Conservation Organizations Research Articles

How expectations of reciprocity impact donation and volunteer behavior to Nongame Wildlife Programs: a case study in Minnesota

ABSTRACT Our research examines motivations behind support for wildlife conservation efforts, primarily through volunteering and donations. Using the Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program as a case study, we focus on nature-based support motivations. Using novel applications of two theoretical frameworks, we surveyed 763 respondents and found significant links between motivations and volunteer and donor behaviors. Biodiversity and ecological reciprocity were key drivers of donor behavior, while perks and natural place-based motivations strongly influenced volunteering. These findings suggest broad interests in wildlife conservation beyond organized events, extending to local communities and private lands. Our results underscore the importance of aligning volunteer experiences with preferred motivations to sustain engagement. Integrating community science programs, which activate volunteer motivations, could enhance engagement and support for wildlife conservation efforts. By focusing on supporters’ conservation impact and broadening engagement strategies for donors and volunteers, conservation organizations can adapt to changing landscapes and foster long-term support for wildlife conservation.

From confiscation to conservation: Wildlife DNA forensic for species identification of confiscated Felidae in Indonesia.

Illegal wildlife trade poses a significant threat to Indonesia's biodiversity, especially among its diverse Felidae species (cats). While molecular methods have proven effective for identifying some Felidae species, there remains a gap in comparing these techniques across different endemic Felidae species in Indonesia, particularly in cases involving multiple species in confiscated wildlife products. This study applies DNA forensic techniques to analyze 38 confiscated Felidae samples, identifying four species: Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), leopard (Panthera pardus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Notably, 21 samples identified as Sumatran tigers showed 100 % similarity to the reference sequence, demonstrating the effectiveness of custom-designed primers. The analysis also revealed a diverse range of biological materials, supporting the robustness of DNA forensics in wildlife conservation. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree further confirmed species differentiation with strong bootstrap values. These findings underscore the importance of accurate species identification for prosecuting wildlife crimes and formulating targeted conservation strategies. Despite limitations, including sample size and reliance on existing reference data, the study emphasizes the crucial role of DNA forensics in combating illegal wildlife trade and highlights the need for improved genetic databases. Practical implications include establishing protocols for sample collection, DNA forensic training for law enforcement, and fostering collaboration between forensic laboratories and conservation organizations. Integrating these forensic techniques supports broader conservation goals by enabling targeted enforcement, effective prosecution, and informed conservation planning through accurate subspecies identification.

Collaborative management partnerships strongly decreased deforestation in the most at-risk protected areas in Africa since 2000

Collaborative management partnerships (CMPs) between state wildlife authorities and nonprofit conservation organizations to manage protected areas (PAs) have been used increasingly across Sub-Saharan Africa since the 2000s. They aim to attract funding, build capacity, and increase the environmental effectiveness of PAs. Our study documents the rise of CMPs, examines their current extent, and measures their effectiveness in protecting habitats. We combine statistical matching and Before-After-Control-Intervention regressions to quantify the impact of CMPs, using tree cover loss as a proxy. We identify 127 CMPs located in 16 countries. CMPs are more often located in remote PAs, with habitats that are least threatened by human activity. Our results indicate that, on average, each year in a CMP results in an annual decrease in tree cover loss of about 55% compared to PAs without CMPs. Where initial anthropogenic pressure was low, we measure no effect. Where it was high, we see a 66% decrease in tree cover loss. This highly heterogeneous effect illustrates the importance of moving beyond average effect size when assessing conservation interventions, as well as the need for policy makers to invest public funds to protect the areas the most at risk.

Understanding diverse perspectives on grizzly–livestock conflict and conflict‐reduction tools across southwest Montana ranching communities

