Biodiversity conservation and local communities - BirdLife International

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Biodiversity conservation and local communities

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Biodiversity conservation and local communities Human beings depend for their survival on the biodiversity and services provided by healthy ecosystems. This is even more important for the poor living in rural areas. The links between poverty and the environment in rural areas have been demonstrated by many including BirdLife International (BirdLife International 2006). The dependence of the rural poor on their environment is likely to be affected by the impacts of climate change on these ecosystems that is threatening the functions and services they provide (TEEB, 2009). Even if targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are met, climate change is inevitable and therefore adaptation is essential. Tools to ensure the resilience of development projects to climate change impacts are being developed (e.g. CRiSTAL). According to the United Nations, 40% of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean live in rural areas and about 64% of the inhabitants in these areas live below the poverty line. Indigenous people constitute the largest group

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within the rural population (approximately one third) in countries of the region and they are the most vulnerable and have less access to basic services such as education, health care and housing. Social inequality and poverty remain major challenges across the region: according to reports from CEPAL, Latin America is the world’s most unequal region. According to the World Bank, 25% of people survive on less than $ 2 daily. It is essential therefore to develop integrated approaches to address the problems of poverty, vulnerability to climate change, and environmental degradation. In 2009, BirdLife International and its network of partner organisations and collaborators jointly identified over 2,345 globally important high biodiversity sites in the Americas using birds as indicators (Devenish et al 2009). These sites are called Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and the majority of them are located in rural areas. From a preliminary analysis of the protection status of IBAs throughout the hemisphere, 31% of IBAS are fully protected, 22% are partially protected and 37% are not protected. Key to their conservation are the local communities that live in and around these sites as their livelihoods depend on the natural resources these sites provide (BirdLife International 2006). The BirdLife network works in partnership with local communities to ensure the sustainable provision of environmental goods and services while at the same time conserving the rich biodiversity for which IBAs were identified. This

initiative is known as BirdLife’s Local Conservation Group (LCG) approach. LCGs have been described as predominantly groups of volunteers, that have as their objective the conservation of one or more IBA, and who work with BirdLife Partners to help promote conservation and sustainable development at IBAs. The LCG approach is in line with the recommendations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in supporting the preservation and maintenance of traditional knowledge relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and BirdLife sees this form of partnership and empowerment at the local level as essential to achieve Objective 7 of the UN Millennium Development Goals (Ensure Environmental Sustainability). Goal 7 is itself a cross-cutting goal, on which the achievement of other MDGs depends.

The objectives of the workshop were: • To build capacity among BirdLife Partner organisations through the sharing of experiences and lessons learned from conservation projects working with Local Conservation Groups in each country. • To gather and disseminate information to the wider BirdLife Network and the general public about work experiences with Local Conservation Groups in IBAs.

An initial study of LCGs in 12 countries in the Americas in 2005 revealed that there were 209 local groups active in 12 countries (Kerry 2005). Five years later, the number of LCGs has expanded to 220 LCGs spread over 17 countries. This report provides the results of the first BirdLife International Network workshop in the Americas to exchange experiences on LCGs, livelihoods and IBA conservation. The workshop took place in Quito from 15 – 17 September, 2009. Participants included representatives from BirdLife Partners in Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

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Soil/water protection Habitat protection Site protection

Case studies:

Law and policy  Compliance & enforcement Policies & regulations Private sectors standards and codes Legislation

1. Community Management of Non-Timber Forest Resources as a Conservation Strategy for La Sepultura and El Triunfo IBAs, Chiapas, Mexico

Livelihood, economy and others Payment for conservation or ecosystems services Related companies and alternative livelihoods Species management Ex situ conservation Introduction/Reintroduction Species recovery

Guillaume Dahringer, [email protected], Pronatura Mexico. Photo: Guillaume Dahringer

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Results Table 1 shows some selected characteristics of the LCGs of these case studies. Almost all LCGs have clear conservation objectives and the majority have more men involved than

women. All members of the LCGs live in or around the IBAs and the majority of LCGs have legal registration or are in the process of obtaining such recognition.

