Placing value on the local cultures’ traditional relationship to the land is of utmost importance. When a community sees that their knowledge is understood, they are more inclined to participate, and therefore take part in activities that might improve their livelihoods. Employing local staff, including in project management positions, can go a long way in building relationships with local communities and gaining their trust.

Some relationshsips take a long time to develop and require constant nurturing and understanding from the conservation team. A successful relationship ultimately depends on the history of conservation work and what measures the government or previous organisations have put in place, and how the communities have benefited from it.

Building and establishing multi-use spaces where both species and people can share ressources is one effective technique to engage the community in conservation activities. Additionally, encouraging traditional and sustainable resources use ultimately helps improve their environment.

In order to establish a project that encompasses both conservation and local community perspectives, organisations have to adapt their conservation strategy to local challenges. Successfully engaging and working with the local community means that the conservation team should be ready for any situation that might arise. To achieve this, strategies should be developed on a case by case basis and adapted to the communities’ needs.

Senior Scientist, Nature Conservation Foundation & Program Head, Holématthi Nature Foundation

Project: Recovering Tigers in the Confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats

Deputy Country Director of Wildlife Conservation Society, Lao PDR Program

Project: Securing Corridors to Connect Populations of Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons

Director General, Swiss Centre for Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS)

Project: Protecting Threatened Monkeys Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Conservation Project Officer, Ny Tanintsika

Project: Sustainable Lemur Conservation and Community-Based Action in the Ambositra-Vondrozo Forest Corridor

Director of Conservation Programme Development, Lion Landscapes (replacing Dr Amy Dickman)

Project: Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict and Empowering Communities in Tanzania’s Ruaha Landscape

Head, Elephant Research and Conservation Division & Head, Conservation and Livelihood Division of Aaranyak

Project: Securing Source Population of Tiger, Prey and Habitats in Indo-Bhutan Manas Landscape

Regional Coordinator, Madagasikara Voakajy

Project: Saving the Lemurs of Mangabe and their Habitat

Director, Snow Leopard Foundation & Country Coordinator, Snow Leopard Trust

Project: Saving Snow Leopards and their Prey Species in Kyrgyzstan

As a part of our SOS African Wildlife initiative, co-funded by the European Union, Rapid Action Grants are still available for projects implemented in South Africa and responding to threats linked to the COVID-19 crisis.