Entrepreneurial Competencies for Landscape Restoration from Coursera

Welcome!

Dear learner,

Since 2013, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) and Commonland have collaborated in developing joint education to address the vital importance of healthy ecosystems and landscapes for business and to explore the contribution business and management thinking can bring to large-scale landscape restoration. RSM and Commonland established the European Network for the Advancement of Business and Landscape Education (ENABLE) and the ENABLE partnership applied successfully to the EU-funded ERASMUS+ program. Within ENABLE (www.rsm.nl/enable) we developed and delivered 2 MOOCs on the Coursera platform between September 2016 and September 2019:

• A Business Approach to Sustainable Landscape Restoration

• Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration

Although the ENABLE partnership formally ended in 2019, RSM and Commonland continued to develop ways to jointly reach students and professionals who can connect the dots within a landscape approach between:

- ecological/natural ecosystems

- entrepreneurial/business ecosystems

- financial/investment ecosystems

- soci(et)al ecosystems

We call these professionals Chief Ecosystem Orchestrators, or “CEO4.0”, referring to their orchestrating role within and between these different types of ecosystems as part of a broader landscape context. Also CEO4.0 links with the “next level” CEO and with the 4 Returns approach developed and applied by Commonland. Key focus of the CEO4.0 will be to enable and facilitate business model innovation and multiple value creation within a landscape approach, aligning and integrating the objectives and interests of all stakeholders (including the natural world) at landscape level while dealing with complexity of breaking through silos of systems, sectors and scales.

The CEO4.0 is characterized by an entrepreneurial mindset and this course helps you to develop and cultivate the entrepreneurial competencies you need within the challenging context of integrated landscape management and holistic landscape restoration with a business approach. As such, we are happy to launch this course as the first formal building block of the CEO4.0 curriculum, leading the way to societal and business resilience with lower risks and higher (long-term and multiple) returns.

In this course, we will help you to become an entrepreneurial professional by developing and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset yourself.

This course is for you if:

You are a (start-up) entrepreneur or an intrapreneur already, or work in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, for example as a policy maker or impact investor

You are already involved in a landscape initiative,

- and you want to learn how to work in a more entrepreneurial way;

- become an entrepreneurial professional regardless of your background as a landscape practitioner;

- and/or you want to focus on interventions that create value for a felt need within the landscape(s) you are working in or have impact on.

Happy learning,

Eva Rood, Director Positive Change at Rotterdam School of Management

www.rsm.nl/positivechange

Dr. Simon Moolenaar, Director Knowledge, Education & Innovation at Commonland

www.commonland.com

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to landscape restoration

In this week, we will present the basic concept and set the scene of the importance of large-scale, sustainable landscape restoration.

Entrepreneurial mindset

In this week, we will elaborate on the benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreurial competencies.

4 Returns Landscape Business Model Canvas

What makes a great idea? We will discuss 4 elements that make a great idea and a useful tool to map your business model.

Business model discovery

In this week, we discuss 4 essential principles that guide the business model discovery process, which are based on effectuation theory.

Problem discovery and validation – part 1

In this week you will explore the desirability of your idea. We start with problem discovery.

Problem discovery and validation – part 2

In this week, you will continue to explore the desirability of your idea by taking the ecosystem and a broader set of stakeholders into account.

Solution development and validation

In this week, you will learn how to develop and validate solutions, and how to test and validate your ideas.

Investment readiness level - business view (bonus week)

in this bonus week, we will introduce Investment readiness from a business perspective.

Investment readiness level - landscape view (Bonus week)

In this bonus week, we will look at investment readiness from an ecosystem or landscape perspective.

Final reflection

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores landscape restoration, which is becoming increasingly important for meeting sustainability goals

Develops an entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial competencies, which are valuable for success in business

Utilizes the 4 Returns Landscape Business Model Canvas, a helpful tool for mapping out business models

Covers essential principles of business model discovery, based on effectuation theory

Guides learners through problem discovery and validation processes, considering various perspectives

Promotes solution development and validation, emphasizing testing and validating ideas

Career center

Learners who complete Entrepreneurial Competencies for Landscape Restoration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Conservation Scientist

Are you a curious and passionate individual who wants to make a positive impact on the environment? As a Conservation Scientist, you will use your scientific knowledge and skills to study, protect, and restore ecosystems and their biodiversity. This course aligns with your career goals by providing you with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of landscape restoration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Environmental Consultant

As an Environmental Consultant, you will assist businesses and organizations in understanding and complying with environmental regulations. You will also advise clients on how to reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability performance. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of landscape restoration practices and the ability to develop and implement sustainable solutions.

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Landscape Architect

As a Landscape Architect, you will design and create outdoor spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. You will work with clients to understand their needs and develop plans that meet their specific requirements. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of landscape restoration principles and techniques.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

As an Environmental Policy Analyst, you will research and analyze environmental issues and develop policies to address them. You will work with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to develop and implement solutions that protect the environment. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a broader understanding of landscape restoration and its role in environmental policy.

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Forestry Technician

As a Forestry Technician, you will work under the supervision of a forester to manage and protect forests. You will carry out a variety of tasks, such as planting trees, thinning forests, and fighting wildfires. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices.

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Park Ranger

As a Park Ranger, you will protect and preserve natural resources and provide visitor services in parks and other protected areas. You will work with visitors to educate them about the importance of conservation and help them to enjoy the park safely. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices.

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Water Resource Specialist

As a Water Resource Specialist, you will work to protect and manage water resources. You will conduct research, develop policies, and implement programs to ensure that water resources are available for future generations. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the importance of water resources in ecosystems.

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Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

As a Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, you will work with farmers and ranchers to develop and implement sustainable agricultural practices. You will help them to improve soil health, reduce water use, and protect biodiversity. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the importance of sustainable agriculture for ecosystem health.

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Environmental Educator

As an Environmental Educator, you will develop and deliver educational programs about the environment. You will work with people of all ages to help them learn about the importance of conservation and how to protect the environment. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the importance of environmental education for raising awareness and inspiring action.

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Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

As a Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, you will work with communities and organizations to develop and implement strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change. You will help them to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and develop plans to reduce their vulnerability and increase their resilience. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the importance of climate change adaptation for ecosystem resilience.

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Sustainability Consultant

As a Sustainability Consultant, you will work with businesses and organizations to develop and implement sustainability strategies. You will help them to reduce their environmental impact, improve their social performance, and enhance their economic viability. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the importance of sustainability for businesses and organizations.

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Environmental Project Manager

As an Environmental Project Manager, you will plan, implement, and manage environmental projects. You will work with a team of специалисты to develop and implement project plans, budgets, and timelines. You will also be responsible for monitoring project progress and reporting on results. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the project management skills needed to successfully implement environmental projects.

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Environmental Scientist

As an Environmental Scientist, you will conduct research and collect data on the environment. You will use this information to assess environmental impacts, develop solutions to environmental problems, and inform policy decisions. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the scientific skills needed to conduct environmental research and analysis.

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Natural Resource Manager

As a Natural Resource Manager, you will manage and protect natural resources, such as forests, water, and wildlife. You will work with a team of специалисты to develop and implement management plans, monitor resource use, and enforce regulations. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the management skills needed to protect and sustain natural resources.

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Soil Scientist

As a Soil Scientist, you will study the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. You will use this information to assess soil health, develop soil management plans, and remediate soil contamination. This course may be useful to you by providing you with a basic understanding of landscape restoration principles and practices, as well as the scientific skills needed to conduct soil research and analysis.

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