How we do it:
- We donate dozens of different kinds of esri GIS software.
- We donate dozens of types of training courses at many locations around the world
- We donate spatial data produced by esri and others
- We donate basic and advanced geographic information science books produced by esri
- We donate and develop annual conferences so that all nonprofit Conservation/Geography folks can gather as a community and can afford to attend the esri International conference, largest GIS conference in the world.
- We support other mapping groups devoted to serving the nonprofit community so that they don't have to build their own GIS lab just to get a few simple analyses or maps done for a strategic plan, a hearing, a court case, an education campaign. The mapping services centers we have helped build have been responsible for helping hundreds of nonprofit groups benefit from the best conservation science and mapping.
- We've worked with hardware manufacturers on integrated donation campaigns to provide complete spatial analysis labs to about 50 nonprofit organizations annually.

This site is our best effort to serve our community of grantees and beneficiaries, and the general public who may find this community interesting. This site has many parts, reflective of the broad variety of groups using technology for conservation, research and social change, and the many ways maps and geography affect what we do

ECP early timeline and projects:
1988 – first proposal to create an international conservation computer support foundation
1989 – Jack Dangermond agrees to support the creation of a new conservation support organization.
Convis’ first meeting with Dr. Mike Hamilton at the James Reserve to talk about conservation, computers and society
1991 – First charter of the “Esri Conservation Program”
First ever Conservation Track at the Esri User Conference, Opened by the Cahuilla Birdsinger Dancers.
May 19-24,1991, First Gathering of Conservation GIS users at the UC James Reserve, attending the esri conference by day, and gathering around the James campfire by night.
1993 – Conservation GIS Consortium is formed from a coalition of 4 conservation gis organizations
Birth of the CONSGIS Listserver thanks to Dr. Peter August
1994 –First Official Conservation GIS Conference at the UC James Reserve is organized by Charles Convis and Shaw Thacher.
1995 - Conservation Technology Support Program
1997 - Society for Conservation GIS incorporated

For Additional historical information, see: ESRI Conservation Program Charter PDF
(Update Date: November 1995, 246 KB / 25 pages.)

About this site:
"Conservation/Geography" is the name we've given to all the ways that people are using computers, maps and spatial data for to protect nature and change society. The name emphasizes what people are doing with these tools rather than the tools themselves. "Conservation GIS" is a name commonly given to all the GIS tools, techniques and methods used in Conservation, emphasizing the tools themselves. This web site is called made possible by the contributions and support of thousands of "Conservation Geography" groups worldwide and we sincerely thank all of them for their dedication and hard work. Addresses & links are provided as much as possible so that you can contact the groups you read about to offer help.

Site Map
Conservation/Geography Main Page
- ESRI Grants: The ESRI Conservation Program
- Society: the Society for Conservation GIS
- Technology: Software and Data Development guides and source code
- Tribal: GIS support programs for indigenous and first nations
- Stories: Stories on Conservation/Geography
- News: News & events in Conservation GIS
- Publications: Research & publications in Conservation/Geography
- Help

How to Contact Us:

Charles Convis
ESRI Conservation Program
380 New York St., Redlands, CA, 92373
tel: 909-793-2853 x2488
fax: 909-793-5953
ecp2 at esri dot com