Pronatura Sur (BirdLife in Mexico) has been working closely with Sierra Madre de Chiapas communities in changing their management and marketing practices of a local palm Chamaedorea quezalteca used for Palm Sunday celebration. Palm leaves are sold nationally as well as exported to the US for this celebration.  The income generated from its exports supports both reforestation and forest conservation at La Sepultura and El Triunfo IBAs. Pronatura is also supporting community efforts to improve control in the use and access to this resource. As a result, a local cooperative of seven communities has been established; of which five are working directly with Pronatura. This effort is having conservation impacts at the ecosystem levels.

Soil/water protection Habitat protection Site protection Law and policy  Compliance & enforcement Policies & regulations Private sectors standards and codes Legislation

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Capacity building Development of alliances and partnerships Funding for conservation Institutional and civil society development

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does not represent the full expertise developed by these NGOs.

Table 2. Thematic areas addressed in the case studies

Education and awareness Awareness and communication Formal education Training

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Table 2 shows the areas that BirdLife Partners and other NGOs worked on with LCGs in the case studies. It Category & Subcategory

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Clear conservation Objectives X √ No. of members 344 70 Men / women / children 177/167 14/48/8 % of adults members living in/around IBA 100% 100% √ X Legal registration √ √ Board or Council

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Table 1. General characteristics of the LCGs discussed at the workshop.

2. Partnership with Communities and Involvement Fostering active participation in conservation. Belize Audubon Society. Belize. Anna D. Hoare, [email protected], Belize Audubon Society. Belize Audubon (BirdLife in Belize) has been working together with communities to advance the conservation of IBAs including some that are PAs and is using this as a model to build the spirit of conservation in these communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Belize Audubon started their work with Local Conservation Groups in IBAs which are protected, developing and implementing operational/management plans – wildlife management, administration, environmental education, enforcement and public awareness, recreation management; hiring staff from communities to work in those sites, developing infrastructure – trail systems, accommodation, access road to attract tourists, etc; starting an environmental education program and creating alternative livelihood opportunities. The experiences demonstrate that communities can be empowered to participate in conservation efforts and benefit from their environment, developing sustainable livelihoods and supporting their families, while conserving biodiversity. The Local Conservation Group approach also encourages a constructive dialogue with the communities, building bridges and catalyzing positive action.

Livelihood, economy and others Payment for conservation or ecosystems services Related companies and alternative livelihoods Species management Ex situ conservation Introduction/Reintroduction Species recovery

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Photos: Dirk Francisco

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3. Restoration of the buffer zone of Park Macaya, Haiti Audubon Society. Haiti. Jean Vilmond Hilaire, [email protected], Haiti Audubon Society. Basic and environmental education, improvement of livelihoods, agroforestry, food marketing, ecotourism, provision of drinking water, conservation of rare and endangered species and the strengthening of community based organisations have been the activities of the Haiti Audubon Society. This project has been working with 14 community based organisations of which two are solely composed of women.

5. Conservation through research, monitoring, awareness and sustainable alternatives in the Jaragua National Park by the Jaragua Community Volunteers, Dominican Republic. Yvonne Arias, [email protected], Grupo Jaragua. Grupo Jaragua (BirdLife in Dominican Republic) started working with a group of local individuals concerned about their environment who then established the Jaragua Community Volunteers Local Conservation Group in June 1995. This LCG is involved in various conservation projects at Jaragua National Park. Activities include research and monitoring, education and environmental awareness and action (through summer camps and beach cleanups), advocacy and exploring alternative sustainable income generating activities adapted to climate change such as ecotourism, the establishment of nurseries and agro-forestry systems with local native and endemic species.

Photos: Haiti Audubon Society

Photos: Grupo Jaragua

6. Co-management of La Ceiba IBA Private Reserve. A Participatory Conservation Initiative in Zapotillo,-Loja, Ecuador. Naturaleza y Cultura Interncional. Bruno Paladines, [email protected], Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional.

The strengthening of local capacities has been the focus of Panama Audubon Society (BirdLife in Panama). Using participatory techniques such as SWOT analysis, Panama Audubon was able to assess community and local authorities’ needs to improve local capacity for wetland management and conservation.

The co-management of La Ceiba IBA Private Reserve is a joint initiative involving the local community, local government and local NGOs, working to conserve the biodiversity and natural resources of the dry forests of southern Ecuador. Nature and Culture International has been working on the monitoring and land use planning and management of the Reserve with the local communities who live around this IBA since 2004. Local capacities have been strengthened to ensure people’s participation in decision-making processes and opportunities to improve livelihoods have been introduced through mechanisms such as the establishment of micro-credit revolving funds in each village and technical support for rural enterprise such as cheese making.

