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.
Manual y caja de herramientas para las evaluaciones de impacto en un contexto de Patrimonio Mundial
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.
Manual y caja de herramientas para las evaluaciones de impacto en un contexto de Patrimonio Mundial
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.
Mainstreaming behaviour change in biodiversity conservation (Arabic)
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.
Manual y caja de herramientas para las evaluaciones de impacto en un contexto de Patrimonio Mundial
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.
Manual y caja de herramientas para las evaluaciones de impacto en un contexto de Patrimonio Mundial
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.
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.
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
URUGUAY. Ecosystem Restoration Initiatives in the Transition to Public Policy
The project promoted restoration, prioritizing the following ecosystems: natural grasslands, native forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems.
The project achieved the following:
- Support the production of vegetation necessary to initiate restoration processes by strengthening public nurseries, raising awareness, and providing training through workshops and the development of educational materials.
- To provide training and develop knowledge products for dissemination.
- Implement and promote direct actions on the prioritized ecosystems, including reducing the causes of degradation.
These experiences, framed within a national planning process, fuel inclusive debate and the creation of public policy on restoration, as well as contributing to the National Biodiversity Strategy. Among the overall environmental benefits the project aimed to generate, 11,164 ha of degraded land and ecosystems have been restored.
Ecuador, an Exemplary Model of Success in REDD+
PROAMAZONÍA, an Ecuadorian initiative for 2017–2023, which reduced deforestation and CO2 emissions. It linked national efforts to reduce emissions, priority agendas, and productive policies within the REDD+ framework, as outlined in its REDD+ Action Plan “Forests for Good Living” (2016–2025). It succeeded in reducing emissions from deforestation by 7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents, contributing to Ecuador’s NDC. Comprising projects funded by the GCF and GEF, it was implemented by MAATE, MAG, and UNDP.
It addressed four components: REDD+ policies and institutional framework, transition to sustainable production, sustainable forest management, conservation and restoration, and operational management of REDD+. It updated land-use planning instruments, facilitated the transition to sustainable production across 93,000 hectares, conserved and sustainably managed 790,000 hectares of forests, and restored 15,000 hectares of Amazonian forests, benefiting 83,000 people.
Scaling community led catchment restoration into Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) in Zambia’s Lower Kafue
In Zambia’s Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment, rising water demand, climate change, and land degradation have reduced water availability and negatively impacted smallholder livelihoods. To address it, GIZ implemented the AWARE project, combining catchment restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening water governance.
Communities co-plan and implement low-cost Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – soil bunds, trenches, check dams – restoring degraded catchments and improve water availability. Downstream farmers apply climate-smart agricultural practices at demonstration sites. Gender-sensitive design ensures women lead and benefit equally. Community members are trained as local experts, sustaining results beyond the project cycle.
Water User Associations (WUAs) coordinate local action, while collaboration between line ministries and the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) aligns outcomes with national water governance. The approach informed Zambia’s national rainwater-harvesting strategy and is being scaled under AWARE 2
Recognising local knowledge holders to strengthen marine conservation in Alor, Indonesia
Marine protected area management in Alor depends on knowledge held by local communities, practitioners and managers who have learned through years of working with coastal and marine ecosystems. Much of this expertise has remained informal, locally held and insufficiently recognised. The Alor Marine Protected Area’s Center of Excellence (CoE), hosted by Universitas Tribuana Kalabahi, addresses this gap by making local and traditional scientific knowledge a foundation of its training model. Local practitioners serve as trainers and resource persons alongside academics and technical specialists. Learning combines 70% field practice with 30% theory across four laboratories: community, governance, biodiversity and corporation/private-sector practices. The model connects practical knowledge with research and competency-based learning, allowing experience generated in Alor to be documented, recognised and transferred to protected area managers, students and practitioners from other areas.
Youth Empowerment in conservation through Creative approaches
Young people in the Western Seascape have an important role in conservation but often have limited opportunities to engage meaningfully in environmental decision-making. To address this, WWF Solomon Islands, in partnership with Dreamcast Theatre Solomon Islands, developed a youth engagement approach that combines conservation education with creative arts, storytelling, theatre, music, and filmmaking.
The solution empowers youth to become conservation champions by building their leadership and communication skills and enabling them to create and share locally relevant conservation messages. Implemented across multiple communities, the approach has increased youth participation in conservation, strengthened community awareness of environmental issues, and helped reach an estimated 10,000 people across 15 communities through youth-led outreach and advocacy activities.
Strengthening territorial governance and forest guardianship, Tucumán Model Forest
Since 2008, the Tucumán Model Forest has distinguished itself through territorial governance led by the Cooperativa Generar. The governance approach centres on knowledge transfer and reinforces key processes and capacities among grassroots actors. This turns isolated efforts into coordinated “glocal” (global and local) development strategies and serves as a scalable model. Within this structure, the Cooperativa Generar uses its legal status to strengthen the Fundación Coquena (Tourism Guides), which, in turn, supports the Cooperativa Lagoferiantes (Women Producers). The organisation’s legal status enables its autonomy. It allows networks to self-manage and engage in international cooperation, even in political and economic adversity. As “Guardians of the Forest,” these organisations influence public policies on land-use, restoration, and climate action. The impact is reflected in improvements in marketing and social empowerment, which guarantee economic well-being without sacrificing ecosystem conservation.
Youth and Territorial Governance: Inclusive decision making in the Model Forests of Latin America and the Caribbean
The Latin American Model Forest Youth Network (RLJBM) is a voluntary organisation that brings together young people from Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen their participation in environmental governance. It was created in response to the lack of youth inclusion in decision making and seeks to promote intergenerational knowledge exchange on landscape management. In 2022, the Youth Network was formed through workshops and processes to identify young leaders, and in 2023, it was formalised as an autonomous network. In 2024, RLJBM was consolidated through mentoring from the Chocó Andino Model Forest and held its first face-to-face meeting in Costa Rica, where thematic priorities and a horizontal governance structure were defined. RLJBM currently has a Central Committee representing several countries and promoting conservation, environmental education, inclusion, and regional coordination activities.
Azua Biological Corridor: The Beginning of Participatory Landscape Management in the Dominican Republic
Through the “From Field to Plate” and “REDD Landscape” projects of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), measures to promote biodiversity and other policy initiatives were implemented to specifically strengthen the structure of the Azua Biological Corridor. Stakeholders from various sectors within the Corridor expressed interest in establishing and formalizing a management structure.
During an exchange of experiences, an opportunity was identified for a tripartite collaboration involving the private initiative of banana producers in the Province of Azua, where Costa Rica shares the institutional experience of its National Biological Corridors Program with the Dominican Republic, as well as its experience with participatory landscape management models under the framework of biological corridors through local platforms.
Based on this knowledge transfer, the Dominican Republic is developing its policy and regulatory framework for biological corridors and is launching a pilot project—in partnership with the private sector and NGOs—for its first corridor.