"We’re never going to succeed through regulation as the mechanism for progress. We’re going to succeed because we make it in everyone’s economic, social, cultural, personal, and health and well-being interest to do these things."
Dr. Michael M. Crow
"In order for that, or any other natural place, to survive and thrive, it has to benefit people, especially those living around it. That’s my focus, and that’s what I hope we’ll do: create leaders who can support that."
Rob Walton
"At Conservation International, we are constantly seeking new, top talent. In the places where we work around the world, the extent to which that capacity exists is very unevenly distributed."
Daniela Raik
Key Takeaways
Market-Driven Conservation is Essential: Success in conservation cannot rely solely on regulation but must be driven by making conservation align with everyone’s “economic, social, cultural, personal and health and wellbeing interest.” This represents a fundamental shift toward market-based solutions that create economic incentives for conservation.
Global Skills Gap in Conservation: There is a “massive demand for skilled conservationists managers” globally, particularly in Africa and other regions where conservation capacity is “unevenly distributed.” The lack of trained professionals in policy, law, finance, and other critical disciplines beyond traditional ecology creates significant barriers to conservation success.
Lifelong Learning Model Required: The new School for Conservation Futures will operate on a lifelong learning model, serving approximately 200,000 degree-seeking learners, 500,000 course-only participants, and 25 million other learners through digital platforms spanning over 180 countries. Students are encouraged to “stay connected over your lifetime” rather than pursuing one-time education.
Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge Integration: The school emphasizes combining “historical science, modern science” with “new indigenous models” and “new modern science models, bringing all of those together.” This holistic approach recognizes the value of traditional ecological knowledge alongside contemporary scientific methods.
Technology-Enabled Global Reach: The initiative leverages digital platforms to enable “face-to-face, fully immersion learning,” “remote learning,” and “group learning around the planet”, making conservation education accessible worldwide while maintaining quality and engagement.
Action Items
For Educational Institutions: Develop interdisciplinary programs integrating conservation with business, policy, law, and finance, create lifelong learning pathways for professionals, and establish global partnerships to share knowledge and best practices across different conservation contexts.
For Businesses and Corporations: Invest in conservation education for executives, create economic incentives that make conservation profitable, and develop corporate sustainability initiatives embedding conservation principles into core operations.
For Conservation Organizations: Build capacity in non-traditional disciplines like finance, policy, and law, establish mentorship networks connecting experienced conservationists with emerging professionals globally, and create pathways for professionals from other sectors to transition into conservation careers.
For Policymakers: Design market-based mechanisms like carbon pricing and green finance tools, support educational initiatives to build conservation literacy across society, and facilitate international knowledge exchange among conservation practitioners.
For Philanthropists and Funders: Support scalable, innovative educational models, fund capacity building in regions with acute conservation skill gaps, and invest in technology platforms enabling global learning and knowledge sharing.
For Conservation Professionals: Pursue continuous learning to stay current with evolving conservation science, develop interdisciplinary skills beyond ecological training, and engage in global knowledge networks to learn from diverse conservation efforts.
