The GSAP identified a set of actions for each GBF target to achieve species conservation outcomes and provides a set of technical tools and resources for each of the action. The GSAP SKILLS Knowledge Hub supports species conservation practitioners and users to access all these tools and resources easily on this platform. All tools and resources are updated regularly. Please search for the tools and resources here.
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GSAP Primary Tools and Resources
Primary tools and resources are those of most relevance to achievement of the GSAP recommended actions and sub-actions for each of the Global Biodiversity Framework target. For each of the Primary tools and resources, there is a short description, advice on use, and a link to more detailed information. New primary tools and resources will be added regularly.
Guidelines for rewilding
These guidelines offer both a call for change and general guidance for users. The following five guidelines, adapted from the ten guiding principles for rewilding (Carver et al., 2021), provide a foundation for understanding and taking action to prevent further losses in nature, promote the recovery of biodiversity, and support the restoration of ecological integrity.
Guidelines on harvesting threatened species
Societies around the globe harvest wild species, to a greater or lesser extent, for food, building materials, healthcare, medicines, pest control, ornamentation, income, recreation, and cultural and spiritual purposes. While this use of wild species directly contributes to the well-being of billions of people globally, over-exploitation of wild species is one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss. The IUCN Guidelines on harvesting threatened species advise decision-makers on whether, how and what to harvest to ensure the sustainable use of threatened animal, plant and fungal species. Drawing on insights from the IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment, they complement and expand on existing guidance and tools, such as the Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of IUCN Red List Data in Harvesting of Threatened Species and recent CITES guidance on the conduct of Non-Detriment Findings.
The Franklinia Foundation – for Conservation Threatened Trees
The Franklinia Foundation is a private foundation under Swiss law established in 2005 that provides financial support for nature conservation projects. Its objective is to ensure the conservation of threatened tree species throughout the world and to improve their conservation status.
Connectivity 101: Ecological connectivity for people and planet
Connectivity 101 is a free, self-paced course provided by the Wildlife Connect Initiative – a partnership of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC), IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas – Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG), and Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), designed with UNDP’s Learning for Nature.
Connectivity 101 teaches the basics of ecological connectivity conservation. The course will present general and replicable best practices for connectivity conservation and context-sensitive case studies worldwide. The course will focus on an audience of conservation practitioners but will also be accessible to a general audience. A certificate will be awarded to those who complete the course. Currently, the course is offered in English. Translations to other UN languages may be available in the future.
GSAP Other Tools and Resources
GSAP other tools and resources are other relevant resources to the GSAP recommended actions and sub-actions but are applicable to a more limited range of situations or smaller subsets of species.
Improving the protection of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl population in Eastern Serbia
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is the world’s largest owl and a vital predatory bird ensuring ecosystem balance by controlling rodent and other small mammal populations. Despite protection under international and national laws, it faces threats from human disturbances such as habitat loss, electrocution, poisoning, and cultural persecution, leading to population decline. In Europe and Serbia, a lack of nesting sites and essential data on its distribution and habits further complicate conservation.
This pilot project in Eastern Serbia aims to conserve this species using field research, modern technology (GPS tracking devices, audio and video monitoring), and educational activities across five sites in Sokobanja, Zaječar, and Knjaževac. Providing support to five known nesting areas and limiting disturbance by visitors through remote surveillance, as well as directly involving the local community in conservation through workshops and campaigns, all ensure long term results in Eurasian Eagle-Owl protection in Eastern Serbia.
Safeguarding long-term conservation of birds of prey in the Fruška Gora National Park
The supplementary feeding station for birds of prey in Fruška Gora National Park is crucial for birds of prey, especially during the winter. However, the operationality of the feeding site has been suspended in the past few years, as it was no longer possible to provide pig carcasses from local farms due to appearance of the African swine fever in Serbia.
