Overview
Unlock the power of capital to protect the planet. The ASU Conservation Finance Professional Certificate will teach you how to use innovative financial tools to drive real, nature-positive solutions. Learn how to structure deals that preserve and restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and balance return, risk, and impact.
Key Benefits
- Understand the mechanics of conservation and nature finance
- Analyze trade-offs between ecological and financial priorities
- Learn how viable finance mechanisms are designed
- Translate between conservation impact and investability
What’s Included
- Three self-paced modules with expert-led videos and readings
- Practical case studies and applied project assignments
- Frameworks for risk, ROI, and stakeholder alignment
- Tools for project mapping and financial design
- Final project: a conservation finance pitch or proposal
Working on real-world projects, you’ll build the practical fluency and confidence to structure finance that delivers measurable conservation outcomes and advances your career in this rapidly growing field.
Course content is developed by leading experts from Conservation International, Arizona State University, and Seth Collins, co-Executive Director of Skill Up for Earth.
Course Modules
Recommended resource
Try a free job simulation created by top companies to build skills relevant to this program.
Project Management Job Simulation
Take this free real-world job simulation to: Test drive a career/role and demonstrate skills to an employer.
Certificate programs
This course is a part of the following certificate programs:
Who this course is designed for
- Designed for mid-career professionals in conservation, sustainability, and/or finance
- Ideal for those seeking to learn innovative financial strategies to advance conservation and protect the planet
- Suitable for individuals aiming to leverage finance mechanisms to deliver measurable financial, ecological, and social outcomes
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain key conservation finance mechanisms and their applications
- Structure and evaluate finance flows for conservation projects
- Assess and mitigate financial, social, and ecological risks
- Align stakeholders and governance structures for inclusive outcomes
- Communicate conservation finance strategies to investors and policymakers
Practical skills you will develop
This program equips learners with vital skills to thrive in today's complex workforce. Key skills include:
Program support
Have additional questions?
Please reach out to the program administrators ConservationFuturesAcademy@exchange.asu.edu for assistance with your course content related questions.
Connect with our team
Complete a brief form to get program recommendations and answers to your questions.