The Nature Conservancy achieves conservation results by designing and implementing conservation projects at multiple scales. Over the past 15 years, TNC has developed an integrated process for planning, implementing, and measuring conservation success for its conservation projects. This process is called the Conservation Action Planning (CAP) process. CAP begins after the first phase of Conservation by Design, setting priorities, has been completed and ecoregional priorities have been determined.

The CAP process guides project teams through ten steps to identify effective conservation strategies (see below). It provides an objective, consistent and transparent accounting of conservation actions and the intended and actual outcomes of conservation projects. It enables project staff to responsively adapt their actions to improve strategy effectiveness and achieve greater conservation impact.

The fire planning process is compatible with Conservation Action Planning. Some components of fire planning may be completed in the CAP and used to fulfill requirements of the Site Fire Management Plan as long as all elements are addressed with specific regard for fire. For example, Step 5 of CAP, Conduct Situation Analysis, may sufficiently address the Fire Management Justification. Some aspects of the Site Fire Management Plan may be used to fulfill Step 8 of CAP, Develop Work Plans. The important thing is that the planning process is documented and adequate to guide the implementation of a fire management program that is both safe and effective.

Conservation Action Planning: Overview of Best Practices
Two-page Summary of CAP

Last updated November 10, 2005