AbstractAs the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) population rebounds in the western United States, conflicts with humans, including livestock depredation, have also increased. What grizzly bear conflict means, for whom, and what it implies for the viability of conflict‐reduction tools on the ground can vary widely. Multiple perspectives on the causes of—and solutions to—grizzly bear conflict present serious challenges for conservation practice. To better understand perceptions of human conflict with grizzly bears, we used a combination of in‐depth interviews (n = 29) followed by a Q‐sort activity with key stakeholders (n = 21; i.e., ranchers, ranch managers, conservation organization members, agency scientists) in ranching communities in southwest Montana, USA, situated between the 2 largest grizzly bear recovery zones. Stakeholders interpreted conflict with grizzly bears as directly and indirectly connected to broader social changes on the landscape, and these changes influence how they make sense of and act on conflict reduction. Specifically, 3 distinct (but not mutually exclusive) perspectives on grizzly–livestock conflict and conflict‐reduction tools emerged: 1) that grizzly–livestock conflict is a symptom of the social divide within ranching communities, 2) that conflict can be attributed to governance structures that currently limit the use of potentially effective tools (e.g., hunting, lethal removal), and 3) there are multiple paths for reducing conflict and holistic, ecosystem‐based management is needed. We provide managers with new insights on grizzly–livestock conflict and conflict reduction, and hope this work helps increase collaboration among ranchers, managers, and other stakeholders engaged in this complex social and ecological challenge.

Recovering population of the southern sea otter suppresses a global marine invader

Understanding the role of apex predators on ecosystems is essential for designing effective conservation strategies. Supporting recovery of apex predators can have many benefits; one that has been rarely examined is control of invasive prey. We investigated whether a recovering apex predator, the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), can exert local control over a global marine invader, the green crab (Carcinus maenas). We determined that southern sea otters in Elkhorn Slough estuary in California can consume large numbers of invasive green crabs and found strong negative relationships in space and time between otter and green crab abundance. Green crabs persisted at highest abundance in this estuary at sites with artificial tidal restriction that were not accessible to otters. Green crab abundance remained lower in this estuary than in all other estuaries in the region, which lack resident sea otters. Conservation organizations and agencies have invested heavily in recovery of southern sea otters, increasing their numbers in this estuary. Restoration of natural tidal exchange, lost marshes, and seagrass beds further support sea otter populations. We have demonstrated that these investments in top predator recovery and habitat restoration have reduced the impacts of a global invader. Our investigation highlights that investment in recovery of top predators can increase beneficial food web interactions and resilience of the entire ecosystem.

Charismatic species, matching, and demographics in conservation donations: An experimental investigation

Conservation organizations employ charismatic species to appeal to potential donors and increase contributions. However, evidence that this strategy increases donations is mixed. In an experimental setting, we investigate the effects of species charisma and the characteristics of potential donors on donations to conservation organizations. We conducted a modified dictator game through MTurk with 330 subjects, exploring subjects’ responses to one of sixteen treatments that differ across three dimensions. The first dimension involves exposure to an image that varies among subjects in terms of charisma. In the second dimension, we use differing donation matching rates to examine the effectiveness of matching gifts. With the final dimension, we consider real versus hypothetical scenarios. Our key findings are that the effects of charismatic species on donations are limited after controlling for the characteristics of the subjects and that those faced with a hypothetical scenario donate significantly more than those with real stakes. These results suggest conservation organizations, particularly those with a national or international focus, should consider the characteristics of potential donors targeted by their fundraising campaigns rather than relying on images of charismatic species.

Adapted RCP 4.5 and 8.5 climate change scenarios for invasive Sus scrofa in Mexico

Climate change is a common factor that contributes to the growth or decline of animal populations. The present study, conducted using the Species Distribution Model, highlights the fact that despite the recognized negative impact of wild boar (Sus scrofa) on semi-natural areas and agricultural systems worldwide, the species remains poorly studied. According to projections for Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5, increased clusters of wild boar abundance are expected to emerge around fragmented species assemblages by 2070. Sus scrofa is an extremely destructive and rapidly spreading invasive species whose movement appears to be facilitated by humans. As a consequence, many endemic plants are threatened with extinction. Biological corridors between fragments with poor conservation status should be linked to priority areas for adequate protection. The creation of preserved landscapes in territories separated from semi-natural ecosystems is recommended. Additionally, these measures can help mitigate the negative impact of S. scrofa on local biodiversity. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management strategies will be crucial for long-term conservation of the affected areas. Environmental protection efforts must prioritize the restoration of natural habitats and the implementation of strict regulations to control the spread of this invasive species. Collaborations between conservation organizations, governments, farmers, and local communities are essential to ensure effective wild boar management and the preservation of arable land and forests. Moreover, public awareness campaigns about the environmental impact of wild boar and the importance of conservation efforts are critical for garnering broader support.

