Journal article
Advancing conservation science and practice through a geographic approach: Platforms, personnel, and partnerships
Conservation science and practice
09/17/2026
DOI: 10.1111/csp2.70410
Abstract
Rapid declines in biodiversity necessitate global action and spatial tools that can inform how to set and implement action for new conservation targets. GIScience (the science of geographic information systems, or GIS) has proven useful for conservation decision‐making, driving the development of new data, tools, and mapping solutions. Combined with urgent conservation needs, it is an ideal time to examine additional opportunities to advance a geographic approach to conservation. Here, we outline a hierarchy of needs that should be prioritized to ensure that GIScience and geography can support the new, and growing, wave of global conservation targets. Based on a participatory workshop involving conservation and GIS researchers and practitioners, we recommend six actions organized around three themes: platforms, personnel, and partnerships. Those six actions include: (1) build standard platforms for data sharing and maintenance; (2) design predictive models for decision support; (3) develop open educational materials that stress problem solving; (4) infuse co‐design into courses and learning materials; (5) support a GIS Conservation Corp and culture; and (6) sustain engagement across academia and practice. Implementing this agenda will lead to bridged knowledge systems, greater trust in spatial evidence, new funding pathways, and durable connections between spatial scientists, conservationists, and decision‐makers translating geospatial innovation into measurable biodiversity gains.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Advancing conservation science and practice through a geographic approach: Platforms, personnel, and partnerships
- Creators
- Amy E. Frazier - University of California, Santa BarbaraTrisalyn Nelson - University of California, Santa BarbaraPeter Kedron - University of California, Santa BarbaraSomayeh Dodge - University of California, Santa BarbaraAlan Murray - University of California, Santa BarbaraJelena Vukomanovic - North Carolina State UniversityJanet Franklin - San Diego State UniversityJennifer Miller - The University of Texas at AustinDipto Sarkar - Carleton UniversityDaniel Kinka - American Prairie Bozeman Montana USADaniel G. Brown - University of WashingtonAdam Devenish - RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, UK Headquarters, The Lodge Bedfordshire UK, Taxonomy and Macroecology Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh Edinburgh UKKelly Easterday - The Nature ConservancyDavid Gadsden - Environmental Systems Research Institute (United States)Hannah V. Herrero - University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleSophia Leiker - The Nature ConservancyNickolas McManus - Conservation InternationalAntonio Medrano - Department of Computer Science Texas A&M University‐Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Texas USASusan Meerdink - University of IowaCullen Molitor - Center for Effective Global ActionMonica Papeş - University of Tennessee SystemVanessa Rathbone - Wildlife Conservation SocietySusana Rodríguez-Buriticá - Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research InstitutePatrick R. Roehrdanz - Conservation InternationalMiranda Brooke Rose - San Diego State UniversityRishi Singh - Clark UniversityLei Song - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyAlexandra D. Syphard - Conservation Biology InstituteTeal B. Wyckoff - The Nature ConservancyYolonda Youngs - California State University, San BernardinoSteffen Zuther - Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Conservation science and practice
- DOI
- 10.1111/csp2.70410
- ISSN
- 2578-4854
- eISSN
- 2578-4854
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- Bezos Earth Fund
Many of the recommendations made in this paper hinge on mobilizing finance at scale, which aligns with the larger Global Biodiversity Framework ambitions (CBD Target 19). In this new period of extreme wealth concentration that is manifesting in extravagant philanthropy (Kolbert, 2018), there is an opportunity to mobilize funding for conservation science through closer partnerships with private funders and foundations. The term 'keystone actors' is being adopted to highlight the profound influence certain private funders are having on conservation agenda, research, policy, and society (Gruby et al., 2021). For instance, the Bezos Earth Fund established the largest ever philanthropic commitment (US$10 billion) to fight climate change and protect nature over the next 5 years. Elements of this work already include a geographic approach for identifying new areas for protection and restoration, but an ongoing challenge is ensuring that the approach is credited with the tangible outcomes donors are often seeking, such as large amounts of land protected or restored. It must be stressed that funding human resources is as important as funding land purchases.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/17/2026
- Academic Unit
- School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
- Record Identifier
- 9985236415802771
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