Courses and Resources

About N4N

The Numbers for Nature Training Institute (N4N) is CSF's unique and effective capacity development program in economics and finance for conservation. This program empowers leaders with the knowledge, skills, tools, and language to advocate for nature on the balance sheet and in development decisions. Through in-person and virtual training initiatives around the world, CSF has fostered an alumni community of more than 5,000 people from 131 countries, all using economics to build nature into decision-making.

Start learning today with our free video lessons!

Want to understand the economic drivers of environmental problems? How to value things in the natural environment? The essentials of fisheries and forestry economics? Step-by-step instructions on cost-benefit analysis? View our video lessons to learn more!
Person deciding how much to pay for benefits of forest

Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF)

At Conservation Strategy Fund, we know that conservation and economic development can, and must, coexist for the future of humanity.

Conservation Strategy Fund has been using economics-based arguments for 25 years to preserve ecosystems and livelihoods in some of the world's most threatened ecosystems. Global environmental changes are being driven by diverse economic factors, and conservation leaders need to use the language of economics to strengthen their arguments for preserving critical ecosystems, and the people in them.

This is a story about a powerless park facing off with a powerful oil company…and winning.

Ephrem Balole, Economic Tools for Conservation and Infrastructure Planning in the Albertine Rift, 2013, Congo

Course graduate Ephrem Balole use the cost-benefit analysis he learned from CSF to prove that nature conservation would provide a greater economic boost to Virunga than the oil exploration the government was considering. Balole and others from Virunga National Park then met with policy-makers and ultimately the government rejected the oil development in favor of preserving the natural resources of Virunga.