Prioritizing NATURE

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Course features

LIVE INSTRUCTION FROM: Dr. Jennifer McGowan and Prof. Hugh Possingham
COURSE DURATION: 2 weeks, with 1.5 hr live session per week
TIME COMMITMENT: Approximately 6 hours total
DATES: Aug 5-16 or Aug 21- Sept 4, depending on your time zone
STYLE: Mixed cohort, prep work, live instruction
SPECIAL PRICING: $700 (see below for additional pricing options)

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Concepts of decision-science for nature - a 101
Cognitive traps and shortcuts
Common mistakes in priority setting - we all do it!
The "slide of life" - a framework for thinking about any decision you need to make....EVER!
Introduction to the different tools you can use to structure decisions for biodiversity (e.g. multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), cost-benefit analysis, cost- effectiveness and cost-utility)
We will also introduce value of information theory, systematic conservation planning, and optimization approaches to spatial planning

WHAT YOU WILL GET

3+ hours of live instruction
1 bonus office hour (small groups)
1 year access to course materials
Discounts and special promotions on future courses
Private access to the Nature Matters Community and Events

COHORT 1: AUG 5-16 (AMERICAS & ASIA PACIFIC)

Live Sessions will be Thursdays August 7 and 14, at 1pm PST (the equivalent of Fridays August 8th and 15th, at 6am AEST)

COHORT 2: Aug 21 - Sept 4 (Europe, Africa & Asia Pacific)

Live Sessions will be Mondays August 25 and September 1st, at 9am CET/5pm AEST

$700 USD ~~$850~~

Enroll below to take advantage of this early bird rate!

$500 USD ~~$650~~

Please request this special rate below. You will receive a coupon code to use at checkout.

$500 USD ~~$650~~

Please request this special rate below. You will receive a coupon code to use at checkout.

$550 USD ~~$700~~

Please request this special rate below. You will receive a coupon code to use at checkout.

$350 USD ~~$500~~

Please request this special rate below. You will receive a coupon code to use at checkout.

We can’t do everything all at once, everywhere. Yet, most of us have never been trained in how to make and prioritize decisions.

This course will train you in the art and science of “prioritization” to help you be more efficient in your work and more effective in your outcomes.

Pulling from the field of decision-science for conservation, we will work through relevant, thought provoking activities and lectures that will reshape how and why you make decisions.

This course will benefit everyone, from students to professionals, and will enroll on a rolling basis until full or the closing date.

We can’t do everything all at once, everywhere. Yet, most of us have never been trained in how to make and prioritize decisions.

This course will train you in the art and science of “prioritization” to help you be more efficient in your work and more effective in your outcomes.

Pulling from the field of decision-science for conservation, we will work through relevant, thought provoking activities and lectures that will reshape how and why you make decisions.

This course will benefit everyone, from students to professionals, and will enroll on a rolling basis until full or the closing date.

Jennifer brings 15+ years of experience in decision science, strategy design, and spatial planning to solve for conservation challenges. She serves as the Global Managing Director of the world’s most impactful conservation planning software - Marxan – an optimization tool that has planned over 5% of the planet for nature. She currently directs a large international partnership focused on democratizing access to data, tools, and theory needed to reverse biodiversity loss through improved spatial planning and decision-making. Prior to her current roles, Jennifer was a global strategy and spatial scientist at The Nature Conservancy where she worked closely with finance, policy, and corporate engagement teams. Jennifer has over 40 peer-reviewed publications in the field of conservation science which have been covered by BBC Environment, The Economist, Vice, National Geographic, and more. Jennifer has trained over 2500 people across 50 countries from the Galapagos to Papua New Guinea in conservation planning theory and decision science.

Hugh currently serves as the Chief Scientist of Accounting for Nature, Vice President and Board Member of Birdlife Australia and is a Lead Councillor on Australia’s Biodiversity Council. He is the former Chief Scientist of Queensland, Australia and The Nature Conservancy. He is best known for his work in conservation biology, applied ecology, and basic ecology theory including population ecology. He is also a Professor of Mathematics, Professor of Zoology and an ARC Laureate Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Queensland. He loves birds.

Jennifer brings 15+ years of experience in decision science, strategy design, and spatial planning to solve for conservation challenges. She serves as the Global Managing Director of the world’s most impactful conservation planning software - Marxan – an optimization tool that has planned over 5% of the planet for nature. She currently directs a large international partnership focused on democratizing access to data, tools, and theory needed to reverse biodiversity loss through improved spatial planning and decision-making. Prior to her current roles, Jennifer was a global strategy and spatial scientist at The Nature Conservancy where she worked closely with finance, policy, and corporate engagement teams. Jennifer has over 40 peer-reviewed publications in the field of conservation science which have been covered by BBC Environment, The Economist, Vice, National Geographic, and more. Jennifer has trained over 2500 people across 50 countries from the Galapagos to Papua New Guinea in conservation planning theory and decision science.

Hugh currently serves as the Chief Scientist of Accounting for Nature, Vice President and Board Member of Birdlife Australia and is a Lead Councillor on Australia’s Biodiversity Council. He is the former Chief Scientist of Queensland, Australia and The Nature Conservancy. He is best known for his work in conservation biology, applied ecology, and basic ecology theory including population ecology. He is also a Professor of Mathematics, Professor of Zoology and an ARC Laureate Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Queensland. He loves birds.

Prioritizing NATURE

This course is designed to help you think differently about decision-making for nature and people. We will train you in the art and science of “prioritization” to help you be more efficient in your work and more effective in your outcomes as we build a Nature Positive Future.

Our 2025 Cohorts have closed. Please join our community to receive updates when 2026 cohorts open! We hope to see you soon.

Professional in High-Income Country

Professional in Low- to Middle-Income Country

Former US Public Servant (RIF)

Academic/NGO in High-Income Country

Academic/NGO in Low- to Middle-Income Country

We have a limited window of opportunity to drive the IMPACT we need towards a Nature Positive future.

We have a limited window of opportunity to drive the IMPACT we need towards a Nature Positive future.

Dr. Jennifer McGowan

Prof. Hugh Possingham

Dr. Jennifer McGowan

Prof. Hugh Possingham

Ready to learn how you can prioritize NATURE in your work and life?

Questions? Reach out to hello@naturematters.earth.