Conservation News
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3 ways Indigenous knowledge protects nature
On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Conservation News is highlighting three stories about Indigenous peoples on the frontlines of protecting the nature they rely on.
August 9, 2023
3 things our experts loved in July
Conservation International is powered by 1,500 people in more than 30 countries — their interests, like their hometowns, are all over the map. In this monthly feature, our experts share some of their favorite things.
July 31, 2023
Countries agreed to protect 30% of the planet. Now what?
More than six months ago, nearly every country signed on to the most ambitious plan ever to protect nature — a sweeping framework that aims to conserve 30 percent of the planet's land and waters by 2030. It’s an unprecedented agreement. So, what’s next?
July 26, 2023
3 things our experts loved in June
Conservation International is powered by 1,500 people in more than 30 countries — their interests, like their hometowns, are all over the map. In this monthly feature, our experts share some of their favorite things.
June 29, 2023
Study: Protecting the ocean benefits people and nature
Across the globe, marine protected areas help struggling fish populations and ecosystems recover and flourish. But what impact do they have on the people living nearby? A new study finds big benefits for both biodiversity and coastal communities.
June 22, 2023
News spotlight: Just how big is the ocean plastic problem?
Every year, up to 10 million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans — an amount so large it’s hard to visualize. Two journalists from Al Jazeera found that if flattened, ocean plastic today would cover an area roughly the size of Jamaica.
June 21, 2023
News spotlight: How Indigenous communities brought a sacred caiman back from the brink
For years, two communities in southeast Colombia have worked to protect the black caiman — the largest predator in the Amazon River basin, which was hunted to near extinction in the area for its highly-prized skin.
May 26, 2023
When protecting nature helps build peace
As climate change accelerates, there's a growing sense of urgency to address how changes to our ecosystems can lead to conflict. For years, Conservation International has worked to bring environmental peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity to its work.
May 25, 2023
In Amazon, small towns are a force of nature
Years ahead of schedule, Bolivia has met an ambitious goal to protect 30 percent of its land — and that's thanks in large part to Amazonian towns and villages that are accelerating the pace and scale of conservation in the country.
April 12, 2023
News Spotlight: Indigenous land stewardship key to preserving Amazon carbon sinks
In case you missed it: The Amazon is the ecological jewel of the world, home to nearly 400 billion trees and 10,000 species at risk of extinction. It’s also the world’s largest terrestrial carbon sink. Yet a new report shows those climate benefits are not uniformly distributed.
January 23, 2023
Meet 3 Indigenous women fighting for the future of the Amazon
Meet three of Conservation International's Amazonia Indigenous Women's fellows working to protect the world's largest rainforest.
August 9, 2022
News spotlight: Gullah Geechee people look to nature to save their coastlines — and culture
In case you missed it: Communities across the southern coast of the U.S. are now losing their land — and the culture it represents — to sea-level rise. Nature can help.
August 1, 2022
Nature meets culture: Art exhibit explores Indigenous ‘water defenders’ — and more
Here's some recent arts and culture news to help bring nature to life, wherever you are.
July 14, 2022
Climate change is keeping people up at night — literally: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: Rising temperatures are disrupting peoples’ slumber, carbon offsets are helping the Indigenous Hadza people protect the forests they depend on and elephants are consuming massive amounts of plastic from dumpsters in India.
May 31, 2022
Decolonizing conservation to protect nature and people: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: Indigenous researchers explore what decolonizing conservation looks like, New Zealand’s government released a “National Adaptation Plan” that aims to prepare for future climate disasters, and transformational changes are necessary to adapt to climate change and biodiversity...
May 2, 2022
To spur action, don’t give in to ‘climate doom’: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: Scientists fight "climate doom," forests managed by Indigenous peoples are powerful carbon sinks and honey from stingless bees in the Amazon can treat a range of ailments.
April 11, 2022
A plan to stop plastic pollution: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: A first-of-its-kind resolution will tackle plastic pollution, a recent report highlights the inequities inherent in the climate crisis and permafrost in the Arctic could release massive amounts of methane.
