From the creation of the Boston Common in 1634 to the emergence of cross-boundary, large-landscape conservation initiatives in the 21st century, innovators have risen to address seemingly

From the creation of the Boston Common in 1634 to the emergence of cross-boundary, large-landscape conservation initiatives in the 21st century, innovators have risen to address seemingly intractable land, water and biodiversity conservation challenges. It will require our best talent, technology, financial tools and social innovation techniques to tackle today's global conservation challenges. What makes for innovation? Five attributes: initiatives characterized by
Novel/Creativeness in conception, strategic or cultural significance, measuarble effecitvness; transferability to jurisdications around the world; and endur for not just years but decades perhaps centuries.

Jim Levitt is the director of the Program on Conservation Innovation at the Harvard Forest, Harvard University and a fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.