WWF-UK’s Post

In Western Australia, a Conservation Model for the World Co-management of new parks with Indigenous Australians benefits nature and people The significance of Plan for Our Parks transcends conservation. The initiative is an act of reconciliation and respect for the Traditional Owners of these lands because it prioritizes the establishment of parks through joint-management agreements and acknowledges the deep, spiritual connection Indigenous peoples have with their ancestral territories. This approach also offers a pathway to healing from centuries of inequity and a chance to move forward in partnership, in part by recognizing First Nations’ invaluable knowledge about – and longstanding stewardship of – Australia’s natural heritage. https://lnkd.in/guTp7nM7

A #mustread article on BINGOs in Conservation- "Revealed: Big conservation NGOs are majority governed by finance figures" "CI, TNC, WWF-US and WCS - their huge power and influence. These four NGOs set the global conservation agenda in many ways. They work in over 100 countries and territories across six continents, running multi-million-dollar projects that cover hundreds of millions of hectares. They actively aim to influence national and global policy, and are a leading voice at multilateral forums like the UN. The NGOs also boast huge financial power. Collectively, the four organisations have an annual revenue of $2 billion, dwarfing the modest budgets of local, national, and even regional conservation groups. They have combined total assets worth over $11.6 billion, a figure higher than the annual GDP of 20 African countries " https://lnkd.in/gd7mXMnt

"They range from the CEOs of investment banks, to the directors of venture capital firms, to – in three instances – the wives of millionaire or billionaire private equity execs. Many of these figures are affiliated with global behemoths such as JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and the Blackstone Group. Dozens more are from lesser-known finance companies that nonetheless manage up to hundreds of billions of dollars. Trustees of non-profits are legally responsible for governing NGOs and setting their strategic direction, vision, and goals. African Arguments spoke to several conservation specialists who raised concerns over the unaccountability of the big conservation organisations and the potentially divergent interests of conservation and finance. They also warned of the spiralling dangers of market-based approaches to conservation challenges. ... The NGOs also boast huge financial power. Collectively, the four organisations have an annual revenue of $2 billion, dwarfing the modest budgets of local, national, and even regional conservation groups. They have combined total assets worth over $11.6 billion, a figure higher than the annual GDP of 20 African countries. According to Aby Sène, an assistant professor in parks and conservation area management at Clemson University, this political and financial weight makes the four NGOs “extremely powerful”. “They even define what’s a crisis and design the measurements that are then used in policy discussions,” she says. “They effectively control the global discourse around conservation.” Sène suggests that the influence of these few NGOs has led to a “monopoly” of ideas – and not just globally. In most of countries in which they work, these big organisations’ financial and political power is of a different magnitude to that of their local counterparts. According to some conservationists working in Africa, the big NGOs can end up dominating the national conservation space. “They are the big shots, and they know it,” said the leader of a marine conservation organisation in South Africa, who asked to remain anonymous for fears that public criticism could jeopardise their future activities. “If I wanted to get funding from WWF-South Africa, I would need to align with their vision and mission. It’s very cut and dry. ... “They are used to working with weak organisations who they can walk over,” added a Massai leader who runs a rights and justice-based conservation organisation in Kenya and who asked to remain anonymous for the same reason. “Very few can resist because of funding. Even government agencies that are meant to regulate those NGOs are dependent on them.” This power imbalance is especially significant given that many local organisations vehemently disagree with the approach of the four NGOs. In particular, many accuse these big organisations of engaging in “Fortress Conservation”."

Reimagining Conservation | Theme 4 💭🌱 Equity in managing Country This week we’re talking about equity in managing Country, the fourth key theme to emerge from the inaugural Reimagining Conservation Forum – Working together for Healthy Country, held in Meanjin / Brisbane on Yuggerah and Turrbal Country in 2022. A significant barrier to Indigenous peoples being successful in in managing their own lands is inequities in funding, resource allocation, and systems of government. Despite the fact that Indigenous protected areas (IPAs) comprise 50% of Australia’s National Reserve System and are included in Australia’s reporting to global agreements, IPAs still receive less funding per hectare than government-gazetted reserves. We need: • Indigenous peoples to have control over decision-making and resources • Better alignment across relevant government departments to support Indigenous land and sea management programs • Equity in funding, skills, capacity, education and self-determination • Sustained and appropriate training opportunities for Indigenous peoples to take up leadership positions It’s time to start looking after the people who are looking after Country. To find out more about how we can achieve equity in managing Country, read the full Reimagining Conservation Report here ➡️🔗https://bit.ly/3vl8Ota We can’t wait to lead the next Reimagining Conservation Forum this August 19—22 on Djabugay country. Registrations opening soon! 📃🖊 --- The 2022 Reimagining Conservation Forum was jointly convened by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance, Australian Committee for IUCN, and Protected Areas Collaboration for Learning & Research. #LookingAfterCountry #AustralianConservation #NAILSMA #IndigenousKnowledge #IndigenousPeople #FirstNationsKnowledge