The project provided a solution for the long-term sustainable operation of the feeding site through the use of a terrain vehicle with a trailer for the transport of larger cattle carcasses. Additionally, a video surveillance system with an integrated species recognition software facilitates the monitoring of species at supplementary feeding station. The National Park staff, in collaboration with the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, conducted raptor field monitoring activities, as well as capacity building activities for rangers and stakeholders for responding to emergencies involving birds of prey and education activities in nine primary schools in the area.
World-First Jaguar-Protection Insurance in Misiones, Argentina: Protecting wildlife and supporting livestock farmers
The jaguar (yaguareté) is the largest feline in the Americas and a national symbol in Argentina, yet fewer than 250 remain nationwide, about 90 in Misiones. Habitat loss and declining prey have increased jaguar predation on livestock and pets, harming farmer’s income and driving retaliatory killings. To transform conflict into coexistence, the Government of Misiones, UNDP (BIOFIN and IRFF), the insurer Río Uruguay Seguros, and the NGO Aves Argentinas developed the world’s first jaguar-protection insurance.
Purchased by the province of Misiones and offered free of charge to residents, the insurance provides prompt compensation to producers for verified jaguar predation. Launched in April 2025, the scheme verified five claims in its pilot phase in Comandante Andresito and has since expanded to other municipalities affected by human–jaguar conflict. By protecting rural livelihoods, the insurance discourages retaliation and protects the jaguar.
Integrated river restoration and community stewardship to protect the Critically Endangered Tradouw Redfin
This Solution applies integrated river restoration and community stewardship to reduce key threats to the Critically Endangered Tradouw Redfin in the Huis River, South Africa. It combines invasive alien plant clearing, targeted riparian restoration, water-saving measures and community awareness to improve habitat quality and river resilience.
The approach addresses habitat degradation, invasive vegetation, water pressure and limited local awareness. By restoring riparian structure and coordinating action through a multi-agency Tradouw Redfin Working Group, the project improved river health indicators, restored critical habitat and strengthened long-term protection for the species through a formal Species Action Plan.
Agricultural support, biodiversity, and trade
At World Trade Organization (WTO), the key characteristic according to which support to agricultural producers is classified is their ability to distort international trade rather than their incidence and impacts on social or environmental dimensions. There is a lack of studies and analytical framework to guide policy decisions, such as understanding how specific support, in general, and in different agricultural sub-sectors, are linked to biodiversity, economic, social, and trade outcomes. In this context, our work contributes to filling this gap. We originally combined several data sources on support to agricultural producers (different types), land use (and notably the supported harvested cropland area), threats to species, and international trade.
IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4
The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 assesses 271 natural and mixed World Heritage sites. Complementing the official monitoring processes under the World Heritage Convention, the World Heritage Outlook offers the most in-depth analyses of threats facing natural World Heritage around the world and their protection and management status. It is based on the knowledge of hundreds of experts, site managers and partners and presents the main results for 2025, but also some longer-term trends based on the four data sets now available.
Guidelines for rewilding
These guidelines offer both a call for change and general guidance for users. The following five guidelines, adapted from the ten guiding principles for rewilding (Carver et al., 2021), provide a foundation for understanding and taking action to prevent further losses in nature, promote the recovery of biodiversity, and support the restoration of ecological integrity.
Best practice guidelines for orangutan wild-to-wild translocation
Determining whether wild-to-wild translocation is an appropriate action requires sound assessment of an individual orangutan’s characteristics, the circumstances surrounding its detection, and in-depth analysis to identify suitable release habitats. This guidance document follows the precautionary principle in prioritising the in situ protection of wild orangutans and their forest habitats, whether large tracts or small fragments. This document helps users determine if wild-to-wild translocation is appropriate for their specific circumstances.
Other Ressources from IUCN
These are other relevant resources from IUCN Library system that can be used and referenced for the implementation of GSAP recommended actions and sub-actions.
