Report for Conservation & Climate Funders

As conservation funders, we need to ensure that our financial investments remain durable and sustainable in the long-term given the impacts of climate change.

Managing Risks to Conservation Investments Through Climate Adaptation is a report written by funders for funders. The climate is changing, and so should your conservation investment strategies. Learn how to make climate-smart grants and build the capacity of grantees in a changing world.


Guide for JMA Applicants

A critical co-benefit to adaptation that the Climate Adaptation Fund prioritizes is the mitigation of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. WCS views Joint Mitigation and Adaptation (JMA) projects as an important pathway to help wildlife and ecosystems adapt to climate change while simultaneously providing emissions reductions through methods like carbon sequestration.

By encouraging more on-the-ground JMA projects, the Climate Adaptation Fund strives to break down the barriers between two seemingly separate fields of practice and maximize the outcomes of climate-related investments. This guide contains responses to FAQs about JMA for applicants who choose to apply in this category and want to learn more about this exciting arena.


Embracing Change Report

Climate Change may undermine the effectiveness of current efforts to conserve wildlife and ecosystems. In this report we offer examples of how conservationists are strategically altering their approaches to keep pace with climate change. We break down the changes made by 12 featured organizations by WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY.

Our hope is that this report will help conservationists learn how to move beyond business-as-usual conservation approaches and make their work climate informed.

More reports and guides from the Climate Adaptation Fund

14 Solutions to Problems Climate Change Poses for ConservationDescribes several climate-driven problems that are projected to affect, or are already affecting, particular wildlife species and ecosystems, and solutions that conservation groups are im…

14 Solutions to Problems Climate Change Poses for Conservation

Describes several climate-driven problems that are projected to affect, or are already affecting, particular wildlife species and ecosystems, and solutions that conservation groups are implementing to help plants and animals respond and adapt.

Monitoring & Evaluation GuideA brief summary of current thinking on the monitoring and evaluation of climate adaptation projects and point readers toward additional resources.

Monitoring & Evaluation Guide

A brief summary of current thinking on the monitoring and evaluation of climate adaptation projects and point readers toward additional resources.

Strategic Communications GuideStrategic communications are vital to improving conservation outcomes. This guide presents a step-by-step guide on why and how to incorporate strategic communications actions into your project.

Strategic Communications Guide

Strategic communications are vital to improving conservation outcomes. This guide presents a step-by-step guide on why and how to incorporate strategic communications actions into your project.

2022 Applicant Guidance Document

Learn the specific funding criteria of Climate Adaptation Fund.

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“Our entire organization’s approach to conservation planning has changed by WCS’s
grant process alone. We now incorporate climate science and adaptation into our
projects and the prioritization of our work.”
— Bob McCready, former Deputy Coordinator, Playa Lakes Joint Venture

Photo: Brian Slobe