In economies where the State or Government does not have capacity to monitor and manage its extensive wilderness areas and biological diversity, the role of forest-based communities as co-managers of their natural resources, can be extremely important to conservation.
Nature clubs, even when focused on children, can be an important tool to reach broader sectors of the community who themselves play significant roles in conservation.
Nature clubs facilitate information sharing, awareness raising, community training for conservation, development of avenues for discussion and consultation, project implementation and establishment of early warning indicators to monitor emerging biodiversity threats.
WWF Species Conservation Objective
Building capacity in forest communities in order to create opportunity and expertise for CBNRM (Community Based Natural Resources Management) or Community Based Co-management of Natural Resources.
Primary areas of focus include:
- Training in Wildlife Management
- Introduction to National Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Legislation and Policies
- Environmental threat assessment
- Leadership skills including public speaking and awareness raising
- Project development and implementation
- Increased understanding of conservation issues: assessed via community and school consultations
- Development and successful implementation of at least one conservation project in 30% of the communities where clubs have been working within 18 months
- At least one project successfully completed in 50% of the communities within 24 months.
- Participation of club members in public speaking events within 18 months.