Strengthening what works : recognising and supporting the conservation achievements of indigenous peoples and local communities
This Briefing Note is intended to assist countries and policy-makers to recognise and support ICCAs (territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities) in a manner that is sensitive to and respectful of the many issues involved. It contains the basic facts about ICCAs, condenses and presents the lessons learned and offers recommendations for governments implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA). This Briefing Note also provides concise Dos and Don’ts for governments and civil society committed to sustaining ICCAs’ immense benefits for conservation and livelihoods.
Renforcer ce qui fonctionne : reconnaître et soutenir les peuples autochtones et les communautés locales dans leurs exploits de conservation
Cette note d’information a pour objet d’aider les pays à reconnaître et à soutenir les territoires et les aires du patrimoine conservés par les peuples autochtones et les communautés locales (APAC), en restant sensibles et respectueux des nombreuses questions en cause. Elle contient des éléments de base sur les APAC ainsi qu’un condensé de leçons apprises, et des recommandations pour les gouvernements qui mettent en oeuvre le Programme de travail de la CDB sur les Aires protégées (PoWPA).
Guidance and toolkit for impact assessments in a World Heritage context (Chinese version)
As the World Heritage Convention celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022, over 1100 sites around the world are recognized as World Heritage – places that are so valuable to humanity that there conservation has been deemed our collective responsibility. Yet many of these exceptional places face increasing pressure from diverse types of development projects within and around the sites. Assessing the impacts of such projects is essential to both prevent damage to World Heritage and identify sustainable options. This Guidance and toolkit explains the process for achieving these goals. Offering practical tips and tools including checklists and a glossary, it provides a framework for conducting impact assessments for cultural and natural heritage sites.
Fortalecer lo que funciona : reconocimiento y apoyo a pueblos indígenas y comunidades locales en sus logros de conservación
Se espera que la presente Nota Informativa los oriente de manera sensible y respetuosa teniendo en cuento los muchos temas involucrados. Contiene hechos fundamentales acerca de las ICCA, sintetiza lecciones aprendidas, y ofrece recomendaciones para los gobiernos qui implementan el Programa de Trabajo sobre Áreas Protegidas del CDB (PoWPA). La Nota ofrece también consejos sintéticos sobre qué hacer y qué no hacer dirigidos a los gobiernos y la sociedad civil qui están comprometarget_idos en mantener los immensos beneficios de las ICCA en términos de conservación y sustento a los medios de vida.
Fortalecer lo que funciona : reconocimiento y apoyo a pueblos indígenas y comunidades locales en sus logros de conservación
Se espera que la presente Nota Informativa los oriente de manera sensible y respetuosa teniendo en cuento los muchos temas involucrados. Contiene hechos fundamentales acerca de las ICCA, sintetiza lecciones aprendidas, y ofrece recomendaciones para los gobiernos qui implementan el Programa de Trabajo sobre Áreas Protegidas del CDB (PoWPA). La Nota ofrece también consejos sintéticos sobre qué hacer y qué no hacer dirigidos a los gobiernos y la sociedad civil qui están comprometarget_idos en mantener los immensos beneficios de las ICCA en términos de conservación y sustento a los medios de vida.
Guidance and toolkit for impact assessments in a World Heritage context (Chinese version)
As the World Heritage Convention celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022, over 1100 sites around the world are recognized as World Heritage – places that are so valuable to humanity that there conservation has been deemed our collective responsibility. Yet many of these exceptional places face increasing pressure from diverse types of development projects within and around the sites. Assessing the impacts of such projects is essential to both prevent damage to World Heritage and identify sustainable options. This Guidance and toolkit explains the process for achieving these goals. Offering practical tips and tools including checklists and a glossary, it provides a framework for conducting impact assessments for cultural and natural heritage sites.
