Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Greetings! I’m Christian Marin, an eclectic evaluator who has worked on everything from economic development and public health initiatives to housing programs for people experiencing homelessness. I’m here to talk about something we experience daily, but don’t necessarily stop to think about: lessons learned from utilizing conserved, natural spaces.
According to National Geographic conservation is the “the care and protection of Earth’s natural resources so they can persist for future generations”. In other words, conserved landscapes exist so people can connect with and enjoy them.
As evaluators, I would like to start with a simple question: How do conserved landscapes improve well-being and quality of life for humans?
Think about it. When we dream about vacations, where do our minds go?
The jungles of Panama.
The beaches of Spain.
We’re often drawn to conserved landscapes as an escape from the office, routine, and everyday noise. We visit nearby conserved landscapes, like popular hiking trails or national parks such as Yellowstone. But why?
Start looking at conservation not just as environmental protection, but as social infrastructure.
In other words, we can consider how we belong, where systems can be strengthened, and how we can live in a “togetherness” with nature, instead of feeling separated from it.
People enjoy multiple benefits when interacting with conserved landscapes.
When I observe ecosystems, wildlife behavior, and biodiversity in real time at a zoo, aquarium, or nature sanctuary, I’m learning simply by being there. These spaces fuel scientific discovery while increasing understanding of conserved landscapes and ecosystems.
Conserved landscapes offer a powerful reset for our nervous systems. Whether I’m hiking, kayaking, or sitting near the edge of a canyon, these particular environments create space for reflection, recreation, and renewal.
Access to walking trails, hiking paths, wildlife viewing, clean air, and clean water supports our physical health. Shared outdoor spaces in conserved lands also build strong social connection, reinforcing an engaged community.
Conservation allows me to experience the beauty and wonder of wildlife in natural habitats, fostering joy, curiosity, and emotional connection. Protecting endangered species within conserved landscapes preserves those ecosystems and our shared nature for future generations.
Conservation isn’t just about wildlife or wetlands. It often intersects with multiple evaluation domains, invisibly. When we evaluate community outcomes, we’re often including human centered outcomes that touch conservation in multiple ways.
Many programs rely on conserved landscapes including clean air, safe parks, and accessible trails, to succeed. Without them, efforts to improve health, community, and learning can fall short.
Find a safe place to sit outside for 15 minutes. Just observe.
What species cross your path? A neighbor’s cat? A bumblebee? A bird in a nearby tree? Is the bird making a warning call? Is the bumblebee hovering on one flower or multiple?
Those 15 minutes are all you need to begin your own scientific discovery of the natural world.
My hope is that you begin to see conservation not just as environmental protection, but as an investment in human well-being.
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