Bee-friendly interventions: the barriers and opportunities affecting urban residents’ conservation of wild bees in Gardens

Wild bees are experiencing population declines globally. Despite urbanisation replacing habitat and forage with synthetic materials, urban residential gardens have the potential to become pollinator hotspots, increasing bee diversity and abundance. We explored public knowledge and attitudes towards bees, and ‘bee-friendly’ interventions (BFIs) conducted by urban residents. We reviewed the motivations and barriers which influence or prevent this, using the town of Woking, England, as a case study. An online questionnaire was distributed in 2023 to residents with gardens or balconies. Results from 286 surveys showed 98.3% of respondents performed ≥ 1 BFI and the most common action was planting “pollinator-friendly” plants (75.9%). Sentiment towards bees positively correlated to the number of BFIs performed, and 94.8% of respondents felt positively about bees. Most participants indicated altruistic motivations behind their performance of BFIs.Implications for insect conservation: Though the public are altruistically motivated to undertake conservation for wild bees, and most are performing at least one BFI, lack of knowledge and understanding is the biggest barrier preventing conservation action. Governments, policymakers, and plant retailers should direct citizens to wild bee conservation organisations to engage and inform the public about bee ecology and improve habitat provision within neighbourhoods.

A framework for promoting disciplinary diversity and inclusion through epistemic justice.

Integrating diverse disciplines and knowledge practices into conservation offers new insights into the complex socioecological dynamics of conservation challenges and how to address them. Integration, however, is not simple; disciplines differ widely in their epistemic and professional commitments, theories, methods, applications, practices, and codes of ethics. Using an epistemic justice approach, we examined how and why different forms of disciplinary and social diversity are connected and offer a framework for promoting disciplinary diversity for conservation science and practice. This framework draws on a literature review and open-ended responses from surveys of Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) members (n=577) and nonmembers (n=213) on experiences of professional and disciplinary exclusion and inclusion collected by SCB's Disciplinary Inclusion Task Force. We propose 4 steps conservation organizations and projects can take to promote disciplinary diversity and inclusion: know your history; understand power dynamics; listen to underrepresented voices; and operationalize disciplinary diversity and inclusion. As members of a highly interdisciplinary and diverse task force, we illustrated this framework through reflections on our shared experiences working together and the challenges and opportunities we faced.

Stakeholder perceptions of mangrove ecosystem services across scales of conservation focus.

Conservation faces a chronic shortage of resources, including time, funding, mental capacity, and human capital. Efforts to make the expenditure of these resources more efficient should, therefore, support more equitable and effective conservation prioritization. To achieve this, it is necessary to ensure the integration of the knowledge and perceptions of local stakeholders into larger scale conservation decisions. We used fuzzy cognitive mental modeling to assess the perceptions of mangroves and the prioritization of ecosystem services across 3 groups of stakeholders: representatives from 3 coastal Fijian villages, the national office of an international nongovernmental organization (NGO), and the US office of that same NGO. We found different topologies and valuations among the resultant mental models, with the US NGO office having the most terms. However, when comparing models from local villages with the US NGO office, scale-dependent perceptions shifted, including the relative devaluation of locally important cultural valuations of mangroves. Despite these variations in perceptions, however, 3 key components of the mental models-women's livelihoods, men's livelihoods, and fisheries supplementation-all appeared as consistently important in multiple models, suggesting areas around which potential collaboration among stakeholders could be forged. By focusing on system-wide, rather than stakeholder-specific, optimal solutions within the system, new opportunities for collaboration may emerge. In doing so, these system-wide solutions may increase efficiency and collaboration. Moreover, we found that boundary-spanning organizations, such as the national-level conservation organizations, played a role in facilitating information transfer and mediating conservation goals in a culturally appropriate fashion. Finally, although the specific example used here is mangrove conservation, our methodologies and findings are broadly applicable across a variety of conservation scenarios.

Youth engagement in global conservation governance.

