Learn how to design and facilitate effective conservation planning processes to help the recovery of species and systems.
Course Dates:
The next date for this course is:
3 November-19 December 2025
Registration closes one month before the start date.
Course Introduction:
More than 157,000 species have been assessed through the global IUCN Red List. Alarmingly, roughly a third are considered threatened with extinction.
Reversing this critical situation requires effective conservation plans, but planning can be complex. To scale effective planning, we need a significant increase in competent facilitators able to support governments, non-government organizations, zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens, and civil society groups to plan for species conservation.
This course will equip you with the skills and confidence to design and facilitate inclusive and impactful species conservation plans through our proven, science-based Principles and Steps.
Learning Outcomes:
This is an introductory course to species conservation planning.
By the end participants will be able to:
- Apply the CPSG Species Conservation Planning Principles and Steps to the design and facilitation of species conservation planning processes.
- Demonstrate the role of the facilitator in consensus-based decision making.
- Select the right facilitation tools to help groups solve problems, make decisions, and develop plans.
Course Format:
This online course consists of pre-recorded lectures, reading materials, and problem-solving activities along with weekly group sessions (online). You will interact with some of the world’s leading authorities on species conservation planning, share in their experiences, and develop your own understanding of the skills involved.
Pre- recorded sessions can be listened to in your own time. Live webinars will be repeated each week to accommodate different time zones.
Costs:
This course is available at no cost, partly thanks to the Institute of Museum and Library Services Award: MG-253401-OMS-23.
Course Duration:
The course lasts for seven weeks and involves 4-6 hours of work per week, depending on how quickly you work through the materials.
Certification:
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion. This certificate does not mean you are a 'certified' CPSG Facilitator. However, you would be entitled to use a dedicated CPSG Principles & Steps logo on your planning work. Those going further to apply the skills to their work can be considered for a Certificate of Reflective Practice (additional assessment criteria apply).
Continuing Professional Development Opportunities for AZA Trainees:
Trainees successfully completing the IMLS-funded FSCPW course are eligible for additional professional development opportunities with CPSG. These include training grants for additional training courses, targeted mentorship development, and access to additional CPSG resources.
Application:
Applicants must meet specific criteria to access the grant-funded course. CPSG staff will confirm eligibility and contact all applicants with further information.
To apply, please fill out the form found on the left (bottom on mobile) by clicking "Apply here".
For further information, contact us at [email protected]