Members of the Women's Beekeeping Initiative

People

we are working to ensure the human pressures on target threatened species are reduced by improving the living conditions of local people and providing them with alternative economic activities by 2030.

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© Felipe Rodriguez
A jar of Mama Asali honey from Tanzania

1. Improve the livelihood of local communities

It is important for our projects to not only protect wildlife, but to also help people to reduce their unsustainable dependency on wildlife for their food and economic activities. That is why IUCN Save Our Species never looks at species in isolation and always supports local communities developing alternative livelihoods. We also build infrastructures, develop capacity, and give local communities the tools they need to succeed. This not only helps them, but ultimately creates an environment where wildlife can thrive.

In 2020, over 23’000 people have benefitted from livelihood interventions, and over 60 local community members have been employed by our grantees as part of the SOS African Wildlife initiative.

Despite the pandemic’s impact on the nascent tourism market in Chad, Zakouma has been able to ensure the continuity and development of its community projects.

Image credit: Felipe Rodriguez
Indian kids

2. Raise awareness

Awareness is one of the simplest and most powerful tools to help protect wildlife. Local communities do not always understand why they should protect wildlife. Many of our projects work closely with local communities and helps them understand why the wildlife that surrounds them is so important, and what they can do to help.

In 2020, our grantees have worked with over 59’000 people on the wildlife crisis. Both the SOS Central Asia and SOS African Wildlife initiatives have reached out to over 6’400 children across various environmental programmes.

Today’s workshop was very informative and definitely mind changing. I have learnt a lot about animal values, the importance of trees and the newly amended Forestry Act. These will all help me to do my job to protect the environment.