Rapid global change demands similarly expedient conservation action to halt biodiversity loss. Yet, conservation outcomes are notoriously unpredictable and highly uncertain1–3, and decisions must be made with limited and imperfect information. Although all interventions have associated risks4, conservation organizations weighing the costs and benefits of a given conservation decision consistently demonstrate strong risk aversion, preferring interventions with a higher certainty of success even when the expected benefits are lower than alternative, less certain options2,5. As conservation challenges become increasingly dire, this risk aversion is only strengthened, often resulting in insufficient conservation action6. At the same time, current conservation policies predominantly favor reactive measures based on past references rather than proactive interventions4,7. This preference for maintaining the status quo tends to prioritize conventional and less risky conservation activities, sidelining innovative and novel management actions. Funding opportunities similarly often require success for continued investment, which may favor relatively safe options over less certain, higher risk interventions8. To reach 2030 biodiversity and other ecosystem goals, we posit that a recalibration of conservation risk tolerance is needed to unlock vital conservation opportunities.