Every time I have the opportunity to share knowledge and experience on conservation finance with committed conservation practitioners, it brings me enormous satisfaction. The most recent course we recently concluded in South Africa as part of our collaborative economics and finance training offering with CSF’s Numbers for Nature Training Institute, was especially rewarding in that the 35 participants from all over Africa had been primed with 8.5 days of intensive conservation economics training before we dug into a thorough 2.5 days of conservation finance learning and sharing. There is powerful need for advanced learning on conservation finance in Africa (and elsewhere) as new approaches are being piloted in various countries such as debt conversions and PFPs (i.e. Gabon), various conservation trust funds, outcome-based bonds, ecotourism development, and many more. Although the participants show great enthusiasm for private sector mechanisms, the practitioners always also remind me how important public funding, regulations, and market creation are for all types of nature finance. As always, I am honored to be part of such a great shared learning experience – this time, within the greater Kruger area of southern Africa.
See the great opportunities below to participate in our annual International Course combining economics and finance and use the code: 2026cfapartner20 to save 20% on the registration fee. Stay tuned for an online version of Finance 4Nature course coming up later this year.
Keep on leaning in to nature finance!
David Meyers
Executive Director david@cfalliance.org
News and Information
Economics and Finance for Environmental Leadership - Registration closes September 3
Using Conservation Strategy Fund's flagship curriculum developed over 25+ years, Economics and Finance for Environmental Leadership is designed to equip conservation professionals and those interested in sustainable development with the tools to integrate environmental and human well-being into future decision-making. Over ten weeks, participants will gain an understanding in seven core topics: economic fundamentals, natural resource economics, behavioral economics, ecosystem valuation, cost–benefit analysis, financial solutions, and environmental policy.
Price: $1,000 USD (Only $800 USD with discount offer below) Dates: September 14 - November 20, 2026 Format: Virtual with live sessions Tuesday and Thursday
Commitment: About 6 hours per week
➡️ Registration closes September 7th.
Enjoy a 20% Discount!
To help empower your organization with strong economic arguments and support impactful finance for nature, we extend a special 20% partner discount.
Register for the course using the discount code "2026cfapartner20" at checkout on Numbers for Nature virtual course platform.
Building a Regional Network Empowered by Economics and Finance
Celebrating the conclusion of Economic Tools for Conservation in Africa
Less than one month ago, 35 participants representing 18 different organizations and 10 different countries across the African continent embarked on a two-week learning journey to discover the power of using economics and finance to strengthen their nature-based work.
Hosted by Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) at the Southern African Wildlife College, just outside of Kruger National Park, participants dove into learning basic economic theory, how economists understand natural resource management challenges, and tools to support and sustainably finance conservation activities. CFA's Executive Director David Meyers provided the final three days of instruction on Conservation Finance.
Conservation Finance Network Seeks New Executive Director
The Conservation Finance Network (CFN) has launched an ambitious five-year strategic vision to accelerate innovative, scalable, and equitable conservation finance solutions for land and natural resources. Building on two decades of work connecting practitioners across sectors, CFN is now seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead its next chapter and advance its goals of convening, connecting, coaching, and catalyzing the conservation finance community. Applications are now open.
👉 Learn more about the vision and position through CFN HERE.
