Smart Development

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Development by Design

Supporting energy, mining, and infrastructure development done in the right way and in the right places.

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Watch the Development by Design video. TNC

The world’s need for food, water, energy and minerals is growing. These demands combined with population growth, unchecked development and climate change are putting even more pressure on the planet. To meet our future needs, we have to make smarter decisions now about how we protect, manage, and develop our lands and waters.

Did you know that people have already altered nearly half of the lands on earth? And, over the next ten years trillions of dollars will be invested in energy, mining, and infrastructure development around the world—much of it will take place in undeveloped natural areas like our mountains, deserts, plains, oceans and rivers.

Decisions are being made today that could change the way we develop these important natural areas, and the Nature Conservancy has developed the science to enable governments, companies, and communities to use and share space, protect natural areas, improve resource management, and invest more wisely for a sustainable future.

Grounded in the Conservancy’s scientific expertise, Development by Design (DbD) provides a holistic view of how future development could affect our natural systems and offers solutions for ensuring their health over the long-term for the people and precious wildlife that depend upon them.

Latest News & Features

Brandon Scurlock from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department records data during a sage grouse count along a stretch of Muddy Creek, a small riparian zone within the private land of Cottonwood Ranch that has been set aside as a conservation easement. These mitigation efforts are designed to protect a valuable area of wildlife habitat to offset the industrial destruction in the Jonah oil and gas field near Pinedale, Wyoming. The rich riparian environment is home to numerous species of animals including the sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), moose (Alces alces), pronghorn antelope (Antelopcapra americana) and red tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Photograph taken on assignment for Nature Conservancy Magazine winter 2008 "Proving Ground" story. © David Stubbs

Our Approach

See how we combine conservation planning with traditional mitigation approaches to do big things for conservation.
Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa). These arid adapted gazelle have declined precipitously throughout most of their range from the Middle East to Mongolia, but are faring relatively well in Mongolia. © Richard Reading

Boots on the Ground

Learn more about our local projects in the United States, Mongolia, Australia, and Latin America, and our efforts to expand globally.
Wind turbines © Ali Pk

Rooted in Science

Review our analysis and read peer-reviewed papers about how we are putting our science to the test.

Latest Videos

Development by Design © TNC

Development by Design

The Nature Conservancy thinks our Development by Design approach can help development be an engine for economic growth and support the healthy natural systems we all depend upon.
Development by Design © TNC

Changing the Trajectory of Development

We are working with governments and companies to achieve significant conservation gains by applying Development by Design on a global scale.
Development by Design © TNC

Yours, MINE, Ours

Here's a look at The Nature Conservancy's smart development work in Mongolia from a child's perspective—featuring stuffed toy animals and a Lego bulldozer!