Tips to Elevate Conservation Planning
Meet Brandon Bing—Hugh Hammond Bennett Award winner and dedicated certified conservation planner. He believes meaningful conservation starts with trust, effective communication, and strong relationships with the people we serve.
Here, Brandon shares practical advice planners can use to elevate their work.
Lead with relationships: Build trust before offering solutions.
Be authentic and personal: Connect through shared experiences and genuine
interest.
Check in regularly: Effective communication is about showing you care, not just
getting the work done.
Stay humble and curious: Ask questions, listen first, and learn from the
landowners.
Collaborate: Invite producers into the planning process and learn together.
Strengthen the producer-land connection: Help them see patterns, outcomes,
and opportunities for their land.
Keep learning: Conservation is constantly evolving. Learn and grow with it.
Practice patience: Trust and change take time.
