Impact evaluation to communicate and improve conservation non-governmental organization performance: the case of Conservation International

The rising prominence of more rigorous approaches to measuring conservation outcomes has included greater adoption of impact evaluation by conservation non-governmental organizations (CNGOs). Within the scientific literature, however, little consideration has been given to the unique and specific ro...

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Published in:Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences 2015-11, Vol.370 (1681), p.20140282-20140282
Main Authors: McKinnon, Madeleine C., Mascia, Michael B., Yang, Wu, Turner, Will R., Bonham, Curan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive Management
Animals
Biodiversity
Biodiversity Conservation
Boundary Science
Communication
Conservation of Natural Resources - methods
Ecosystem
Evidence-Based Conservation
Impact Evaluation
International Agencies
Non-Governmental Organization
Organizations
Policy Making
Review
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Summary:The rising prominence of more rigorous approaches to measuring conservation outcomes has included greater adoption of impact evaluation by conservation non-governmental organizations (CNGOs). Within the scientific literature, however, little consideration has been given to the unique and specific roles of CNGOs in advancing impact evaluation. We explore these issues in the context of one CNGO—Conservation International (CI)—and its experiences producing, using and funding impact evaluations over the past decade. We examine the contributions of impact evaluation to CI's mission at three different stages of CI's strategy: innovation, demonstration and amplification. Furthermore, we review incentives and barriers encountered by CI in its 10+ years' experience in impact evaluation. More coordinated and strategic use of impact evaluation by CNGOs would facilitate learning and promote accountability across the conservation community.
ISSN:0962-8436
1471-2970
DOI:10.1098/rstb.2014.0282