Evaluating the ‘Conservation Standards’ as a conservation planning framework: A case study on the Inner Bay of Fundy (IBoF) Conservation Planning process

Abstract

The Conservation Standards (CS) are a prescribed set of steps, practices and principles for conservation planning. The literature about using CS for global conservation planning is limited, however. A conservation planning initiative for the Inner Bay of Fundy (IBoF) region of Atlantic Canada has been underway since March 2020. This initiative, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service and facilitated by Global Conservation Solutions, is using the CS framework. Participants meet in online workshops and follow the steps of the CS. Since startup, over 100 participants from government, non-governmental organizations, industry, Indigenous organizations, and academia have participated in 42 workshops between March 2020 and December 2024. The initiative was still ongoing when this research concluded in December 2024. This paper reports on the challenges and successes of the CS as a conservation planning framework, using the IBoF Conservation Plan process as a case study. A survey of 16 workshop participants provided insights to the process. Successes of using the CS include knowledge-sharing, relationship-building, and enhanced understanding of the CS as a conservation planning tool. Challenges include engagement and inclusion of all relevant stakeholders and rights holders and a lack of clarity about a timeline for planning process outputs. Recommendations to amplify successes include establishing smaller groups within workshops to help increase efficiency and comfort and maintain participation and interest among participants. Recommendations to address challenges include increased transparency and communication about desired outputs and the anticipated timeline to achieve them. The lessons learned from this case study can inform the final results of the IBoF Conservation Plan and the use of the CS framework in other initiatives.