New research by 18 global wildlife conservation funders, in collaboration with Prof. Sutherland and the Conservation Evidence team, outlines the need to transform conservation action by encouraging evidence-based decision making when awarding grants.
The paper, titled ‘Approaches for integrating evidence of the effectiveness of actions in conservation funding to inspire more effective practice’ urges conservation funders to ask applicants to show evidence of how their project proposal is likely to be successful (via existing scientific studies that tested actions). Also to provide guidance to applicants as to where they can access evidence if needed, including from the Conservation Evidence database, a free, authoritative resource that provides conservationists easy access to relevant knowledge to support conservation policy or management decisions.
The Conservation Evidence team are also working with funders to support robust testing of actions to improve the evidence-base for better decision making.
Funders play a crucial role in shaping the future of conservation. It is hoped that encouraging evidence-based practices will generate a much-needed ripple effect that will extend across the sector, and ensure that only impactful, scientifically backed solutions are implemented for the benefit of global wildlife before it’s too late.
To read the full paper, visit: https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12404
Image: An arboreal wildlife bridge, designed for native dormice after seeing successes in Japan, on the Isle of Wight. It helps to reconnect fragmented woodland patches. Credit: People's Trust for Endangered Species