Transcript Toward a `Science Center without Walls` CABS as CI`s

Toward a
‘Science Center without Walls’
CABS as CI’s global space
for new frontiers in
applied biodiversity science
Science Summit @ Annual Planning FY09
Overview
 Major scientific needs in CI
 Changing context for global conservation
 Implications for biodiversity science
 Center without Walls for Science
 Science Summit – Objectives
Science and Conservation
Green.view
Finger on the spot
Apr 14th 2008
From Economist.com
Deciding what to save
 “So, a message to all hotspot scientists: putting out the fire
is far more important than trying to decide whether the
garden gnomes or the Tretchikoff will be more useful to the
next generation.”
CABS
- what we do and why
 Understanding biodiversity patterns and species
extinction risks  maximize coverage and
representation in protected areas; effectively target
conservation
actions
We generate
knowledge in the form of data,
 Monitoring
and tracking
changes
tools, guidelines,
maps,
etc. in
to ecosystems
inform and
identify threats/opportunities
to influence
optionsWe
influence
conservation practices
andpolicy
policies.
for achieving conservation outcomes
also contribute to building capacity.
 Support priority-setting and conservation responses
 knowledge and tools for defining conservation
outcomes to maximize success of actions
Emerging Science
priorities
 Climate change and biodiversity links 
options for adaptation and for mitigating carbon
emissions (avoided deforestation, REDD, land
use tradeoffs)
 Innovations for linking ecosystem services to
human livelihoods  harnessing biodiversity
benefits for improving and sustaining quality of
life
Global challenges that
won’t go away
 Poverty, food security, and water scarcity 
search for integrated solutions
 Land use tradeoffs in the face of global
change  making the case for sustainable land
use to safeguard biodiversity
 Overexploitation and trade of biological
resources (wildlife, fisheries)  making the
case for policy options
Human wellbeing is consistent among these challenges
Implications for
Biodiversity Science
 Challenges are enormous and complex –
demands for news ways of doing science
 Higher economies of scale
 Growing urgency for results and impact
 Institutional collaboration is key – synergy,
complementarities, value addition
 Resources are getting scarce – need for
innovative ideas to attract funding and talent
Transformation starts with CABS as CI’s global ‘knowledge hub’
Academic and Basic
Research Institutions
A ‘Walled-off’ CABS?
Other Applied Biodiversity
Science Institutions
CABS into the Future (1)
Scientific agenda that is
 Niche-based and credible
 Problems-based and/or demand-driven
 Focused and cutting-edge
 Integrated and holistic (systems thinking; end-to-
end)
 High quality and conforms to standards
 Based on value-addition (advancing the knowledge
frontier)
CABS into the Future (2)
Operational framework that fosters
 Stakeholder or “customer” orientation
 Coherence and cross-disciplinary integration
 Boundary spanning, user–producer interactions
 A ‘safe space’ for creativity and innovation
 Accountability and empowerment at all levels
 Growth and advancement
 Flexibility and adaptability
 Recognizes and rewards performance across the board
A ‘Centre without Walls’
Conservation International
The CABS Space
Other Applied Biodiversity
Science Institutions
Conservation International
Global Conservation Community
Academic and
Basic Research
(Regional Programs, CBCS, CELB, CCG, GCF)
Science to Action
Framework
Science
= systematic, structured learning + knowledge generation
ACTION
= use of knowledge to achieve some pre-defined outcome
Strategic
Investments
Policy and
Governance
Outcome
Delivery
Public
Awareness
Business
Engagement
Biodiversity Science
across Scales
 Global – analysis and synthesis (hotspots + HBWAs), regions; coarse scale
priority-setting, monitoring and modeling; influence international level actions
 Regional – analysis and synthesis (biomes, countries); regional scale
assessments, priority-setting, monitoring and modeling; influence regional level
actions and delivery of outcomes
 National – country-wide and corridor-scale assessments; influence national level
actions and delivery of outcomes
 Landscape/corridor – field level assessments and monitoring;
management tools and incentive systems; community level engagement
 Site – field level assessments and monitoring; management tools and incentive
systems; community level engagement
Marine
Freshwater
(Red List Assessments, Field surveys, Species
baselines, Monitoring long-term trends)
Global Change and Ecosystem Services
(Multi-scale assessments, land use and habitat change,
climate change, landscape interactions)
Conservation Priorities and Responses
(Outcome definition, priority setting, scientific outreach)
OUTPUTS
Biodiversity Assessments
Applications and Actions
Terrestrial
(Synthesis, Practices, Policies, Tools, Capacity)
Framework for Biodiversity
Science and Early Warning
Looking Ahead to FY09
 Consolidate science priorities into work plan –
foster integration and coherence
 Transitioning all CABS staff into scientific
clusters – focus on major science initiatives
 Enhance alignment within CI –
 Linking science across geographical scales and
thematic priorities
 Linking scientists through effective networking
 Clarify and strengthen support to other CI
programs
FY09-11 Major Science
Initiatives
Cluster 1 – Biodiversity Assessments
 High priority biodiversity field surveys and biogeography
 Freshwater assessments and priorities
 Marine assessments and priorities
 Global Reptile Assessment and drylands
FY09–11 Major Science
Initiatives
Cluster 2 – Global Change and Ecosystem
Services
Habitat, species and community monitoring and
modeling
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Predictive remote sensing and ecological
forecasting
Capitalizing on bundled ecosystem services
Impacts and benefits of biodiversity conservation
FY09–11 Major Science
Initiatives
Cluster 3 - Conservation Priorities and
Responses
Refining global terrestrial conservation priorities
Supporting definition and monitoring of outcomes
CI-wide
Strategic outreach of CABS science
Investing in capacity, our greatest asset
Operational Principles for
a ‘Center without Walls’
1. Core business is science to support Biodiversity
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Conservation
Integration across CI (e.g. through networking)
Innovation and creativity across the board
Transparency, collaboration, and peer-review
Impact orientation and communication
Empowerment for all staff
Clustering the CABS Core
Science Leadership
TEAM
MMAS
Cluster 1 - Biodiversity Inventory, Assessments, and Monitoring
Freshwater
Cluster 2 - Global Change and Ecosystem Services
‘team’
Cluster 3 - Global Conservation Priorities and Responses
A Center without Walls?
Source: Valdis Krebs and June Holley
The Science Summit
-- Objectives
 Understand the nature of science in CI based on needs
for outcome delivery (feet-in-the-mud) and an enabling
environment (head-in-the-sky) across all scales
 Discuss emerging science priorities relative to changing
context for global biodiversity conservation
 Reflect on ‘Center without Walls’ model that embraces
science for feet-in-the-mud and the head-in-the-sky
across all scales and biomes
 Develop a framework to network effectively across the
organization on emerging science priorities