The Activation Playbook

Across rural America, communities are discovering that conservation and economic development are not competing priorities — they are mutually reinforcing drivers of long-term prosperity. Conserved lands, working forests, farms, rivers, trails, and cultural assets provide the foundation for attracting investment, supporting local businesses, improving quality of life, and creating communities where people want to live, work, and visit.

Developed in collaboration with rural development practitioners, community leaders, funders, conservation organizations, and public-sector partners across the country, The Conservation Fund’s Activation Playbook provides a practical framework for aligning conservation and economic development. Rather than prescribing a single model, it helps communities transform their best qualities into lasting economic opportunity.

What’s Inside 

The Playbook combines practical planning tools with proven strategies to help communities move from vision to implementation, including: 

• Regional Readiness Assessment — A 24-criteria assessment that helps communities evaluate their strengths, identify gaps, and prioritize opportunities across conservation, leadership, economic development, and infrastructure.  
• Activation Strategies — 52 Actionable strategies organized around the four pillars of Activation to help regions build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and advance projects.  
• Case Studies, Tips, and Resources — Examples from rural regions across the country, along with practical tips, and additional resources to support implementation.  

Getting Started 

This document is designed to be used as a living resource—not read cover to cover in one sitting. We recommend beginning with the Regional Readiness Assessment, which can be completed individually or collaboratively with regional partners, to identify opportunities, surface challenges, and guide further discussion toward actionable strategies and projects.

Questions?

Whether you’re working through the assessment within your region, looking for support on a specific strategy, exploring how to fund this work, or you have success stories and feedback that could strengthen the next version — we want to hear from you.

Contact us at activation@conservationfund.org.