Improving the Evaluation of Conservation Programs

The evaluation of conservation programs is rare but increasingly important in improving their effectiveness. Regular evaluations of conservation programs and the implementation of recommendations resulting from such assessments are infrequent because of resistance by participants and lack of funding. Evaluations may be internal or external, depending on the purpose of the review and how broadly it is focused. We strongly recommend external peer review of long-term complex conservation programs every 5 years, supported by more frequent (annual) internal reviews. Criteria for success must encompass both biological and social measures and include learning and the application of new knowledge to management. Evaluations must also go beyond monitoring to assess the value of the program. We emphasize the need to include the organization and function of a conservation program (the process) in any evaluation in addition to substantive criteria for success, which usually involve biological measures (numbers). A dysfunctional program organization and process can as effectively cripple a conservation effort as can a major biological catastrophe. We provide examples of different types of conservation program evaluations, including moderated workshops and case-study analysis, and provide advice on the logistics and organization of the review, emphasizing the importance of the evaluation process itself to a successful outcome. One important aspect of an evaluation is having an individual with leadership ability and considerable expertise to organize the format and oversee the review process itself. Second, it is essential at the outset to ensure agreement among the program participants and the review committee on the goals and objectives of the conservation program, what is to be evaluated, and the criteria for defining success. Finally, the best evaluations are inclusive and involve all participants and stakeholders. Mejoramiento de la Evaluación de Programas de Conservación Resumen: La evaluación de programas de conservación es poco común, pero cada vez más importante para mejorar la efectividad de dichos programas. Tanto las evaluaciones de los programas de conservación como la puesta en operación de las recomendaciones resultantes de dichas evaluaciones se realizan con poca frecuencia debido a la resistencia de los participantes y a la falta de apoyo financiero. Las evaluaciones pueden ser de carácter interno o externo, dependiendo del propósito de la evaluación y de la amplitud del enfoque. Recomendamos enfáticamente que colegas del mismo ámbito evalúen aquellos programas de conservación considerados complejos y de largo plazo cada cinco años, y que estas evaluaciones sean reforzadas por evaluaciones internas realizadas con mayor frecuencia (anualmente). Los criterios que se aplican para § Current address: Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, U.S.A. Paper submitted November 30, 1998; revised manuscript accepted May 26, 1999.