Catie Boehmer

Conservation Finance: Hope for the future but a high bar for access

July 3, 2024

This June, I had the privilege to participate in the Conservation Finance Network’s (CFN) annual bootcamp, which has been running since 2007 and is designed to increase the ability of conservation professionals to apply innovative and effective funding and financing strategies to their work. Over the course of the week, I was introduced to a wide variety of funding opportunities and tools, many of which can be blended (or “mushed,” as our friend Peter Stein often says) to ultimately activate lots of different dollars for land and natural resource conservation.

I was blown away by the wealth of options, from federal grant programs to forest carbon markets to payments for ecosystem services. I was also a little overwhelmed by the complexity of many of the opportunities—especially those with the highest returns. As I listened to different experts and heard about case studies from across the U.S., the possibilities both excited and discouraged me. Many of these financing mechanisms, and the processes for accessing and mobilizing them, felt like they’d be out of reach for the community- and Tribal-led groups with whom my own work so often intersects.

Sometimes that inaccessibility is driven by how funds are allocated (or not). For example, the Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program awarded a total of $5.5 million in its latest round of grants, but less than $500,000 of those funds when to Tribes. Sometimes, inaccessibility is a function of how much capacity a group needs to apply for funds. With something like the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership program, the application often takes up to a year to complete and may require ongoing consultation with overextended federal employees or expensive consultants—with no guarantee of funding at the finish line. Other times, grants require a match to be eligible, or impact investors want to see a group demonstrate existing assets to offset liability. With all these funding options, a would-be recipient needs significant time, expertise, and relationships to be competitive, and even when those stars align, you’re up against dozens of other fund-seekers for a limited pool of resources.

Despite these barriers, I did come away from the bootcamp feeling hopeful for the future of funding conservation in new, different, and better ways. Leigh Whelpton, with Connecticut Green Bank, reflected on how innovative policy approaches can animate dollars for conservation. One example that stood out to me was the state of Connecticut’s ongoing efforts to create “resiliency improvement districts” via a ballot measure, which would deploy tax revenues toward assessments, data collection, and project implementation to address community-level climate change vulnerabilities. The measure did not pass in the most recent election, but its advocates have not given up. In the meantime, decision-makers must continue to consider how the inherently tax-base-dependent benefits of these districts can also be realized in less affluent communities (e.g., wealthy communities pay more in taxes, so a new tax will generate more dollars for those communities and less dollars for lower-income communities), who are typically more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

A trend toward “community navigator” programs was also highlighted: groups with a combination of capacity, expertise, and strong frontline relationships are stepping in to ensure Tribes, Indigenous groups, and other community-led entities have an equitable opportunity to access funding resources.

The First National Development Institute, for example, is partnering with the Forest Service to increase Tribes’ access to Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and related Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) programs and opportunities. Outside of the bootcamp, I’ve also recently encountered others stepping into this navigator role. Native Americans in Philanthropy is supporting Tribal-led applicants to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is creating a position to support groups seeking funding for conservation work in the Rio Grande.

It also gave me hope to see that I wasn’t the only person in attendance with the goal of creating a multiplier effect for the resources and expertise showcased at the bootcamp, and that CFN is recruiting and supporting participants with that intention. The Walton Family Foundation and Global Conservation Solutions were just a few of the other organizations represented at the bootcamp with the same purpose of learning more to better support their grantees and clients.

My own goal in participating was to deepen my knowledge about conservation finance so that I can ultimately re-deploy that expertise for the benefit of the Salazar Center’s Peregrine Accelerator participants. By introducing them to new funding opportunities via our curriculum and connecting them with some of the other experts I met through the bootcamp, they will be better prepared to pursue, diversify, and maximize dollars for their on-the-ground conservation solutions. It’s a privilege to serve as this kind of conveyance for the incredible groups whose work we support through the Peregrine Accelerator. As I look to the field more broadly, I’m excited that we’re now part a growing network of like-minded organizations that are navigating—and empowering others to navigate—a complex and changing funding landscape, no matter what it looks like.

Emily Barbo

Juneteenth: Celebrating Black Environmental Leaders and Their Legacy

June 14, 2024

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks a pivotal moment in American history when the last enslaved African Americans were emancipated in 1865. As we honor this day of freedom and reflection, we reflect on the contributions of Black leaders who have shaped and continue to shape the environmental movement. From pioneering conservationists who have dedicated their lives to protecting natural landscapes to tireless advocates for environmental justice who strive to ensure equitable access to clean air, water, and land, these influential figures remind us that the fight for justice extends beyond social and economic realms into the very fabric of our environment. Join us as we celebrate the achievements and legacies of just a few remarkable individuals who have driven change for a more sustainable future for us all.

Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali
Environmental justice leader and Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation

Dr. Ali has been a prominent figure in the environmental justice movement for decades. He was the Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His work addresses environmental and health disparities in marginalized communities, advocating for policies prioritizing equity and community empowerment. He works with several Fortune 500 companies as they journey towards becoming 21st-century organizations, focused on integrating justice and equity into their respective programs, policies, and activities. Dr. Ali participated in the Center’s 2020 International Symposium, giving a keynote address on climate resilience, environmental justice, community revitalization, and how we can shift our cities from “surviving to thriving.”

MaVynee Betsch
Environmentalist and activist

Known affectionately as the “Beach Lady,” MaVynee Betsch was a passionate environmentalist and advocate for African American heritage preservation. She descended from a long line of community leaders: her great-grandfather, A.L. Lewis, founded the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, becoming Florida’s first Black millionaire. She dedicated her life to preserving American Beach, a historic African American community in Florida, and raising awareness about environmental issues affecting minority communities. Former Florida Senator Bill Nelson described Betsch as “a recognized leader in preserving land and history in the South.” She campaigned against the development of “NaNa Dune,” part of the tallest dune system of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, which the National Park Service now owns. Her activism inspired generations to protect natural and cultural heritage.

Dr. Robert Bullard
Founding director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice and distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy at Texas Southern University

As a distinguished urban planning and environmental policy professor at Texas Southern University, Dr. Bullard has pioneered research on environmental justice and race. He is the author of eighteen books that address environmental racism, urban land use, housing, transportation, sustainability, smart growth, climate justice, and community resilience. and is often called the “Father of Environmental Justice.” Dr. Bullard’s work has influenced policymaking and raised awareness about the intersection of race, poverty, and the environment.

Majora Carter
Urban revitalization strategy consultant, real estate developer, MacArthur Fellow, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster

Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategist known for her pioneering work in sustainable development and environmental justice. She founded Sustainable South Bronx, an organization focused on green job creation and community development. She wrote a successful $1.25M Federal Transportation planning grant to design the South Bronx Greenway – an 11-mile network of bike and pedestrian paths that connects neighborhoods to the riverfront, local entrepreneurship opportunities, and active living features that improve public health and reduce traffic congestion. Her initiatives have transformed marginalized urban areas into thriving, environmentally sustainable communities, demonstrating the potential for inclusive green development.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab

With a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Dr. Johnson’s work spans marine conservation, policy, and climate change. She co-founded Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank focused on coastal cities, and is a co-creator of the All We Can Save Project, amplifying the voices of women climate leaders. Recently, she co-authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Her next book, “What if We Get It Right?” which will be published this summer, is a collection of interviews with leaders from various fields about promising climate possibilities. Dr. Johnson advocates for marine conservation with a social justice lens, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in environmental conversations.

Vanessa Nakate
Climate justice activist and Founder of Rise Up Climate Movement

Vanessa Nakate’s conservation leadership began with a small protest on the streets of Kampala to draw attention to the climate emergency and destruction of the Congo Rainforest. As her message spread across Uganda and beyond, she founded the Rise Up Movement, to amplify the voices of activists from across Africa. In 2022, she was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has addressed world leaders at multiple climate summits. At the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, she urged delegates to put people first instead of profits, to make polluters pay, to cancel debt and direct climate finance toward the most vulnerable countries that did not create the climate crisis, while making sure fossil fuels are not part of their development. Her activism has brought attention to the voices of young activists from the Global South and the need for urgent action on climate change.

Dr. Jacqueline Patterson
Senior Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program and Founder and Executive Director of The Chisholm Legacy Project

Dr. Patterson leads the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program, advocating for policies addressing environmental and climate injustices. She focuses on the disproportionate impacts of pollution and climate change on marginalized communities, working to amplify their voices in policy discussions. She named her organization after Shirley Chisholm to reflect her intersectional approach. The first Black woman elected to Congress strongly advocated uniting fragmented social movements. Dr. Patterson’s work highlights the interconnectedness of environmental issues with social justice and human rights. “Economy, food, housing, transit—all of these are civil rights issues,” she says. “And climate issues intersect with every single one.”