Photos: Sociedad Audubon Panama

Photos: Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional

4. Strengthening Local Conservation Groups at Cienega Las Macanas, Sociedad Audubon Panama. Panamá. Loyda Sánchez, [email protected], Sociedad Audubon Panama.

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9. Community conservation experiences Ayabaca,Piura, Peru. Luis Albán, [email protected], Nature and Culture International. The cloud forests and paramos of the Ayabaca Province are the main water supply for the department of Piura. These fragile ecosystems are considered conservation priorities at local and national levels. Conditions of extreme poverty in these areas condition local conservation strategies. Nature and Culture International has been working with the farming communities that own the land to include conservation initiatives in the planning and management of their lands.

7. Local participation in the conservation of three IBAs in Western Pichincha, Ecuador. Aves y Conservación. Eugenia Endara, [email protected], Aves & Conservacion. Aves & Conservacion (BirdLife in Ecuador) supported the establishment of LCGs at the Mindo-Estribaciones Occidentales del Pichincha, Bancos Milpe and Rio Caoni IBAs. Together with these 3 LCGs and with the support of local governments and the Ministry of the Environment, they jointly prepared and published a conservation plan for these IBAs. This participatory process raised the profile of both LCGs and A&C locally and nationally and also contributed to the establishment of a training process to improve the capacity of the LCGs for environmental management and participatory monitoring.

8. Conservation and Management of the Southwest Area of Llanganates National Park, through the strengthening of environmental management capacity of local stakeholders. Aves y Conservación. Ecuador. Adrián Soria, [email protected], Aves & Conservacion. Aves & Conservacion (BirdLife in Ecuador) has been working to promote biodiversity conservation in Llanganates National Park IBA and its area of influence by strengthening the capacities of Local Conservation Groups, establishing a socio-environmental baseline and by strengthening local government capacities for the sustainable management of natural resources.

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Photos: Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional

10. Indigenous Land Management: A study in the communal lands Tacana III, Bajo Rio Beni IBA, Asociación Armonía. Bolivia. Hugo Araníbar, [email protected], Asociacion Armonia. Photo: Glasgow 2006

Achievements include the consolidation of LCGs, training of 37 birdwatching guides, establishment of the Birdwatching Community Association, implementation of an environmental education programme for schools in the area and advocacy for the site’s conservation.

Armonia (BirdLife in Bolivia) has been working with local communities at the Bajo Rio Beni IBA to ensure the conservation of the Critically Endangered Wattled Curassow Crax globulosa. By working within the Indigenous Land Management System developed by local stakeholders the sustainability of this action increases and creates more opportunities for conservation action. Armonia is taking human population growth trends into account to plan for optimum conservation actions in the medium to long-term.

Photos: Aves & Conservacion

Photo: Milenius Spacnowick

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11. Generating self-sufficiency at a local conservation group related to the Rio Negro IBA, Guyra Paraguay. Paraguay. Rodrigo Zarate, [email protected], Guyra Paraguay. The “Paraguayan Pantanal Eco Club” is the first local conservation group in the district of Bahia Negra, near Rio Negro IBA also a Ramsar Site of the Paraguayan Pantanal. It was created in 2003 with the support of Guyra Paraguay (BirdLife in Paraguay) with the aim of promoting the conservation of the Pantanal through education and public awareness among the local population. This LCG, which is composed of teenagers, supports the indigenous Bahía Negra or Chamacoco Ishir group that depends entirely on the Rio Negro IBA for its livelihood (fisheries and other products). This group represents approximately 60% of the district’s population. In 2005, the LCG won an award to establish a community radio station FM 98.9 Bahia Negra Poty. Since then, running the radio station has become its main activity generating income to all its young members. It is currently providing training on radio management and plans to extend its environmental education programmes to other neighbouring communities including indigenous ones. Ishir individuals have become members of the LCG and are preparing and broadcasting environmental programmes in their native language.

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Lessons learned, recommendations and conclusions Duration of commitment

Attitude

Work with LCGs requires a long-term commitment on the part of the partners (3–10 years). Furthermore, actions should be sustainable and initiated from a local level.

Poverty and the possibility of “another” type of development show that it is necessary to look for economic alternatives and other sources of income, so that LCGs can continue to conserve, protect and safeguard sites.

