FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Designing Nature’s Half?
Designing Nature’s Half: A Practical Guide to Conserving 50% by 2050 is a science-based, practice-informed book and framework that explores how large-scale conservation can be designed, governed, and implemented in real landscapes. It translates decades of conservation biology, landscape ecology, and applied planning experience into an actionable, stakeholder-driven approach for conserving biodiversity while supporting human communities.
What does the title Designing Nature’s Half refer to?
The title reflects a growing body of conservation science indicating that sustaining biodiversity, ecological processes, and resilience in a changing climate likely requires conserving and restoring roughly half of Earth’s lands and waters. Rather than focusing on targets alone, Designing Nature’s Half emphasizes design—how landscapes can be intentionally configured, connected, and governed so conservation goals are achieved through collaboration, legitimacy, and long-term durability.
Does conserving “Nature’s Half” mean locking up half the land?
No. Conserving Nature’s Half is not about setting aside half the planet as off-limits to people. It is about rethinking how landscapes function as integrated systems that include protected areas, working lands, Tribal and Indigenous territories, urban areas, and restored ecosystems. The goal is to support biodiversity and ecological function while sustaining livelihoods, cultures, and economies.
Is conserving 50% of land and water even possible in the United States?
Yes—but not through traditional conservation approaches alone. The United States already contains extensive protected areas, working landscapes, and conserved Tribal and private lands. Achieving outcomes at the scale implied by “Nature’s Half” requires redesigning how these lands are connected and managed, rather than relying solely on new land acquisition. Designing Nature’s Half proposes landscape conservation design as a collaborative, science-based approach for aligning conservation goals with existing land uses and governance structures.
What is landscape conservation design (LCD)?
Landscape conservation design (LCD) is a participatory, interdisciplinary process that brings stakeholders together to identify shared values, assess current and plausible future landscape conditions, identify priority areas for conservation and development, and co-design conservation strategies at meaningful scales. LCD integrates ecological science, social considerations, spatial analysis, and governance to support informed, durable decision-making across complex landscapes.
Is this book a policy proposal?
No. Designing Nature’s Half does not advocate for a single policy, governance model, or regulatory solution. Instead, it offers a design framework that can inform many different policy and planning contexts. The emphasis is on inclusiveness, legitimacy, and adaptability—recognizing that conservation must function across diverse political, cultural, and institutional settings.
How does climate change factor into the book?
Climate change is a central condition shaping the framework. Conserving Nature’s Half is not only about biodiversity protection; it is also about climate adaptation, resilience, and risk reduction. Large, connected, and well-functioning landscapes are critical for helping both ecosystems and human communities adapt to accelerating environmental change.
Who is this book for?
The book is written for:
Conservation professionals and planners
Natural resource agencies and NGOs
Tribal governments and Indigenous communities
Land trusts and regional partnerships
Educators and students
Decision-makers working at landscape and regional scales
While grounded in science, it is designed to be accessible across disciplines and sectors.
Is this your first book?
Yes. This is my first book-length publication. I previously served as lead author on a peer-reviewed journal article, The iCASS Platform: Nine Principles for Landscape Conservation Design, published in Landscape and Urban Planning (2018), which helped inform the framework developed in this book.
When will Designing Nature’s Half be available?
The book is currently in development. Updates on publication timing, excerpts, and related media will be shared through the website and newsletter.
How can I stay informed or get involved?
You can subscribe to updates at the bottom of this page to receive news about the book, blogs, and related essays. As the project evolves, opportunities for learning, dialogue, and collaboration will be shared with subscribers.