Youth are increasingly recognized for their important role in shaping environmental decisions surrounding conservation. Regrettably, youth who are crucial decision-makers are often excluded from environmental governance spaces due to structural barriers, both economic and political. As highlighted by recent environmental justice literature, this marginalization hinders their active participation in the decision-making process. The recent publication of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Youth Strategy 2022-2030 has brought prominent environmental organizations into the debate. The IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) presents a useful example from which to understand how youth access and participate in decision-making at the highest level of governance in a prominent global conservation organization. We used event ethnography and participant observation methods to study the WCC Forum in Marseille, France (2021). We sought to examine the geopolitical intricacies of power and the underlying inequalities at the root of youth engagement, or lack thereof. We considered the IUCN's engagement with youth, outlining the process from previous resolutions and recommendations to the publication of the IUCN Youth Strategy in 2022. The results from the youth narratives we compiled showed that youth are not a monolith, that tokenism should be challenged, and that youth have agency but require support. We argue that when youth are mobilized in metalevel decision-making spaces, their engagement is stratified and unequal. We situated youth engagement in decision-making through the perspective of environmental organizations as a contribution to environmental governance and youth literature.

To crop or not to crop: Comparing whole‐image and cropped classification on a large dataset of camera trap images

AbstractCamera traps facilitate non‐invasive wildlife monitoring, but their widespread adoption has created a data processing bottleneck: a camera trap survey can create millions of images, and the labour required to review those images strains the resources of conservation organisations. AI is a promising approach for accelerating image review, but AI tools for camera trap data are imperfect; in particular, classifying small animals remains difficult, and accuracy falls off outside the ecosystems in which a model was trained. It has been proposed that incorporating an object detector into an image analysis pipeline may help address these challenges, but the benefit of object detection has not been systematically evaluated in the literature. In this work, the authors assess the hypothesis that classifying animals cropped from camera trap images using a species‐agnostic detector yields better accuracy than classifying whole images. We find that incorporating an object detection stage into an image classification pipeline yields a macro‐average F1 improvement of around 25% on a large, long‐tailed dataset; this improvement is reproducible on a large public dataset and a smaller public benchmark dataset. The authors describe a classification architecture that performs well for both whole and detector‐cropped images, and demonstrate that this architecture yields state‐of‐the‐art benchmark accuracy.

Stakeholder Perceptions of the Impact of Sinking Artificial Reefs in Bali Island Waters (Case Study: Indonesian Coral Reef Garden (ICRG) Nusa Dua, Bali)

The research conducted on coral reef conservation efforts in Bali illuminates the significant challenges facing this renowned marine tourism destination. Despite its importance, the island struggles with preserving its coral reefs, prompting the implementation of the 2020 Integrated Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program (ICRG) supported by National Economic Recovery (PEN) funds, which has primarily focused on deploying artificial reefs in Nusa Dua waters. However, with only 74.3 Ha of a potential 204 Ha restoration area addressed, there is a clear need for intensified action. Through closed questionnaires distributed to key stakeholders, including government bodies, academic institutions, tourists, and coral reef conservation organizations, it's evident that stakeholders universally recognize the importance of artificial reefs and advocate for public involvement and adherence to local customary laws in conservation efforts. Analysis of the data underscores a strong awareness among respondents, with 69% comprehensively understanding the ecological, economic, and social functions of coral reefs. Impressively, 92% express willingness to contribute towards their preservation, either through labor or financial means, with financial contributions ranging from Rp. 25,000 to Rp. 150,000 and 30% indicating a readiness to allocate 5% of their annual income to this cause. These findings highlight stakeholders' deep commitment to coral reef conservation in Bali but also stress the ongoing necessity for sustained engagement and support to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of restoration initiatives in the island's prized marine tourism destinations.

ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙНА СТУРКУТУРА ТА ЗАНОДАВЧІ ПІДСТАВИ ПАМ’ЯТОКОХОРОННОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ У СХІДНІЙ ГАЛИЧИНІ ПЕРІОДУ АВСТРО-УГОРЩИНИ

The article examines the stages of formation of the organizational structure and legislative foundations of monument protection activities in Eastern Galicia during the Austro-Hungarian period against the background of national processes. It is shown that the formation of the organizational structure in Eastern Galicia took place synchronously with the processes in Vienna and was controlled from the center. However, the peculiarity was that at the end of the 19th century. in Eastern Galicia (as well as in Western) non-governmental organizations of conservators are being formed, which actually control all local monument protection processes. It is also shown that the activities of conservation organizations focused on management issues, as well as on the problems of inventory, cataloging of architectural monuments, and publishing activities. The problems of the theory of conservators' activities, the methods of conservation and restoration works were not reflected in the documents and the activities of monument protection organizations. It was noted that the representation of the activity of the conservatives of Eastern Galicia at the national level was not significant.

