Thriving ecosystem under a protective dome, symbolizing conservation.

Saving Species: How Smart Investments Can Prevent Extinctions

Theo Raines in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A government agency's data-driven approach to funding threatened species programs offers a blueprint for effective conservation."

The world is facing a biodiversity crisis. Species are disappearing at an alarming rate, and the funds available to combat these losses are dwindling. In this challenging environment, it's more important than ever to ensure that conservation efforts are as efficient as possible. But how do we decide where to invest our limited resources to achieve the greatest impact?

Traditionally, conservation funding decisions have often been influenced by factors other than objective data, such as the charisma of a particular species or public appeal. However, a groundbreaking study by a government agency in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, is demonstrating a more systematic and effective approach. By incorporating cost, benefit, and likelihood of success into decision-making, they're maximizing the return on their conservation investments.

This article explores the NSW government's innovative Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP), a data-driven framework for allocating resources to threatened species programs. We'll delve into the methodology, the results, and the broader implications for conservation efforts worldwide.

Project Prioritization Protocol: A Data-Driven Approach to Conservation

Thriving ecosystem under a protective dome, symbolizing conservation.

The Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) is a systematic approach to conservation investment that was first implemented by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). The NSW government adapted this protocol to prioritize investment in threatened species under the state's Saving our Species (SoS) program. The core idea behind PPP is simple: allocate resources to projects that offer the greatest potential for success at the lowest cost.

The NSW government's implementation of PPP involved several key steps:

Defining Objectives: The overarching objective of the SoS program was to maximize the number of threatened species that are secure in the wild in NSW for 100 years. This long-term perspective encouraged experts to consider the lasting impacts of their decisions.
Identifying Assets: Out of 917 species listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act, 368 were chosen based on the quality of data available and possibility of success in the long term.
Developing Projects: Expert panels developed detailed management prescriptions (conservation projects) for each of the selected species, identifying the minimum number of management sites and actions required to abate critical threats.
Quantifying Benefits, Costs, and Likelihood of Success: Experts quantified the benefits (increase in species' probability of survival), costs (implementation costs over 50 years), and likelihood of success (probability of achieving desired outcomes) for each project.
Ranking Projects: Projects were ranked based on a cost-efficiency equation that considered benefit, likelihood of success, and cost.

The PPP algorithm ran iteratively, removing the lowest-ranked project in each cycle, until the total cost of implementing all remaining projects was less than the allocated budget. This ensured that the available funds were used to achieve the greatest possible conservation impact.

A Model for Global Conservation Efforts

The NSW government's experience with the Project Prioritization Protocol offers a valuable model for conservation efforts worldwide. By embracing a data-driven, systematic approach, we can ensure that our limited resources are used as effectively as possible to protect the planet's precious biodiversity. In the face of a growing extinction crisis, this kind of smart investment is more critical than ever.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201413, Alternate LINK

Title: A Large-Scale Application Of Project Prioritization To Threatened Species Investment By A Government Agency

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLOS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: James Brazill-Boast, Moira Williams, Beth Rickwood, Thalie Partridge, Grant Bywater, Bronwyn Cumbo, Ian Shannon, William J. M. Probert, Julie Ravallion, Hugh Possingham, Richard F. Maloney

Published: 2018-08-14

Everything You Need To Know

What is the core objective of the Saving our Species (SoS) program in NSW, Australia?

The overarching objective of the Saving our Species (SoS) program in NSW, Australia, is to maximize the number of threatened species that are secure in the wild within NSW for a period of 100 years. This long-term perspective encourages experts to consider the lasting impacts of their decisions, ensuring that conservation efforts have sustained benefits beyond the immediate term. The program is designed to make sure that the conservation efforts are effective and have a lasting positive effect on the environment and its species.

How does the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) determine which conservation projects receive funding?

The Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) uses a data-driven approach to allocate resources. It considers the benefits (increase in a species' probability of survival), the costs (implementation costs over 50 years), and the likelihood of success for each conservation project. These factors are quantified by experts and then used in a cost-efficiency equation to rank projects. The algorithm iteratively removes the lowest-ranked projects until the total cost of the remaining projects aligns with the available budget, ensuring the most effective use of funds to protect threatened species.

What were the key steps involved in the NSW government's implementation of the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP)?

The NSW government's implementation of the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) involved several key steps: First, it defined objectives, specifically to maximize the number of secure threatened species in NSW for 100 years. Then, it identified assets, selecting 368 species out of 917 listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act. Following that, expert panels developed detailed management prescriptions (conservation projects) for each selected species, specifying necessary actions. Next, they quantified the benefits, costs, and likelihood of success for each project. Finally, the projects were ranked based on a cost-efficiency equation to ensure the greatest conservation impact with available resources.

How does the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) differ from traditional conservation funding methods, and why is this difference important?

Traditional conservation funding methods often rely on factors like the charisma of a species or public appeal, whereas the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) uses a data-driven approach. The PPP considers the benefits (increased survival probability), costs, and likelihood of success for each project. This difference is crucial because it allows for a more systematic and effective allocation of limited resources. By prioritizing projects based on their potential impact and cost-efficiency, the PPP ensures that conservation efforts achieve the greatest possible outcomes in protecting threatened species, offering a more objective method compared to traditional ones.

Can the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) be applied outside of NSW, Australia, and if so, what are the broader implications?

Yes, the Project Prioritization Protocol (PPP) can be applied globally. The article explicitly states that the NSW government's experience offers a valuable model for conservation efforts worldwide. The broader implications are significant: by embracing a data-driven, systematic approach, conservation efforts worldwide can ensure that limited resources are used as effectively as possible to protect the planet's biodiversity. This is especially critical in the face of a growing extinction crisis, making smart investments more vital than ever to conserve endangered species and maintain ecological balance.