Understanding the local context – before starting conservation activities Local actors are the “owners” of their resources, and therefore, their conservation and sustainable use depends, in many cases, on the degree of responsibility and empowerment acquired or developed. Photos: Guyra Paraguay

Identifying the interests of LCGs and other local institutions with regard to the use and conservation of natural resources allows the establishment of strategic alliances.

12. Creating a protected area in Bella Union, Artigas Department, Aves Uruguay, Uruguay. Pablo Rocca, [email protected], Aves Uruguay. Aves Uruguay (BirdLife in Uruguay) has been working with and providing support to the Bella Union (GruPAmA) Local Conservation Group. GruPAmA secured funding support from UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme to raise environmental awareness and carry out conservation actions to ensure the sustainable management of Campos de Bella Union IBA and its inclusion in the national system of protected areas.

Before beginning actions at sites, an analysis of local actors should clearly identify leaders within each community in the proposed area of intervention, as well as their interests in the use and management of biodiversity and other natural resources; their attitudes in relation to their conservation; and how they use their territory. A correct evaluation of the pressures placed on resources, and their magnitude, is essential to draw up short, medium and long-term conservation strategies.

The relationship between confidence and transparency among conservation actors guarantees rights and obligations over natural resources and biodiversity in the long term. Ways of working Working with local actors confidence and humility.

requires

respect,

LCGs are useful mechanisms to link the community to conservation initiatives for sites, species and habitats. The role of BirdLife partners should be that of guidance and the evaluation of internal processes within communities when participating in conservation and sustainable use projects and programs. The implementation of joint actions between institutions and local actors strengthens conservation and management of resources.

Community participation in LCGs promotes local pride in their resources. Local wellbeing, conservation and the safeguard of conservation areas depend greatly on LCGs. Photos: Aves Uruguay

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References BirdLife International (2006) Livelihoods and the environment at Important Bird Areas: listening to local voices. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.

Dumas, J. & Kakabadse, Y. (2009) Climate Change and poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. A consultation process. Quito, Ecuador.

BirdLife International (2008) Building Partnership: Working together for conservation and development. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.

Endara, E., Santander, T. Eds. (2009) Planes de Conservación de las IBAs de Mindo y Estribaciones Occidentales del Volcán Pichincha, Los Bancos-Milpe y Río Caoní. Aves & Conservación - Birdlife en Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.

CRiSTAL - Community-based Risk Screening Tool: Adaptation & Livelihoods (http://www.cristaltool.org) Devenish, D., Díaz Fernández, D.F., Clay, R.P., Davidson, I. & Yépez Zabala, I. Eds. (2009). Important Bird Areas AmericasPriority sites for biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International (Birdlife Conservation Series No. 16).

Naciones Unidas (2008) Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. Informe 2008. Nueva York. Estados Unidos de América. TEEB-The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for National and International Policy Makers-Summary: Responding to the Value of Nature. 2009. Wesseling, Germany.

Contributions

Recommended citation: BirdLife International (2010) Biodiversity Conservation and local communities. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International. Edited by: Amiro Perez-Leroux and Itala Yepez. Case study authors: Guillaume Dahringer (Pronatura – Mexico), Anna Hoare (Belize Audubon Society – Belize), Jean Vilmond Hilaire (Haiti Audubon Society – Haiti), Loyda Sanchez (Panama Audubon Society – Panama), Yvonne Arias (Grupo Jaragua – Dominican Republic), Bruno Paladines (Nature and Culture International - Ecuador), Eugenia Endara (Aves & Conservacion – Ecuador), Adrian Soria (Aves & Conservacion – Ecuador), Luis Alban (Nature and Culture Internacional – Peru), Hugo Aranibar (Armonia – Bolivia), Rodrigo Zarate (Guyra Paraguay – Paraguay), Pablo Roca (Aves Uruguay – Uruguay). Reviewed by: David Thomas. Design and layout by: Alejandro Miranda / [email protected]. Printed by: IMPRENTA MARISCAL. In Memoriam: Bolivar Tello (1967 – 2010). Published with the Support from 2010 – the United Nations

International Year of Biodiversity As well as celebrating the diversity of life on Earth, a major theme for the Year of Biodiversity is “Biodiversity for Development and Poverty Alleviation”. This report highlights the BirdLife Partnership’s work in the Americas for poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation.

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