March 7, 2022
Ecuador’s highest court affirms Indigenous land rights: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: Indigenous groups in Ecuador secured a major victory against extractive industries, climate change is fueling inflation and experts say the expansion of renewables does not need to come at the expense of fragile ecosystems.
February 14, 2022
5 wins for nature in 2021
Good news: 2021 saw a series of major wins for the climate, for wildlife and for habitats around the worldwide. Here are 5 of them.
December 15, 2021
Nature meets culture: an Indigenous climate warrior, Mother Nature’s silly side and more
It can be hard to connect with nature in our daily lives. But with a little help, you can find nature everywhere. With that in mind, here are a few shows, podcasts and more that can help bring nature to life for you, wherever you are.
December 10, 2021
New map pinpoints where people depend on nature the most
A new study is the first to quantify people’s dependence on nature, and underscores the extent of the threat that climate change and the destruction of nature pose to human life.
October 4, 2021
Meet a scientist: To adapt to climate change, this expert looks to nature
Conservation News spoke with Conservation international's Giacomo Fedele about the ways in which communities are adapting to rising temperatures on their own terms and how he manages to stay optimistic despite an uncertain climate future.
September 29, 2021
Experts: To achieve global conservation goals, secure Indigenous rights
The global goal to protect nearly a third of Earth’s land and sea could help or hurt Indigenous peoples depending on how it is achieved.
August 9, 2021
Meet a scientist: the fisheries aficionado
Ana Gloria Guzmán-Mora is the executive director of Conservation International’s Costa Rica program, where she works with local communities and governments to help them meet their goals for protecting the planet.
July 22, 2021
Notes from the field: For communities, conservation brings business opportunities
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
January 21, 2021
New science: restoring forests, coastal protection and more
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent scientific research published by Conservation International experts.
January 14, 2021
2020 in review: Against COVID and social inequality, Indigenous peoples persevered
This month, Conservation News is revisiting some of the most interesting and significant stories and issues we covered in 2020.
December 30, 2020
Meet a scientist: the community connector
Patricia Dunne is the director of applied social science at Conservation International, where she works to amplify the voices of some of conservation’s most critical allies: local communities.
December 3, 2020
Kenya’s wildlife tourism, a casualty of COVID, gets a lifeline
The loss of tourism revenue in the Maasai Mara could spell trouble for the very species that tourists come to see. Now, wildlife conservancies are getting a lifeline.
November 19, 2020
New science: Saving freshwater species, lessons from China and more
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent scientific research published by Conservation International experts.
November 12, 2020
Notes from the field: Sun-powered water, COVID and fishing, and more
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
October 22, 2020
Indigenous leaders: To tackle climate change, ‘we must first address racial inequality’
For insight into how Indigenous peoples are fighting for their lands during lockdown — while simultaneously addressing deep-rooted racial inequality — Conservation News tapped two Indigenous leaders at Conservation International.
August 6, 2020
For billions without clean water, ‘wash your hands’ is complicated
Conservation News spoke with Conservation International’s Colleen Sorto about how when it comes to water and human health, where your water comes from can be just as important as how you use it.
June 17, 2020
Pandemic crippling small-scale fishing worldwide, study finds
Conservation News spoke to Conservation International’s Dr. Elena Finkbeiner, about her new paper that analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fisheries — and what must happen to pave the road to recovery.
May 26, 2020
Notes from the field: Indigenous peoples protecting nature through tradition
Right now, around the world, the work of protecting nature and the climate is happening in the field — and achieving small triumphs that don’t make the news. Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
April 29, 2020
2020 was supposed to be the ‘super year for nature.’ What now?
As the pandemic continues, Conservation International climate experts offer the steps that countries and individuals must take to ensure that postponing climate conferences won’t mean postponing action.
April 22, 2020
For Indigenous peoples, pandemic poses unique risks
In a recent article, the director of Conservation International's Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program explained why the COVID-19 pandemic affirms the need to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples.
April 14, 2020
In photos: From forest to mega-city, a river’s journey
An Indonesian river is transformed as it winds downstream.
June 15, 2016
Mud, parrots and parasites: Filming the rainforest in virtual reality
One crew member counts down his most memorable moments from CI’s VR film shoot in Amazonia.
