Please see this page for an overview and frequently asked questions about Marxan and PacMARA’s capacity-building program.

Marxan for Managers will provide a high-level background on marine and terrestrial systematic conservation and land/sea use planning, and will cover the questions of when, where, and why to use Marxan and other decision support tools. The interactive and discussion-based workshop will also cover key approaches and tools, stakeholder considerations, and planning with uncertainty. We will highlight and explain essential elements of successful planning processes, provide case studies of initiatives around the world, and lead a discussion on approaches and good practices and managerial-level experience for systematic conservation and land/marine use planning. Note that this is NOT a hands-on technical course.

The following topics are discussed in a Marxan for Managers workshop, although each offering will be tailored to the specific interests, mandates, and problems of the group:

• Key concepts in systematic conservation planning
• Setting targets
• Stakeholder interactions
• Determining which costs to consider
• Understanding and using Marxan results

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Workshops can also be combined with two-day hands-on Introduction to Marxan courses, or one-day less technical explorations of the software.

Click here for a sample workshop agenda.

Marxan for Managers has been offered in a few North American locations, in addition to UK and Chile, since 2010. Workshops are usually $200 for one-day (including breaks and lunch). Workshops are currently being planned for Washington, DC in early October and southern Florida for late fall or early winter 2012.

Click here for further Marxan information and resources.

About Marxan

Marxan (Ian Ball and Hugh Possingham, 2000) is a software program used to support the design of marine and terrestrial reserves worldwide. It is maintained by the University of Queensland in Australia.

Using Marxan, conservation planners can identify an efficient system of conservation sites that include a suite of biodiversity targets at a minimal cost. Marxan provides a unique method for designing reserves that is systematic and repeatable. It is the most utilized conservation planning tool worldwide; over 60 countries, 1100 users, and 600 organizations use Marxan to support the design of terrestrial and marine reserves. For example, it has been used to help zone the Great Barrier Marine Park, design marine reserves in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and set spatial priorities in the Romanian Carpathians to protect large carnivores. Marxan is available at no charge from the UQ Spatial Ecology Lab: Download Marxan Software.

About the Instructor

Jeff Ardron, MSc, is the President of PacMARA’s board of Directors, and the Director of the High Seas Program for the Marine Conservation Biology Institute. Jeff is a specialist in marine spatial planning, systematic conservation design, and international maritime policy. A central theme throughout his work is the bridging of marine science with policy development. Jeff’s presentations in this workshop will be supplemented by local guest presentations and substantial time for discussion.

Click here for registration details or contact hcoleman(at)pacmara.org or nserra(at)pacmara.org for more information on our courses.