Towards an Emplaced Vocabulary of Motive: Senses of Place and Land Sale Decision‐Making in the Northern Great Plains*

AbstractOne of the most remote regions in the contiguous United States, the Upper Missouri River Breaks in the Northern Great Plains of Montana is both “cattle country” and “pristine prairie”: an identity that brings repeated tension over land use. Over the last twenty years, a conservation organization with a mission to rewild the region has purchased thousands of acres of ranchland from willing sellers despite widespread agricultural community resistance. In this study, I interview those who chose to sell and those who chose to stay, and I ask how landowners justify their decisions to sell, or not sell, their land. By using what C. Wright Mills calls “vocabularies of motive,” I investigate two central questions. The first asks why a landowner would sell land against what social norms would dictate to be “right.” The second asks why a landowner would not sell land, given the perceived inevitable eventual loss of a regional agricultural livelihood. I suggest one way to understand these questions is by considering how senses of place shape what decision‐makers believe to be the most justifiable course of action. Extending the vocabulary of motive framework to include senses of place better informs the understanding of land sale decision‐making. Though deeply contextual, the themes running through this case (i.e., ongoing existential threats to the agricultural industry, booms in the buying power of private philanthropists, and decision making in socially and politically contentious spaces) are relevant to a broader understanding of shifts within agricultural communities and the ongoing perceived “battle” between production and conservation.

Comparison of Orchid Conservation Between China and Other Countries

Global attention is highly focused on biodiversity conservation. Various countries are actively implementing relevant conservation measures. To advance these efforts in China, it is essential to understand global conservation actions. The orchid family, one of the most diverse groups of flowering plants, has become a “flagship” group for plant conservation. In this study, we summarized 3418 policies and regulations related to orchid conservation in 45 countries. We found that orchid conservation actions in various countries have focused on in situ conservation, with 1469 policies and regulations issued for nature reserves, while ex situ conservation has been seriously neglected, with only seven relevant regulations. Most developing countries have experienced an increase in orchid conservation actions, while developed countries have plateaued. We amassed 370 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for orchid conservation. At present, the total number of policies and regulations for orchid protection in China is approximately 84, with 67 issued since 2000. Two non-governmental organizations have been established for orchid conservation. Although the benefit of orchid conservation in China is significant, it still requires continuous improvement compared to many other countries. We recommend that the Chinese government draws on the experiences of the United States, Canada, and Australia in areas such as policy and regulation formulation, optimization of non-governmental organizations, and implementation of related conservation projects. Through learning and collaboration, challenges can be transformed into opportunities for development.

Exceeding expectations increases satisfaction among Louisiana waterfowl hunters

AbstractLouisiana surveys waterfowl hunters every 5 years to assess hunter effort, harvest success, demographics, and preferences for proposed regulations and management practices. The 2020 Survey of Louisiana Waterfowl Hunters addressed hunter satisfaction patterns, hunter perceptions on waterfowl migration, associations of field experiences to satisfaction, associations among distribution waves, the efficacy of sample coverage by an email survey, and allowed comparison with hunter satisfaction with surveys in 2005, 2010, and 2015. We distributed a 31‐question survey by email to 73,554 Louisiana waterfowl hunters following the 2019–2020 season. We received 13,483 total responses, of which 8,218 were usable (licensed respondents actively hunting waterfowl during the 2019–2020 season), resulting in a qualified response rate of 12.0%. We compared qualified respondents to the overall population of Harvest Information Program registrants (169,891) and found no significant differences for age class, geographic distribution, and license type. Our results indicated that surveys should be distributed in 3 waves, as the number of days hunted would be overestimated by 7% (mean of 15 days [95% confidence interval = 14.7–15.7] compared to a mean of 14 days [95% confidence interval = 13.7–14.4]) by a single survey. Hunters' satisfaction was independent of which geographic zone they hunted, whether they were members of conservation organizations, or how many waterfowl were seen. Our results also indicated that the probability of greater hunter satisfaction was increased by 98% as the number of waterfowl harvested surpassed 57, by 68% for respondents reporting that their actual harvest exceeded expected harvest by at least one bird, and by 61% for respondents reporting that their actual days hunted exceeded expected days hunted by at least one day.

