Discussion Module 12 - Community Based Conservation

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Community-based conservation involves efforts to safeguard and protect biodiversity led by individuals who exist in these spaces. Local communities integrate local knowledge, practicality, and priorities in combination with global scientific efforts to protect the environment. 1. In your own words, discuss why community-based conservation is so important for both humans and the environment. Use specific examples to discuss. 2. Do you believe that science and local communities can work alongside one another to address biodiversity related issues? What challenges may exist and what could be the potential for success? Why might a disconnect between these two become detrimental to conservation? 1. Community-based conservation (CBC) is vital for humans and the environment because it recognizes the intertwined relationship between communities and the ecosystems that surround them. CBC puts emphasis upon building conservation efforts from the bottom up by enabling local efforts through tools, methods, education and funding. These resources are combined with the deep wellspring of traditional knowledge that can often be found in rural communities to create effective conservation strategies that promote a harmonious coexistence (What Is Community Conservation? (in 90 Seconds), 2021). CBC was initially the brainchild of Dr. Rob Horowitz, the man who founded Community Conservation Inc. in 1989 as a response to the success of the Community Baboon Sanctuary in Belize (How We Got Started - Community Conservation, 2021). Over the last 34 years, they have collaborated with numerous villages across multiple countries to protect over 1.2 million acres of land (Our Impact - Community Conservation, 2021). However, Dr. Horowitz’ organization is far from the only one that adheres to the principles of community-based conservation. The Yellowstone to Yukon initiative, in their work in the Upper Columbia region of British Columbia, clearly pursue objectives through CBC means (Protect the Columbia River in Southeastern BC, n.d.). In her TED talk, the conservationist Resson Duff mentions a Kenyan program called Warrior Watch that protects farmers’ herds from predation by lions, while simultaneously keeping the lions safe from retaliatory killings. Warrior Watch was founded by a local Samburu warrior to track the location of lion herds and sharing that information with other farmers in the area, leading to a significant reduction in human-lion conflicts. This has allowed the Samburu lion population to triple since the implementation of the program (Duff, 2022). 2. Of course, I certainly believe that science and local communities can work alongside one another on biodiversity issues. There are so many examples of the successful collaboration between communities and scientists (including those mentioned in my answer to part 1), that the answer seems obvious. Of course, that is not to say that such endeavours are guaranteed to succeed - challenges can arise due to differences in perspectives, priorities, and communication gaps. Scientific findings might not align with

traditional beliefs or local needs, leading to frustration and misunderstanding. Power imbalances can also hinder collaboration, as outsiders might not fully appreciate the community's concerns. Furthermore, the worldwide climate crisis has massive effects on biodiversity everywhere, which is beyond local initiatives’ ability to alleviate. A recent example of such an effect came early last week, when horrific fires devastated the island of Maui and burned over 2,000 acres, including the community of Lahaina (Selig, 2023). Setting aside the concerning trend in global temperatures, success for scientific collaborations with local communities is achievable when mutual respect and understanding between parties is established. Participants should remember that learning is often reciprocal in such settings; integrating local knowledge into scientific research enhances its relevance and applicability. Likewise, scientific findings can augment traditional practices, improving resource management and conservation outcomes. A disconnect between scientists and local communities can absolutely become detrimental (from both perspectives). Scientists, who often work by observing systems and finding similarities, could attempt to implement a conservation project only to discover that they are harming the ecosystem they wish to protect. In such a case, local knowledge might have proved crucial to preventing such a blunder. Similarly, if the practices of a rural community are not sustainable, but they refuse to listen to scientific advice, they could over-extract environmental resources to their own future detriment. Moreover, a disconnect between scientists and local communities can breed resentment, undermining conservation efforts and potentially promoting activities harmful to the environment. References Duff, R. K. (2022, May 16). Resson Kantai Duff: Why Africa needs community-led conservation . Www.ted.com. https://www.ted.com/talks/resson_kantai_duff_why_africa_needs_community_led_conse rvation How We Got Started - Community Conservation . (2021, October 1). Community Conservation. https://communityconservation.org/about-us/how-we-got-started/ Our Impact - Community Conservation . (2021, October 1). Community Conservation. https://communityconservation.org/our-work/our-impact-2/

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