Effective Conservation
The Strategic Plan of Conservation Activities Introduction

We anticipate that "we will acquire 20,000 acres of land and effectively conserve an additional 200,000 acres" by 2012.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural community types that represent the biodiversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. We are about preserving places. We do this by increasing the effective level of protection, by reducing the threats to biodiversity and by expanding the array of places that are under some form of protection.

In The Nature Conservancy, we work to increase the level of effective conservation of site which we have identified as important to the the success of our mission. We view effecive conservation as a three-legged stool:

1) Appropriate Conservation Management

This is typically determined through land ownership, deed restrictions, third party certification, leases, etc. State dedicated nature preserves have the highest level of protection in Indiana. They carry stringent deed restrictions and are managed for their special biodiversity features. Many TNC owned properties are dedicated nature preserves. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) owns and manages land through their Division of Nature Preserves which also dedicates their properties and manages them for their special features. Other divisions of the IDNR, such as the Division of Forestry or the Division of State Parks, protect land but do not manage them specifically for their biodiversity features. The Nature Conservancy works closely with these and other land holding entities to influence management strategies to more effectively protect these properties. Higher levels of conservation management equates to higher levels of protection.

2) Threat are Adequately Abated

Land ownership alone does not keep a property adequately protected. We identify the greatest threats to each property and work to reduce those threats. In Indiana, we often work to abate threats from invasive species, improper forest management, soil erosion from incompatible agricultural practices, development pressures, fire suppression, etc. Conservation Action Plans are prepared for each portfolio site where threats are identified and ranked and strategies to abate the threats are determined.

3) The Biodiversity We are Trying to Protect is Viable

We must assess the size, health, scale and adequate representation of the targets we are trying to protect. Some of our nature preserves are relatively small because the targets we are trying to protect will remain viable in small places. However, in most situations, we need to think larger in scale in order to protect our targets adequately. The glades of southern Indiana are a good example. Glades are relatively small openings in the forest that are dominated by prairie species. They are found in the context of a large forested system. In order to protect the biodiversity of these rare glades adequately, we must also protect the larger forest system in which they are incorporated.

The 2012 Goal

Our strategic plan specifically develops strategies and high level actions that address all three legs of effective conservation. Unless otherwise noted, the time for all actions is “by 2012”. We anticipate that over the next five years of this plan we will acquire 20,000 acres of land and effectively conserve an additional 200,000 acres by working with federal, state, and local agencies and other private conservation organizations to better manage their lands through new third-party certification programs, fire and invasives programs and improved management regimes.

This strategic plan is a significant departure from previous plans. The plan places a higher significance on the protection of freshwater targets and on developing greater bonds with partners. It reflects only our conservation programs and does not address administrative or fund raising goals. It was specifically designed to be measurable.

This strategic plan is developed in unison with TNC’s Central U.S. Conservation Region’s Three-Year Implementation Plan and with The Nature Conservancy’s global planning process. The strategies stated in this plan are consistent with the larger Conservancy planning process. High level actions reflect activities that are specific to Indiana and advance the effective conservation of portfolio sites identified by a scientific process to protect the diversity of life at natural systems in our state.

This strategic plan is a working document. It will be reviewed and updated annually by the Executive Committee of the Indiana Board of Trustees. Changes to the plan and progress toward the goals will be conveyed annually to the Board of Trustees.

Go to the Strategic Plan Objectives
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