Dr. Samuel Ramsey
Founder and director of The Ramsey Research Foundation, Professor of entomology, and National Geographic Explorer

Described as “your friendly neighborhood entomologist,” Dr. Ramsey is the endowed professor of entomology at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he teaches about effective communication and how understanding the deep interconnectedness of all organisms can solve real-world problems. He is also the founder of The Ramsey Research Foundation, which conducts cutting-edge, novel research on issues affecting pollinator health globally — including parasite spread, disease management, and habitat preservation. He has utilized his exceptional skillset working in academia, industry, and government — including alongside the U.S. Supreme Court, House of Representatives, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Dorceta Taylor
Scholar, professor at the Yale School for the Environment, and environmental sociologist

Dr. Taylor is a professor at the Yale School of the Environment and a leading scholar in environmental sociology. Her research examines the social dimensions of environmental issues, focusing on racial and gender disparities in access to resources and environmental decision-making. Her most recent book, The Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection, was published in 2016 during the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service. The book examines how conservation ideas and politics are tied to social dynamics such as racism, classism, and gender discrimination. Dr. Taylor’s work sheds light on the lack of diversity in environmental organizations and offers insights into creating more inclusive environmental movements.

Leah Thomas
Environmental writer and intersectional environmental activist

Known as the “GreenGirlLeah,” Leah Thomas is a prominent voice in the intersectional environmental movement. She uses her platform to advocate for environmental justice and inclusivity in the outdoors. She co-founded “Intersectional Environmentalist,” a platform that promotes diversity and equity in the environmental movement. As a Daughters For Earth Advisory Circle member, a new campaign to mobilize women worldwide to support and fund women-led efforts to protect and restore the Earth, she advocates for everyone to join in the fight against climate change. Her work emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic inequalities to achieve environmental sustainability.

Catie Boehmer

Five years of Symposia: Reflecting on how we got to where we are today

September 13, 2023

The Salazar Center is preparing to host its annual International Symposium on Conservation Impact next month (there’s still time to register!), and I have the unique perspective of being part of every symposia to date.

A lot has happened in the past five years—within the Center itself, with regard to climate change and biodiversity loss and inequity in North America, and in my own work as part of this team—so when I was asked to reflect on the history of this event, how it’s evolved, and what connections have sprung up across years and programs, I struggled at first. What could I say that captured five years’ worth of convenings that were shaped not only by our growth as an organization but also by a global pandemic and significant political and cultural upheaval across the continent?

Then I landed on a microcosm of this year’s event: the breakout sessions, and specifically the session focused on cities and urban environments. This session, which will take place on the second day of the symposium, connects a lot of the dots for me and represents not only the evolution of our convening, but the ways that the work happening in our network is evolving and growing.

In 2020, the symposium focused on innovative conservation, equity, and resilience efforts across North American’s urban areas. It also served as the launching pad for our Thriving Cities Challenge, which ultimately awarded more than half a million dollars to 15 grassroots project teams across the continent who were working to implement nature-based solutions and deliver community benefits at the intersection of climate resilience, equity, and urban green space.

It was also announced at the 2020 symposium that the Center would enter into an unprecedented partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation in order to support the city’s efforts to increase community resiliency, urban habitat, and equitable access to green space; this partnership has since resulted in pilot funding for a CSU-led research effort that will culminate next year.

The urban-focused breakout session this year will bring the topic of nature-based solutions in cities back into focus for the Center, which is a testament to the importance of this conversation in driving a sustainable and equitable future for North America, and the strength of the relationships that we cultivated in our earlier work.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of reconnecting with colleagues at Groundwork USA and the Trust for Public Land when the Doris Duke Foundation (who’s also a sponsor of this year’s event) convened a small group of its previous grantees who’d run programs that re-granted monies for urban nature work, like our Thriving Cities Challenge. These colleagues, in turn, connected us with two of the experts who will help lead the urban breakout session, Jeremy Hoffman and Jessica Montoya.

With an eye toward making sure we have expert practitioners in the room for that breakout session, too, we’re bringing many of our Thriving Cities grantees to Denver for the event, creating a unique opportunity to these teams to meet in person after participating in a capacity-building program that was run entire virtually and to have a dedicated space to continue conversations that began in 2021.

Denver Parks and Recreation, another 2023 symposium sponsor, will also be sending some of their Green Corps members to the event so that they can participate in the urban breakout session.

This is one of the things about what we do at the Center that deeply energizes me and keeps me coming back day after day: we are all in this together, across sectors and years and geographical boundaries; you only have to tug lightly on one thread to see and feel that it’s deeply interwoven with an incredible community of partners and their work—and I can’t wait to see what new stitches will be sewn at our 2023 symposium and become part of this dynamic, inspiring tapestry in the years to come.

Learn more about the International Symposium on Conservation Impact and register to join experts from across sectors and the continent as we discuss a nature-positive future for North America.