagascar and Cuba. Now focused back in the UK, Victoria is dedicated to helping people to help nature.