Developing Prototype Digital Twins for biodiversity conservation and management: achievements, challenges and perspectives

The BioDT project, funded by the European Union Horizon Europe Programme, seeks to investigate and push the boundaries of methodological, intellectual, data, technical and relevance aspects of the digital twin (DT) approach for understanding and predicting biodiversity patterns and processes. In this special issue, we present the reasoning and goals of the project and the overall advancements made towards the development of ten prototype Digital Twins (pDTs). Based on models of ecosystems, species and biological processes, digital twins integrate diverse data sources with advanced modelling and simulation techniques to provide a comprehensive, dynamic and data-driven understanding of biodiversity. Leveraging the EuroHPC LUMI infrastructure and data and expertise from GBIF, eLTER, DiSSCo and LifeWatch ERIC research infrastructures, the project aims to develop hybrid models combining the strengths of statistical and process-based models for improved predictive capabilities. While there are specific challenges and limitations to biodiversity DTs, the pDTs of BioDT lay the foundation for model-data fusions that will offer potential benefits to a wide range of end-users, from researchers and conservation organisations to policy-makers, land managers, educators and private sector companies. By fostering global interoperability in biodiversity data and research, BioDT paves the way for future collaborative efforts in biodiversity conservation and management.

The LTAR Grazing Land Common Experiment at Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed.

The Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network common experiment addresses the aspirational practice of brush management (BM) to reverse the prevailing condition of woody plant encroachment (WPE) and increase perennial native grass production. Across the western United States, the decision to implement BM includes consideration of management objectives, cost, and the expected impact on a diverse suite of ecosystem services. Maintaining or restoring grass cover will help meet the LTAR sustainable production, economic, and social goals, and averting degradation will meet environmental goals. This common experiment, focused on hydrologic and erosion impacts of BM, aims to inform land management decisions on three major plant communities in the Southwestern United States: creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), mesquite (Prosopis velutina), and pinyon-juniper (PJ, Pinus and Juniperus spp.). On the WGEW, applying tebuthiuron pellets to creosote bush increased grass cover and reduced runoff and erosion. The 2016BM experiment on the Santa Rita Experimental Range applied a commonly used liquid herbicide cocktail but achieved only 7% mortality on mesquite, probably because of the timing of the aerial application. Experiments manipulating rainfall amount and intensity on plots receiving fire, chemical, or mechanical BM treatments on PJ communities aim to improve process representation in simulation models. The deliverables of these BM experiments will be to (i) improve the performance of runoff and erosion models, (ii) enhance our ability to identify areas most at risk from reduced hydrologic function and soil erosion after shrub proliferation, and (iii) better predict how landscapes will respond to BM interventions. Ranchers, land management agencies, and watershed conservation organizations will benefit from training and availability of improved tools to focus treatments on areas where greatest net benefits might be realized.

Climate mitigation potential of natural climate solutions and clean energy on The Nature Conservancy properties in California, USA.

Natural climate solutions (NCS) and transitioning to clean energy can reduce greenhouse gases and contribute to mitigating climate change. Private landowners with large holdings, such as conservation organizations like The Nature Conservancy, have set ambitious goals to reduce net emissions and increase sequestration on their lands by implementing NCS. We assessed the potential carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) reduction from feasible NCS, specifically implementing new restoration and agricultural management activities, and transitions to clean energy on The Nature Conservancy, California chapter's fee-owned and conservation easement properties. We compared the total CO2e reduction from potential new NCS activities to the impact from ongoing NCS activities, the chapter's 2030 goal, and the state's reduction goal for natural and working lands to understand how the organization can contribute to climate mitigation. We found that implementing NCS on 37 fee-owned properties (63,175 MTCO2e year -1) and clean energy on 10 fee-owned properties (488 MTCO2e year -1) combined would not reach the chapter's 2030 goal (72,000 MTCO2e year -1), and there can be tradeoffs between maximizing CO2e reduction and protecting conservation values. However, ongoing changes to forest management on a single conservation easement property, where another non-profit harvests timber and sells carbon credits, currently contributes 147,749 MTCO2e year -1, more than two times the 2030 goal and representing 7.4% of the state's annual goal. Our results suggest that The Nature Conservancy, California chapter would need to implement NCS on some of the conservation easements or consider future land protection deals with carbon rich ecosystems or high impact NCS to reach their CO2e reduction goal.