Toward a more inclusive conservation actions classification: Lessons from restoration practice and conservation social science

Abstract The Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation and its Conservation Actions Classification (CAC 2.0) provide a widely used framework for guiding and evaluating conservation efforts. While primarily designed for prospective planning, these tools can also support retrospective analysis. Insights from a previously published qualitative review of more than 5400 projects funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative—one of the largest restoration programs in the United States—revealed that many actions, particularly those involving equity, public health, Indigenous knowledge, and participatory science, were not easily categorized within CAC 2.0. Building on that experience, this perspective identifies opportunities to broaden the framework to better reflect social, cultural, and institutional dimensions of conservation. The discussion is organized around eight thematic areas spanning governance, equity, climate, participation, and community‐led conservation.