For most, “conservation” conjures the notion of minimising human presence on wildlands to avoid harmful impacts. But too often, this defensive approach has pitted local communities against conservationists, wasting opportunities for collaboration and setting the stage for ongoing conflict. One conservation approach turns that paradigm on its head, and instead connects conservation with the well-being of human communities, setting both up for success. Called “Full Nature,” this approach, pioneered by conservationist Ignacio Jiménez, seeks to promote fully functional natural landscapes that are tied to the basic needs of the communities in their midst. They become a self-sustaining cycle, where nature and people are integrated ecologically, socially, and politically. Effective Conservation is based on Jiménez’s experience managing conservation projects on three continents over thirty years. Jiménez offers a pragmatic approach to conservation that puts the focus on working with people, neighbours, governments, politicians, businesses, media, to ensure they have a long-term stake in protecting and restoring parks and wildlife. Jiménez guides readers through the practical considerations of designing, analysing, and managing effective conservation programmes. Chapters explore intelligence gathering, communication, planning, conflict management, and evaluation techniques, and include numerous text boxes showcasing examples of successful conservation projects from all texts, and links to additional resources. This highly readable manual provides a ground-breaking and time-proven formula for successful conservation projects around the world that bring together parks, people, and nature.

"An extraordinary book…. A coherent, insightful, easily understood manual for designing and managing conservation projects specific to local development situations…. It will become a classic reference in the years to come." - Choice

"Effective Conservation is a useful book—rich in cases illustrating how it can be done in the face of opposition and the inertia of endless growth…. This is a book that belongs in every conservation practitioners’ library, in grad school classes and programs, and in NGOs." - Biological Conservation

"A highly readable manual that provides a groundbreaking and time-proven formula for successful conservation projects around the world that bring together parks, people, and nature …. Effective Conservation: Parks, Rewilding, and Local Development is an ideal and practical combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual that is highly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Environmental & Conservation collections." - Midwest Book Review

"Throughout, what will particularly interest field naturalists, are very brief descriptions of efforts to restore endangered species and the longer outlines of back-from-the-brink case histories…. Important points are made throughout this important book, all of which are worth thinking about right now." - Canadian Field Naturalist