February 13, 2017
Before and after: In four short years, new forest takes root
On the edge of an Indonesian national park, a photographer documents farmland being reclaimed by the trees.
May 25, 2016
My ‘aha!’ moment: In Madagascar, a fisheries discussion without the fishers
How working with octopus fishers in Madagascar led Kame Westerman to make a surprising discovery about women and conservation.
March 7, 2017
New pact enlists locals to help protect a jewel of South America
A new agreement will enable local communities in Suriname to generate income in a way that keeps their forest and traditional livelihoods intact.
August 22, 2017
On a typhoon-swept island, one town rebuilds its coast guard: nature
In this series of photos, Human Nature looks at one community’s efforts to rebuild what has been lost.
September 1, 2017
Photo essay: In South Africa, a woman’s struggle to sustain the land that sustains her
At an age when many people are slowing down, Gertruida Cloete continues to face daily hardships while protecting her fragile, wild home.
March 6, 2016
Protected area or ‘paper park’? Ocean protection means more than lines on a map
An inside look into how the world’s “biggest common resource” is managed — or not.
September 2, 2016
What makes a good nature photo? An expert explains
Human Nature sat down with Conservation International’s photography manager to talk about three of her favorite photos.
June 14, 2018
How an ancient tradition could save Hawai‘i’s oceans
The revival of traditional fishponds can be good for communities and coral reefs alike.
September 5, 2016
2019 in review: For indigenous peoples, a year of action
This month, Conservation News is revisiting some of the most interesting and significant stories and issues we covered in 2019.
December 18, 2019
As native plants vanish, parched Moroccan peaks get seeds of hope
Community nurseries are helping mountain villagers protect their livelihoods in the face of a changing world.
November 15, 2016
The hidden star of ‘Moana’: the Pacific voyaging canoe
For centuries, these boats have connected Pacific Islanders with the sea they depend on.
December 15, 2016
How an accidental forest saved a village from a storm for the ages
In coastal Philippines, local people are discovering that by protecting nature, they can protect themselves.
November 24, 2015
The trees that could make or break Mexico City’s future
CI’s Jürgen Hoth talks air pollution, the illegal drug trade and why planting trees isn’t always the answer.
December 15, 2016
Key to protecting the ocean? Money and manpower, study finds
There are two keys to protecting our oceans: funding and staff. Without these elements, we’re putting our oceans at risk.
March 22, 2017
Two ears, one mouth
In South Africa’s Eastern Cape conservationists are connecting with local communities through culture, science and shared values.
August 9, 2017
Indigenous-led conservation takes center stage in ‘Under the Canopy’
Follow indigenous guide Kamanja Penashekung deep into the forests of Amazonia in Conservation International’s latest virtual reality film.
February 6, 2017
Meet a scientist: To study conservation, she studies people
A social scientist at Conservation International explains the complex link between humans and nature in a Q&A with Conservation News.
November 21, 2019
‘Protecting nature, building peace’: Indigenous activist wins prestigious award
Conservation International’s Senior Indigenous Fellow Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim wins the 2019 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award.
November 14, 2019
Women’s work: Fighting for nature
Jennifer Morris describes her five female role models in conservation.
March 8, 2018
Where unsustainable mining once reigned, ‘radical change’ beckons
Conservation International is helping indigenous peoples in the region to shift their economic dependence from mining to sustainable tourism, capitalizing on the draw of the salt flats.
January 31, 2019
To improve crop yields, just add trees
In an Indonesian province plagued by deforestation, a group of women farmers has found a more sustainable way to feed their families.
October 20, 2016
Ashes to action: 3 things we know about the Amazon fires
Here are 3 takeaways about the Amazon fires from Conservation International scientists.
October 22, 2019
Verdicts in turtle conservationist’s murder a rare rebuke of crimes against environmentalists
Jairo Mora Sandoval was a victim of a war between poachers and environmentalists on a Costa Rican beach.
April 11, 2016
3 reasons for optimism this Earth Day
This Earth Day (April 22), you could be forgiven for feeling gloomy about the state of our planet.
April 21, 2017
As a vital lake vanishes, a woman fights for the people it leaves behind
Indigenous woman and “climate warrior” Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim has brought the struggles of her community onto the global stage.