Enhancing our heritage toolkit 2.0 (Arabic version)
World Heritage properties are internationally recognized as places of Outstanding Universal Value that should benefit from the highest level of management effectiveness. The Toolkit 2.0 offers a self-assessment methodology to evaluate management effectiveness in a World Heritage property or other heritage place. It contains 12 tools that can be used separately or collectively to understand in detail what is working well and what can be done better. The Toolkit supports managers in identifying ways to improve conservation practices, management processes and resource allocation – particularly if used before reviewing or updating management plans. While there is a focus on World Heritage, it can be applied to all heritage places, whether natural, cultural or combinations of both.
Integração da mudança de comportamento na conservação da biodiversidade
This document presents the findings of a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force. It is designed to provide a structured understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and actionable recommendations for integrating behavioural sciences into conservation strategies. The report aims to serve as both a diagnostic tool and a roadmap for advancing the application of behavioural sciences in conservation efforts.
Solutions from PANORAMA
PANORAMA – Solutions are success stories and case studies that can be replicable or re-applied to the GSAP recommended actions and sub-actions. Those solutions are sourced from PANORAMA – Solutions for a Healthy Planet
Participatory Soum Level Pasture Co-Management in Mongolia
In Mongolia’s rural administrative system, an aimag is a province, a soum is its district, and a bagh is the smallest unit within a soum, covering households and herder communities. Across 13 soums in Uvurkhangai, Dornogovi, Sukhbaatar and Tuv aimags, open grazing, weak coordination and limited land-use information contributed to pasture degradation. The Sustainable Land Management for Combating Desertification Project formed herder groups and co-management committees, introducing participatory planning, GIS mapping, rotational grazing, field monitoring and locally managed funds. Herders submitted pasture-use proposals at bagh meetings and helped implement annual soum plans. Seasonal grazing restrictions covered over 900,000 ha, while three plots in each target soum compared grazed and ungrazed vegetation. It established 109 herder groups, linked community knowledge with local government decisions, and created a replicable model for restoring and sustainably managing dry rangelands while supporting pastoral livelihoods.
Gender-Responsive Capacity Building and Mentoring for Climate-Resilient, Value-Added Livelihoods in Mongolia
Developed through a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) climate-adaptation project, this solution strengthens livelihoods for women, young herders and people with disabilities in Khovd and Zavkhan Provinces. It combines online instruction, two-day hands-on training, gender sessions, manuals, videos and post-training mentoring. Participants learn to sew standard covers for Mongolian gers (round dwellings) and make value-added leather and rawhide products from local livestock materials. The solution responds to limited skills, equipment, finance and market access while supporting traditional knowledge and income diversification. Two classroom tracks recorded 96 participations. After two months, 25 sewing trainees had made ger covers, seven had sold them and 11 reported earning income. In leathercraft, 23 were applying skills, 14 had made products, five had completed orders and two reported earning income. Follow-up mentoring helped solve production problems and improve confidence.
Back from Extinction in the Wild: Restoring the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) across its historical range in Saudi Arabia
The Arabian oryx became extinct in the wild in 1972 after decades of overhunting and habitat destruction. Its recovery required a long-term, multidimensional approach rather than a one-off, single release programme. Key measures included conservation-breeding; legal protection and enforcement; effective management of protected sites; phased reintroductions; and post-release monitoring. In Saudi Arabia reintroductions began in 1989 starting with Imam Saud Bin Abdul Aziz Reserve (Mahazat as Sayd PA) followed by Uruq Bani Marid in 1995 and several other Reserves later on. Recent estimates indicate that around 3,064 Arabian oryx live under wild and lightly managed conditions across 11 sites forming a coordinated network of populations across its historical range in Saudi Arabia, with the population showing an increasing trend (NCW 2026).This recovery demonstrates that extinction in the wild can be reversed when conservation-breeding, translocation and coordination amongst partners are integrated and sustained over the long-term.
