To ensure that scarce resources are used efficiently, it is critical to assess the effectiveness of conservation work by monitoring impacts, outcomes and outputs, and to adapt project actions as we learn what works and what does not. Conceptual models help to make the relationships between conservation targets, direct threats, contributing factors and conservation strategies explicit. Ideally, each element of the model is directly linked to elements within a monitoring framework, thus allowing us to track over time: a) the status of conservation targets (such as wildlife or habitats); b) the level of threats that directly impact these targets; and c) the effectiveness of the strategies that we are implementing.

Conservation Support assists our field programs with the development, implementation and analysis of monitoring activities that help us to assess the effectiveness of our conservation actions and strategies. We offer site-specific guidance on designing, implementing and analyzing baseline and monitoring surveys for wildlife and threats. We provide similar guidance on livelihood monitoring and natural resource consumption at the village and household levels. With this information we can better understand how conservation management influences local families' livelihood security and help ensure that conservation practices and policies have neutral, or even positive, impacts on poor rural families. We provide technical support by publishing "how to" manuals, running short workshops and providing interactive e-learning sessions and remote mentoring.