Understanding and Interpreting Conservation Data
Statements like "73% of wildlife populations lost" influence global conservation policy. But what does that 73% truly represent? Learn to read, question, and responsibly use the data driving conservation decisions.
$125
Total: Course cost
5 hours to complete
modules
Online - self-paced
Learning modality
Earn a credential
View credential
$125
Total: Course cost
5 hours to complete
modules
Online - self-paced
Learning modality
Earn a credential
View credential
$125
Total: Course cost
5 hours to complete
modules
Online - self-paced
Learning modality
Earn a credential
View credential
$125
Total: Course cost
5 hours to complete
Duration
Online - self-paced
Overview
This course builds the data literacy that every conservation professional needs, from reading a scientific figure to making wise conservation decisions with multiple forms of evidence.
Key Benefits
- Read conservation data and figures with genuine confidence
- Spot misleading visualizations and oversimplified claims
- Evaluate source credibility across scientific, media, and advocacy content
- Make sound decisions despite uncertainty and incomplete information
- Apply a durable framework for evaluating any conservation evidence
What’s Included
- Real conservation case studies, from elephant populations to wetland restoration
- Interactive data-interpretation and credibility-evaluation exercises
- A project workbook applying each lesson to your own conservation work
- Engaging videos featuring - subject matter experts
By the end of this course, you'll bring more rigor and humility to every dataset you encounter.
Who this course is designed for
This course is designed for early-career conservation professionals who work with data but may not have formal training in interpreting it. It's especially valuable for:
- Conservation policy assistants
- Conservation technicians
- Community-based conservation practitioners
- Environmental research assistants
- NGO program associates
- Sustainability specialists and education coordinators
These roles regularly need to read, evaluate, and communicate conservation evidence as part of their daily work.
Beyond conservation practitioners, this course is valuable for anyone interested in the environment and in improving their ability to read and interpret data.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Confidently interpret conservation data presented in scientific papers, technical reports, media, and policy documents
- Evaluate whether conclusions are appropriately supported by evidence, and recognize weak or overstated claims
- Identify uncertainty, limitations, and missing context in datasets and visualizations
- Communicate data interpretations clearly and responsibly to others
- Ask more informed questions about how conservation evidence is generated, analyzed, and presented
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 directly to conservationfuturesacademy@asu.edu for all course content related questions.
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