Overview of the Conservation Innovation Award

The award is given annually to an individual, organization, or initiative that is implementing a bold idea, method, tool, or solution to increase the pace, scale, and quality of land conservation anywhere in the world. The ILCN focuses specifically on innovation in private and civic land conservation — that is, efforts driven by nonprofit organizations, landowners, community associations, or other civil society groups on six continents. By recognizing and elevating the work of innovators, the award seeks to inform and inspire individuals and organizations around the globe who are developing ambitious new approaches to land conservation policy and practice.

Learn More

Selection Criteria

Nominees are evaluated based on the degree to which their innovation is:

  • Creative in conception: the initiative represents a novel approach to solving a need or problem;
  • Strategically significant: it demonstrates broader strategic or cultural value to land conservation practitioners and to society, significantly advancing the way that land conservation is done in the field;
  • Measurably effective: its outcomes can be measured qualitatively or quantitatively, using a relatively objective measure;
  • Transferable across boundaries: it can be applied or adapted to different geographies and jurisdictions around the world; and
  • Enduring: it achieves, or has substantial promise to achieve, long-term impact.
The Award

The ILCN Conservation Innovation Award provides a $10,000 stipend to the award recipient to develop and carry out a form of technology transfer or knowledge exchange designed to facilitate peer learning and disseminate the innovation to a wider community of practice. Award recipients develop their plans for the use of award funds in consultation with Lincoln Institute of Land Policy staff.

Nominations

To be considered for the award, candidates may be nominated by any ILCN partner or network participant. Open nominations are intended to generate a vibrant set of nominees from a variety of backgrounds, sectors, regions, and communities. Candidates cannot submit their own names for consideration.

Learn more about the award, eligibility, and selection process.

Timeline

The following timeline is for the inaugural 2025 award cycle.
  • July 15

    Nominations open

  • Sept 30

    Nominations close

  • Oct 31

    Finalists selected

  • Nov 30

    Award recipient announced

Nominate a Candidate

Read more about the award, eligibility, and selection process.

Nominations for the Conservation Innovation Award are open through September 30, 2025. The 2025 Award recipient will be announced on November 30, 2025.

Nominate a Conservation Innovator

For questions, please email Robin Beckham, policy analyst for land conservation at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, at rbeckham@lincolninst.edu.