Our 10 Planner Development Path mentees recently passed the halfway mark in their 18 month training program, part of CPSG’s effort to scale up species conservation by shaping conservation planning champions who can help change the future for threatened species.

Two on the development path are Lucy Kemp and Yonathan Yonathan. Both are progressing well on their respective tracks, now taking on more ‘front of house’ roles as facilitators, recorders, and planners of meetings and workshops.

In April, Lucy co-facilitated a conservation planning workshop for the critically endangered Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani). Participants in the workshop were able to uncover assumptions and work through conflicts to begin developing a plan. Lucy felt this workshop was both a step in the right direction for the conservation of this species and a valuable learning experience for her as a growing facilitator.

Yonathan facilitated an Indonesian Zoos and Aquariums Association training session for zoo vets as well as some other small meetings. He is also helping to develop a meeting of zoo directors in Indonesia. Through these experiences, Yonathan has learned that facilitation is not easy, but it is essential.

The next step for Yonathan and Lucy is to continue to grow in their planning and facilitation of workshops, meetings and training courses. Yonathan has helped secure a species conservation planning course for his colleagues in Indonesian zoos, universities, and other conservation organisations, which CPSG will run jointly with him and his colleagues in August. We will continue to seek out further opportunities for Lucy, Yonathan, and the rest of our mentees to take on active planning and facilitation roles within conservation workshops in the coming months.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Development Path Program, please contact CPSG Director of Training, Jamie Copsey at Jamie@cpsg.org.