Participants formed strong connections over the two-week course. Photo credit: Niki Gribi

This summer, CSF kicked off a new partnership with the University of California Berkeley at our 18th annual International Economic Tools for Conservation course. Together with the College of Natural Resources’ International and Executive Programs (IEP), we hosted 20 dedicated conservation professionals from 15 countries around the world. This incredible, bright group of people came from 18 different organizations including GEF World Bank, The Nature Conservancy, WWF, Rare, and UNEP to learn how economics can contribute to effective conservation strategies.

View of Berkeley. Photo credit: Gerson Morales

"The economic tools for conservation course has been one of the most productive courses I have ever taken because of the applicable knowledge gained and the excellent opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned with international people."
– Gerson Morales, Guatemala, WWF MAR

"In the last two weeks I have discovered not only that economics is a major factor when the government is making decisions about natural resources, but also how almost every country in the world faces similar problems. Sharing many different experiences with participants from all around the world who are facing the same problems we have back in South America made me aware of how the economics and the valuation of resources is a useful framework for thinking about the environment in every society. This will be the fuel to keep me learning and searching for solutions."
– Liliana Navarrete, Peru, Private Law Firm

Participants tackle a Cost-Benefit Analysis case-study exercise. Photo credit: Niki Gribi

Participants received an intensive, two-week crash-course in our core curriculm: Microeconomics, Natural Resource Economics, Environmental Policy and Valuation, and Cost-Benefit Analysis. Talented instructors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Hawai’i-Manoa, the University of California Davis, and our partners at UC Berkeley, as well as CSF staff gave lectures and led exercises and games designed to deliver a useful combination of theory and practical knowledge. Each participant came away with a clear understanding of how economic, environmental, and social issues are intertwined.

Participants playing a simulated market game. Photo credit: Niki Gribi

"The course enabled me to catch up on a decade of "economics in conservation" within a span of just two weeks! And the excellent and passionate teaching style of all the instructors made it quite fun for a biologist like me."
– Mohamed Bakarr, USA/Sierra Leone, GEF World Bank

"The experience from this course is immeasurable and definitely leaves me in a better position to make a significant contribution to environmental management in Uganda and the world at large. The knowledge and skills imparted by CSF have really transformed my thinking about environmental economics and how it relates to development programs. I, now more than ever, believe that it's time for environmentalists to work closely with other professionals and economists to create the impact that we all desire - a clean and healthy environment."
– Carol Kagaba Kairumba, Uganda, Ministry of Water and Environment

Instructor David Johnson of the University of Wisconsin - Madison with J. Keith Gilles, Dean of UC Berkeley's College of Natural Resources. Photo credit: Niki Gribi

Participants live and work together in a close-knit group for the duration of the course. In forming their own community over meals, homework, and late-night dance parties, important professional relationships and lifelong friendships are created. Thanks to our partners at IEP, participants also had opportunities to meet and network with UC Berkley faculty and students in the Masters of Development Practice program.

Participants playing a card game after class. Photo credit: Niki Gribi

"I enjoyed the course immensely and had fun. What I learned will help me to be more critical when economic/market/development information is presented to me, to have a more comprehensive and objective view and hopefully to ask more appropriate questions to analyze alternatives. Thank you CSF for the opportunity and wonderful work!"
– Natalie Rodriguez Dowdell, Mexico, Rare

"It's really incredible that a two week course can improve my ability to understand and use economic tools to achieve conservation goals. With a really straight forward and pragmatic analysis, it is possible to ask the right questions and understand who are going to be the winners and losers in environmental decisions and, most importantly, at what cost!"
– Daniel Venturi, Brazil, WWF

Our group at Tilden Nature Park. Photo credit: Anonymous

We also made time to explore Berkeley and the surrounding Bay Area with trips to the UC Botanical Garden, Tilden Park, Muir Woods, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. Some participants also visited the famous wine country of Napa Valley.

Playing soccer in the evening. Photo credit: Niki Gribi

"I gained a basic understanding and newfound appreciation of economics and how applicable it is in everyday life. I now understand the value and the role of economics in mitigating environmental degradation."
– Jaclyn Eng, Singapore, Yayasan IAR Indonesia

"The drivers of social and environmental impacts are found in the economic and political forces that shape our leaders' decisions. CSF provides a bridge for environmental professionals to engage in higher quality dialogue and help produce better informed discussions and decisions."
– Antonio Werneck, Brazil, TNC

Participants at the graduation party. Photo credit: Anonymous

Many thanks to our partners at IEP and our hard-working volunteers for helping us deliver important knowledge and experiences to people working to promote sustainable development around the world.