Study co-authored by Derek Armitage highlights the impact of governance on conservation measures

Governance matters for conservation, but are we measuring its true impact? A recent Conservation Biology publication, co-authored by SERS professor Derek Armitage, examines how governance can make or break conservation success. The paper is a result of a collaboration with a team from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, IUCN, World Wildlife Fund, the Canadian Centre for Evidence Based Conservation and several other academic institutions.

Among the findings, the paper determines that how conservation efforts are managed, and the context in which they take place, can be just as important as the actions themselves. From ensuring proper use of funding to engaging local communities, effective governance lays the groundwork for meaningful outcomes. Without it, even the best-funded projects can struggle. This study underscores the need for more robust research and better data on governance to guide conservation efforts worldwide.

Check out this article by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which links to our full study, for insights on the findings of the paper.