Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation Aims

A graduate of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and former employee of several Fortune 500 companies, Aaron Eichler founded Strategic Consulting in 2017. Outside of his consulting business, Aaron Eichler supports charitable organizations including the Nature Conservancy.

Operating in 79 countries on six continents, the Nature Conservancy strives to combat climate change and conserve land and water worldwide. In 2019, the organization introduced Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation, an initiative that would unlock $1.6 billion in funding to protect more than 1.5 million square miles of ocean over five years.

Current projections show that 90 percent of the world’s coral will be extinct within the next generation. The Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation initiative proposes to refinance and restructure debt for coastal and island countries, incentivizing them to protect ocean areas such as mangrove forests, reefs, and fish spawning sites. The Nature Conservancy plans to utilize this model in 20 countries over the next five years, ultimately saving more than 13 percent of the world’s coral reefs, protecting habitats, and preserving economies that benefit more than 43 million people around the globe.

Ducks Unlimited Prioritizes Protection

Since 2017, Aaron Eichler has served as managing director of Strategic Consulting, a business consulting firm he founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to his professional pursuits, Aaron Eichler supports the conservation efforts of the nonprofit organization Ducks Unlimited.

Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has become the world’s largest waterfowl and wetlands conservation agency. To contribute to its mission of preserving waterfowl habitats across North America, the organization focuses on priority areas such as the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, a stopping point for more than 13.7 million ducks and 1.5 million geese on their annual migration to the Gulf Coast.

Due to natural and human-caused habitat changes, the region has lost wetland areas that are vital to the wintering habits of waterfowl. To protect the marshes and bays of the Gulf of Mexico, Ducks Unlimited works with state and federal partners to restore habitats on public lands, and with private land owners to protect waterfowl habitats on seasonally flooded land. It also advocates for water allocation and other processes that protect coastal ecosystems.

Carlson School Online Ed. Two Pathways

Aaron Eichler, a Minnesota resident and businessman from Minnetonka with 25 years of experience, founded and leads his own consulting services firm, Strategic Consulting. In his position, he helps companies maximize growth and overall performance. Before embarking on his career, Aaron Eichler attended the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota (UMN) located in Minneapolis.

The Carlson School of Management assists students with earning their degrees by offering ways for students to complete courses online. The platform was designed to help give students with demanding schedules the chance to take courses to meet their professional goals.

The Live Online Course allows participants to connect with peers and faculty while being immersed in business coursework. An interactive experience lasting two to three days, students participate in group discussions, interact with instructors and peers, and use these insights in professional settings.

Another option is a course where students can pace themselves. Students spend at least four hours a week per class and participate in online modules comprised of videos, case studies, conversations with classmates, and reflections and include virtual learning lessons throughout the program. As the students engage the coursework, they have the opportunity to broaden their perspective and apply book knowledge to skills in the professional sphere.

In addition to being organized to provide students flexibility, the program is taught by world-class professors, businessmen, and businesswomen with extensive years of experience. Students also have the opportunity to sit in on live sessions and ask faculty questions in real time.