Our latest blog dives into a fascinating meta-analysis of governance in community conservation efforts around the world. Neil Dawson and colleagues reviewed 648 studies from 99 countries (!) to develop a ladder of community governance types, from total exclusion at the bottom to complete autonomy at the top. They then compared the conservation and social outcomes for each of these levels using subsets of their original dataset. What they found is powerful: greater power to communities = better conservation and social outcomes! Here, we reflect on what this study means for southern African communities that are at various levels of the governance ladder, and how they could go about climbing to the top. What are your thoughts? How do we keep climbing to benefit wildlife and people? https://lnkd.in/dggEU-Sh

Check out the latest blog by our partners Resource Africa, featuring a fascinating meta-analysis by Neil Dawson et al. on governance in community conservation efforts worldwide. The bottom line of their findings is compelling: "If Indigenous peoples and local communities succeed in climbing the governance ladder, we all win. Improved conservation outcomes will help achieve the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework, while better social outcomes align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." Read more about it below! #CommunityConservation #Governance #SustainableDevelopment

Namibia hosted Africa’s 1st community-led conservation congress. Where will it lead?: By Victoria Scheneider Via Mongabay Hundreds of Indigenous and local community groups, conservation organizations, governments and policymakers gathered to strategize how communities can play a bigger role in African conservation efforts, which are typically dominated by big international NGOs. However, the outcomes of the congress were vague, and some participants concluded that the dependence on large NGOs and policymakers, through equitable partnerships, was needed. Organizers say this congress is a starting point to elevating community voices in Africa while they’ve chosen a new alliance, the Alliance for Indigenous People and Local Communities for Conservation in Africa (AICA), to be a representative voice for communities across the continent. Last week, communities and conservation stakeholders from across the African continent gathered in Windhoek, Namibia, to attend the first Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ Conservation Congress. “IPLCs themselves organized this congress, set the agenda and led the discussions,” said Patrick Kipalu, Africa director of the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). “It was a space where decision-makers, NGOs, donors, conservation organizations and communities came together to find common solutions.” The conservation agenda in Africa, and ensuing conferences, are typically led and directed by big international NGOs, or BINGOs, and a global network of scientists and […] The post Namibia hosted Africa’s 1st community-led conservation congress. Where will it lead? first appeared on Future Media.

More than 100 countries have pledged to conserve 30% of their lands and ocean territories by 2030—also known as “30 by 30.” Four organizations, including The Nature Conservancy in Africa, founded an initiative called Enduring Earth to support nations in turning that ambition into reality. Central to our approach is a model known as Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) that secures long-term investment to achieve tangible, measurable goals that encompass both social and environmental benefits. Projects are collaboratively designed, locally led, nationally supported, sustainably funded, highly accountable, and guided by a commitment to uphold the rights of communities. Enduring Earth has already supported six countries globally to develop PFPs, conserving more than 120 million hectares. TNC is now working toward PFPs in Kenya and Gabon. According to most recent reports, 21.6% of Kenya’s land is protected or conserved, inclusive of more than 160 community conservancies. Yet 68% of the country’s wildlife have been lost in the last 30 years and more than 200 species are endangered. National investment in conservation management continually falls far short of the need. A PFP would support the government to bring another 2 million hectares under conservation management for a total of nearly 18 million, and by mobilizing significant, sustainable funding for implementing a national conservation plan, a PFP would help ensure that conserved lands effectively support wildlife while also strengthening resource rights for approximately 12 million people living in community conservancies. Our Africa Year in Review 2023 is now available, showcasing the impactful stories and milestones from across the region. Discover more here: https://lnkd.in/dxsTRVdr 📸 © Roshni Lodhia

The Sg Pin Conservation Area in Kinabatangan, Sabah, is vital for Malaysia's conservation efforts due to its rich biodiversity and varied habitats. Stretching across lowland rainforests along the Kinabatangan River, it shelters endangered species like elephants, orangutans, and proboscis monkeys. Diverse ecosystems, including riparian forests and mangrove swamps, support unique plant and animal life. Conservation initiatives, involving government, NGOs, and local communities, prioritize habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and responsible tourism. Yet, challenges such as deforestation and human-wildlife conflicts persist, highlighting the ongoing need for conservation efforts. The area also appeals to ecotourists, aiding conservation while facilitating research and community involvement. Sustainable practices are essential for safeguarding the Sg Pin Conservation Area and its precious biodiversity for future generations. Video Produced by: Cede Prudente, Andrew Chung and North Borneo Pictures Sdn. Bhd.