Conservation Finance Toolkit

The Toolkit is a resource explaining tools and techniques available to conservation finance practitioners. Tools covered vary from the simple to the complex. Each writeup contains an example of the technique in practice.  

We encourage your questions, feedback and thoughts on concepts that we currently cover or could include in this toolkit.

Tools on wall

Launching the Conservation Finance Network Toolkit

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new series called the Network Toolkit. This series of articles focuses on individual tools practitioners can use. Our goal is to span the range of comfort levels our readers have – from simple to challenging.
Larch trees in forest

Ballot Measures

This article by Nathalie Woolworth and Hazel Wong is part of the Network Toolkit, a resource designed for professionals who want to learn or communicate about the industry. Ballot measures, also known as initiatives or propositions, are instruments of direct democracy that allow voters to directly shape public...
Rural skipper insect in San Luis Obispo

Seller Financing

This article by Mark A. Perelman is part of the Network Toolkit, a resource designed for professionals who want to learn or communicate about the industry. Seller financing allows current owners to enable their dreams to continue beyond their ownership.
Birch trees in forest

Bridge Financing

This article by Abby Martin and Reggie Hall is part of the Network Toolkit, a resource designed for professionals who want to learn or communicate about the industry. Those considering conservation loans should carefully evaluate their preparedness and be open to the possibility that this may not be...
USDA-funded water project in Oklahoma

Conservation Partnerships with Water Utilities

This article by Eve Boyce and Marcy Lyman is part of the Network Toolkit, a resource designed for professionals who want to learn or communicate about the industry. In an increasing number of communities across the country, utilities are working with conservation groups to ensure the ecosystem services...
Water holding tank

Using State Revolving Funds for Land Conservation

This article by Maria Martinez is part of the Network Toolkit, a resource designed for professionals who want to learn or communicate about the industry. State revolving funds (SRFs) have been used for decades as a source of low-cost financing for a variety of water-infrastructure projects.
This photo was taken on Upper St. John River in Maine.  (Credit: Mark Berry)

Forest Carbon Offsets

This article by Paula Chamas and Mark Berry is part of the Network Toolkit, a resource designed for professionals who want to learn or communicate about the industry. Carbon stored in forests has become a great opportunity for conservation-minded landowners to obtain an additional stream of revenue.
Wayne National Forest

Wayne National Forest in Ohio / Dan Keck

Pay-for-Success Financing

Traditionally, conservation efforts raise funding for projects and actions in the hope that those activities will result in desired outcomes. This Toolkit explores Pay-for-success financing, an alternative approach. This model ties funding for conservation to project outcomes, incentivizing the achievement of objectives and shifting risk away from public agencies and...
So this panther walks into a bank...

(Courtesy Mark Conlin/Alamy, via the NRDC website.)

Species and Habitat Conservation Banking

*It should be noted that with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, many conservation banks along with other conservation projects are facing uncertain futures because the pandemic has put a stress on current and future funding. For many years, conservationists, landowners, and developers have met at crossroads when handling cases of endangered...

Creative Commons Legal text

Each of these PDF explainers is available to download for non-commercial Creative Commons uses if it is shared with attribution and without remixing. We welcome your feedback. We encourage you to contact us if you decide to share any of them with a group.

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