Search

Theory of change has become a common tool in project design because it helps teams agree on hypothesized causal pathways to a desired goal and examine their underlying assumptions. Yet, a consensus has not emerged on the specific steps and components of a theory of change. What constitutes a theory of change? Using 22 theory of change publications, we did a structured analysis of the components of a theory of change. Where there was substantial agreement among the publications on a specific component of a theory of change, we included it in the first iteration of our approach. We then ordered the components in a logical sequence, developed guidance for each component, tested them with project teams, and revised them in an iterative process. We tested and refined our guidance over 3 years with 73 teams from 18 countries. Here, we share our learning and recommendations for those interested in developing a robust theory of change for a conservation project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and global inequality may require intertwined solutions forged through the frame of "Nature and equity." This timely frame responds to growing calls for conservation to deliver fair outcomes to people and offers strategic value for meeting environmental goals. To clarify how and why approaches that support nature and equity may emerge, this commentary draws on conservation efforts in five different social and political settings. Building on practitioner experiences in Australia, Chile, Kenya, Peru, and Solomon Islands, it identifies a set of equity instruments that recognize local environmental knowledge, rights, and practices, strengthen marginalized voices, and promote fair outcomes, and the enabling conditions that facilitate their use. The article concludes by discussing critical considerations for enhancing nature and equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of dam removals in the United States is expected to increase in the coming years, yet we know little about the social effects of dam removal on local people. Here we assess how two dam removals on a large river in the U.S. state of Maine changed local people's recreational use and perceptions of the river. We used focus groups and key informant interviews to define stakeholders' social areas of interest, conducted randomized phone surveys 5 years apart to measure changes in these areas of interest, and utilized a difference‐in‐differences technique corroborated by key informant interviews to analyze the results. Five years after dam removal, perceptions of water quality, swimming, paddling, fishing, and wildlife viewing increased, and the percentage of people saying the river was part of their family's life increased. Participation in walking/hiking also increased, but participation in boat fishing decreased, and the frequency of canoeing/kayaking declined. The observed effects were confirmed by ex‐post key informant interviews. Additional studies are needed to understand the full range of social effects from dam removals and river restoration activities and to improve our general understanding of the social aspects of ecological restoration activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]