For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), co-designing conservation projects that not only protect biodiversity but also enhance the wellbeing of communities. Through these experiences, it has become undeniably clear that conservation efforts must integrate social dimensions to be truly effective. Conservation is not only about preserving nature; it is about respecting and uplifting the people who have been its stewards for generations.
People and Nature: An Inseparable Relationship
The bond between people and nature runs deep. For many Indigenous communities, nature is not a resource to be exploited but a relative, a source of life, and a foundation of cultural identity. Traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, offers invaluable insights into sustainable practices that modern conservation efforts can learn from.
However, recognizing this relationship goes beyond appreciating traditional practices; it demands a commitment to rights and justice. Respecting Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples are essential steps toward ethical conservation. When communities are empowered to steward their lands, conservation outcomes are stronger, more enduring, and more equitable.
Social Science: The Heart of Effective Conservation
Social science provides critical tools for understanding human behavior, motivations, governance systems, cultural contexts, and the socio-economic drivers that impact the environment. By drawing from disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, economics, and political science, conservationists can gain a holistic view of the complex human-nature interactions that shape ecological outcomes.
A crucial aspect of social science in conservation is its emphasis on research that explores people’s beliefs, values, and lived experiences. Understanding what motivates people to engage in (or resist) conservation behaviors—such as adopting sustainable land use or protecting species—is essential. Equally important is identifying the barriers that prevent desired behaviors, whether they are cultural, economic, or institutional. Social science helps uncover these dimensions and tailor strategies that resonate deeply with community contexts.
Qualitative research methods—such as participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups—play a pivotal role in uncovering nuanced insights into how communities relate to nature. These tools provide an empathetic, context-sensitive approach that can reveal contradictions, tensions, or opportunities that might be overlooked by purely quantitative approaches. Observing how communities interact with their environments on a daily basis often yields valuable understanding that informs more effective and respectful conservation planning.
Culture and practice are also at the heart of conservation success. Recognizing how traditions, rituals, and customary laws influence environmental management enables practitioners to align conservation efforts with existing frameworks of stewardship. Rather than imposing external solutions, social science encourages us to work with the grain of local culture, fostering stronger, more durable outcomes.
Through co-designing conservation projects with IPLCs, we have learned that success is deeply tied to how well initiatives resonate with local realities. Projects must be tailored, flexible, and rooted in mutual respect. Moreover, success must be measured not only in biological terms but also by improvements in community wellbeing, empowerment, and resilience.
Lessons from Two Decades: Stewardship, Ethics, and Impact
Reflecting on two decades of experience, the most powerful lessons come from stories of partnership, perseverance, and shared learning. Throughout my journey, I have had the opportunity to work with inspiring organizations and communities that have shaped my understanding of conservation.
At Rare, I focused on social marketing approaches to understand people’s behaviors, motivations, and barriers to conservation action. Through targeted campaigns, we designed strategies that responded directly to community values and aspirations, successfully reducing threats to biodiversity while enhancing local stewardship.
With BirdLife International, I worked to involve civil society in citizen science initiatives, empowering communities to participate in bird conservation efforts. This participatory approach not only generated valuable scientific data but also fostered a deep sense of pride and ownership in the protection of local avian biodiversity.
Currently, at Permian Global, I lead socio-economic research initiatives that inform the design of the community components of REDD+ projects. By working closely with Indigenous and local communities living in and around project areas, we are creating initiatives that not only mitigate climate change but also build resilience, secure rights, and promote authentic stewardship of conservation landscapes.
True stewardship emerges when communities are not just participants but leaders in conservation efforts. Empowering local voices fosters a sense of ownership and pride that no top-down approach can replicate. Ethics must guide every step of conservation work. Inclusive, rights-based conservation is not only morally right; it is practically effective. When conservation initiatives respect culture, promote justice, and nurture community leadership, they yield profound impacts on both biodiversity and human wellbeing.
The link between social science and conservation is not optional; it is essential. To protect nature, we must first understand and uplift the people who live closest to it. By embracing rights-based, community-centered approaches, we can co-create a future where both nature and people thrive together. The path forward is clear: Conservation must be as much about people as it is about the planet.
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(blog courtesy of Itala Yépez : EcoStrategist)