Blending Local Finance and Community Stewardship to Restore Khovd’s Riparian Forests, Mongolia
Riparian forests woody vegetation along rivers and streams in Khovd Province have been degraded by grazing pressure, wood cutting, climate change and weak natural regeneration. From 2022 to 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported ADAPT project and local governments restored about 700 hectares across 13 districts (soums) and planted more than 560,000 trees. The solution paired restoration and community participation with a sustainable financing model: 70% of the Mongolian tugrik (MNT) 7 billion investment came from ADAPT and 30% from local budgets. UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) helped local authorities improve the planning, collection and allocation of Natural Resource Use Fee revenues so restoration could continue beyond external project funding. The approach strengthens riverbanks, biodiversity, local governance and shared responsibility. Its blend of local revenue, international co-financing and multi-stakeholder delivery can be adapted by other Mongolian provinces.
Using KAP and Livelihood Evidence to Guide Adaptive SLM and Landscape Restoration in Mongolia
The ENSURE Project combined Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) assessments with household livelihood surveys to strengthen evidence-based SLM and landscape restoration in four Mongolian aimags. A 2019 baseline and 2022 follow-up assessed environmental knowledge, conservation practices, training participation, income and livelihood conditions; the 2022 livelihood assessment covered 376 households. Results refined awareness activities, capacity development, livelihood support and natural-resource management. By 2022, the combined knowledge score had risen from 3.09% to 7.0%, conservation practices by 12.8 percentage points, and training participation 2.7-fold. The approach complements biophysical land-degradation-neutrality monitoring by explaining social and livelihood factors that influence land-use decisions. It shows how repeated socio-economic evidence can support adaptive management, although surveys do not themselves measure ecological restoration.
Promoting large-scale restoration of degraded forest landscape in Yoko and Nanga-Eboko through assisted natural regeneration
Cameroon, home to nearly 20 million hectares of forest, is increasingly affected by forest and land degradation driven by bushfires, uncontrolled grazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices. To address these challenges, the global project Forests4Future, implemented by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit) in partnership with local councils and MINEPDED (Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development), introduced Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) in the Yoko and Nanga-Eboko landscapes. ANR is a low-cost, nature-based restoration approach that supports the natural recovery of degraded ecosystems through targeted human interventions rather than tree planting. The approach combines community sensitization, participatory site identification and mapping, site protection, and collaborative management agreements with local communities.
Scaling Nature-based Solutions through Local Climate Finance in Lesotho’s Catchments
Lesotho is a small, landlocked mountain kingdom entirely surrounded by South Africa. More than 80% of its land lies above 1,800 metres, making it the ‘Water Tower’ of Southern Africa and a vital source of freshwater for the region. Despite this, Lesotho’s water resources are under threat from soil erosion, overgrazing, and climate change. ReNOKA (“We are a river”) is Lesotho’s national programme and citizen movement for addressing these challenges and sustainably managing the country’s water and land resources. It supports local communities in restoring degraded catchments through a pioneering climate finance mechanism. The approach empowers community councils to implement their own nature-based solutions, including stone bunds, wetland fencing, and tree planting. These actions reduce erosion, improve water retention, and restored vegetation across degraded landscapes.
Embedded in national systems, ReNOKA connects policy, people, and finance — securing Lesotho’s water and land resources for future generations.
Flooded Forest Rehabilitation in the Tonle Sap of Cambodia
Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, a globally important fishery and carbon store, is rapidly losing flooded forests to deforestation, wildfire, and invasive species. Since 2010, Conservation International has worked with Community Fisheries to restore these habitats through nursery planting, direct seeding, and assisted natural regeneration. The work has revived 10 gallery forest species, including six globally threatened species, while supporting biodiversity such as the endangered hairy-nosed otter and the return of the fishing cat after more than a decade without confirmed records in the area. The program also strengthens community stewardship, stores carbon, and creates income opportunities for marginalized communities.
Continued support is needed because communities face limited experience, resources, and large-scale degradation. CI works with them to improve restoration techniques, study tree ecology, and identify effective ways to recover this unique ecosystem before degraded areas are overtaken by invasive shrubs and weeds.