Development by Design projects

The Nature Conservancy’s approach to Smart Infrastructure and Resource Development enables companies, governments and communities to make better decisions about where development could occur—and where it shouldn’t. Through science and planning methods, like Development by Design, we can provide a holistic way for looking at what development does to natural systems and the people and precious species that depend upon them. We are demonstrating how to mitigate and offset the impacts through our on-the-ground work and by building practices and policy support for this approach. The Conservancy is shaping the footprint of development across the world. Places associated with this priority include Mongolia, Colombia, Australia and the United States. This Global Priority relates directly to the Global Challenge of Conserving Critical Lands.​​ Here's where we work.

Central Appalachian Mountains shale gas and wind development

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We are assessing the landscape to ascertain how the development of shale gas and wind energy could impact key conservation areas in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, and will identify opportunities and strategies for improving siting and mitigation policy across the region. Our goal is to encourage expansion in a way that protects the large remaining blocks of intact forests that are important watersheds. Watch a video on the Central Apps.

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We are using nonparametric modeling to estimate probability of resource development and spatial simulation to generate landuse scenarios to assess impacts to forest cover and watershed integrity (Evans & Kiesecker 2014).  

Sage Grouse Initiative

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The Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) is a highly targeted and science-based landscape approach to recover sage grouse and other wildlife by helping ranchers improve and conserve their lands in eleven western states. We are collaborating with NRCS, BLM and local states to provide scientific support in understanding impacts to sage grouse. Here is an article on TNC's involvement in the SGI. 

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We are working on modeling conifer encroachment, in Oregon, using a novel Wavelet approach on high resolution imagery. With the results of this model we will quantify encroachment effects on sage grouse. In Montana we have developed a probabilistic tillage suitability model that we will use to explore the effects of tillage on sage grouse persistence.  

Mongolia

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Mongolia is a place of spectacular natural beauty with strong cultural heritage and some of the world’s last great deserts and grasslands. Still undeveloped, it is home to rolling steppes, abundant wildlife and people with a strong connection to the land. But change is coming quickly to Mongolia. The country’s mining and infrastructure projects are supporting economic development, but they also have the potential to impact wildlife and traditional communities that live off the land. Leaders there are facing difficult decisions on how best to balance rapid development with the needs of pastoral livelihoods and conservation of rare and remarkable natural assets.

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We are working with the Mongolian government to create a blueprint for sustainable development in many parts of the country. We have completed an ecoregional assessment of the Mongolian grassland steppe and are currently finishing up the Gobi region. To this end we have developed nove new tools for spatial conservation planning including imputation analysis for identifying conservation target offsets and a new rarity index.