Connectivity 101: Ecological connectivity for people and planet

In light of growing threats to biodiversity and other ecosystem services from habitat degradation and fragmentation, ecological connectivity is increasingly cited to promote conservation and sustainable development across both intact and human-dominated systems. 

The  Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted in December 2022, includes numerous provisions for maintaining, enhancing, and restoring ecological connectivity, as do countless other policy mandates. 

Increasingly, conservation practitioners are seeking to understand and apply the best practices for connectivity conservation in their home landscapes. 

Now, the Wildlife Connect Initiative – a partnership of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC),  IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas - Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG), and Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), are pleased to offer Connectivity101, a free, self-paced course designed with UNDP’s Learning for Nature to bring connectivity conservation to you wherever you are.

About the course

Connectivity 101 teaches the basics of ecological connectivity conservation. The course will present general and replicable best practices for connectivity conservation and context-sensitive case studies worldwide. The course will focus on an audience of conservation practitioners but will also be accessible to a general audience. A certificate will be awarded to those who complete the course. Currently, the course is offered in English. Translations to other UN languages may be available in the future.

Course highlights and outcomes

• Gain knowledge about the science, policy, and practice of ecological connectivity
• Learn how ecological connectivity is being maintained, enhanced, and restored around the world
• Develop strategies for improving connectivity conservation practices in your country
• Join a community-of-practice committed to reversing fragmentation and (re)connecting our natural world
• Explore rich learning materials, diving into detailed content based on your needs
• Learn how to select the most appropriate interventions for your context from a range of connectivity practices
• Receive a certificate of completion from the course partners

Learning objectives

By the time the course is completed, you will be able to:

• Define ecological connectivity and explain its importance for nature and people
• Explain approaches to and principles of connectivity conservation and restoration
• Understand how stakeholder participation and inclusive collaboration are critical for connectivity conservation
• Place ecological connectivity in the context of large-scale initiatives and agreements
• Understand the steps and activities involved in developing a connectivity plan or project, especially for planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring ecological corridors and networks. 
• Feel inspired by real-world examples of ecological connectivity conservation and restoration

Course topics

The course consists of five modules. Below are the five topics and the main questions they seek to answer.

• Module 1: Introduction to Ecological Connectivity
  (What is ecological connectivity?)
• Module 2: Social Aspects of Connectivity
  (How does connectivity benefit people? How do people work together to conserve and restore connectivity?)
• Module 3: Connectivity Modelling and its Role in Spatial Planning
  (What are the approaches used to define important areas for connectivity, and how can they be included in spatial planning processes to influence development?)
• Module 4: Protecting, Managing and Restoring Ecological Corridors
  (What actions can we take to implement effective ecological corridors?)
• Module 5: Connectivity in the Context of Economic Development
  (How do we protect connectivity from infrastructure, extractive industries, and other economic activities?)