Measuring and reporting the results of conservation can be hard. Using a Return on Conservation framework that works can be a profitable competitive advantage. Watch the ROCing Results presentations below from the 2019 Conservation Wrangler Summit.
Measuring and Evaluating Natural Resource Metrics
Holly Bamford, Ph.D., Chief Conservation Officer at National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, presented on the “ROCing Results” Panel where she focused on Measuring and Evaluating Natural Resource Metrics.
Presentation Summary:
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is an organization chartered by Congress that sets out to protect and restore natural systems. The foundation leverages public funding with private money to fund experts in the field who get conservation work done. For example, the Pecos Watershed Initiative supports conservation initiatives in the Pecos River Watershed. This project aims to improve habitat for species such as Pronghorn, Texas Hornshell, Pecos Pupfish, and Sprague’s Pipit. NFWF successfully removed invasive plants and planted natives in this area, significantly improving wildlife habitat. They also modified fences in order to improve migration for certain species. They tracked and measured conservation impact and found that the total impact for the Pecos Watershed Initiative is $9 million.
Learn more about National Fish and Wildlife Foundation here.
Union Pacific Railroad’s Collaborative Conservation Projects
Brenda Mainwaring, AVP Public Affairs at Union Pacific, presented on the “ROCing Results” Panel where she focused on Union Pacific’s Collaborative Conservation Projects.
Presentation Summary:
Union Pacific is dedicated to reducing their impact on the environment wherever possible, especially when it comes to improving fuel efficiency. They utilize a tie processing machine that allows them to save truck miles and reduce fuel usage. Union Pacific also has a strong partnership with the National Parks Foundation and collaborates with them on several programs including Open Outdoors for Kids, the Wonder + Wander photo contest, and the Junior Ranger Program. Union Pacific and the National Parks Foundation have delivered measurable results through their programs. The programs reached 42,000 students through open outdoors and 7 million people through the Wonder + Wander photo contest. These results demonstrate how public good comes from private investment in conservation opportunities.
Learn more about Union Pacific here.
HKS Architects
Ellen Mitchell-Kozack, Director of Sustainability & Citizen HKS Principal at HKS Architects presented on the “ROCing Results” Panel where she focused on HKS’s environmental efforts.
Presentation Summary:
Buildings generate 40% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Since humans now spend a large portion of our lives indoors, architects have more responsibility to public health than doctors. HKS believes that tackling sustainability requires looking at environmental, health, and social issues. An example of HKS’s work includes the Kachumbala Maternity Unit in Uganda, which has achieved a 96% reduction in predicted energy use and supplies 51% of their power needs from on-site renewables. The maternity now has a 9.77 out of 10 patient satisfaction rating, and a 29% increase in the number of deliveries. This is just one of many examples of how HKS designs and buildings support the environment, public health, and communities.
Learn more about HKS Architects here.
These speakers sat down to take questions from the audience. Watch the panel below.
Click to see the This Land is Our Land, Treasure from Trash, and Futureproof panels.