April 5, 2016
How to fix Earth’s broken landscapes? Start with forests, farms, finance
Scientists, indigenous activists, teenagers, farmers, CEOS and more met at the Global Landscapes Forum, closing out Climate Week by discussing the importance of restoring nature.
September 30, 2019
Climate Week: Money, nature and what really matters
The three themes that stood out over the course of Climate Week were protecting nature to protect the climate, finding funding for conservation and valuing nature beyond science and policies.
September 26, 2019
‘My Africa’ field notes: Good fences can make uneasy neighbors
Conservation International works to conserve wildlife while delivering justice to communities in South Africa.
March 23, 2018
Indonesian coffee farmers grapple with climate of uncertainty
Shifting weather patterns may make coffee harder to grow in North Sumatra — but it’s still better than the alternative.
February 5, 2016
New tool could map out how countries adapt to a changing world
The latest edition of CI’s podcast series, “Inside Science,” explores the groundbreaking possibilities of the Resilience Atlas.
November 9, 2016
What on Earth is ‘land tenure’?
The concept of land tenure has major implications for conservation.
October 6, 2016
How Incan ruins and Brazil nuts are fighting deforestation in Bolivia
Through conservation agreements, indigenous Bolivian communities are expanding their incomes while leaving forests standing.
March 3, 2017
In Peru’s Amazon, voices from the community prove conservation is reaping rewards
Zoila Álvarez describes her life in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and how it has changed since she signed a conservation agreement.
March 13, 2018
On remote Philippine island, female forest rangers are a force to be reckoned with
Palawan communities are linked to the land by tradition, spirituality and survival — and women like Nolsita Siyang are rising up to defend it.
March 8, 2016
Study clears the waters on a dirty threat to Hawai‘i’s reefs
Of all the threats facing Hawai’i’s coasts and coral reefs, one of the trickiest to stop is mud.
January 20, 2016
‘My Africa’ field notes: Portraits of hope for Africa’s elephants
Here are some of our favorite photos taken at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, with stories about the elephants and the caregivers who look after them.
April 4, 2018
Meet 3 Indigenous women fighting to save the planet
On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, we share the stories of three indigenous women fighting to protect the environment.
August 9, 2019
Murders of environmental activists reflect chronic clashes over resource use
The tragic loss of Berta Cáceres and other activists is a frightening omen for the future of the land they fought to protect.
March 31, 2016
As Colombia pursues peace, nature could be powerful bridge
One of the country’s greatest assets offers a powerful route toward reconciliation.
September 30, 2016
An accidental ranger finds his calling
When a scientist finds himself in the middle of anti-poaching operations, he asks himself whether there is a better way to conserve nature.
July 31, 2017
Indigenous leaders: Traditional knowledge can save the planet
From northern Tanzania to the Peruvian Amazon, ancient knowledge could have important implications for how people everywhere relate to nature.
June 7, 2016
What ‘sustainability’ means to a lifelong coffee farmer
Editor’s note: On National Coffee Day, we’re taking a look at the people who make your morning cup of joe
September 29, 2017
From machetes to maps: How a ‘red line’ eased conflict in Bolivia’s Amazon
After years of dispute, competing land users found common ground through a map they drew together.
August 19, 2016
Conservation beyond fences
On the world’s youngest continent, finding conservation solutions means going outside the traditional toolbox of protected areas.
August 16, 2017
We can be heroes: Local leaders with super powers for conservation
Fifteen conservationists came together at the World Conservation Congress to showcase the power of community action for the environment.
September 9, 2016
How one ocean voyager uses tradition to connect to the future
Voyagers in Samoa use the Va’a as a way to connect with other cultures while learning to live in harmony with nature.
February 23, 2018
Lessons learned in the ‘Kingdom of Fishes’
For a decade, CI Indonesia has been working in the Kaimana region to restore the health of the ocean and the well-being of the community.
July 5, 2017
Saving the mangroves to save the clams — and a way of life
A community in Colombia ensures their mangroves and clams are around well into the future.
June 21, 2018
For farmers facing a changing climate, a new hope
In southern Guyana, the Rupununi Innovation Fund helps farmers boost their lands’ productivity and build resilience to climate impacts.
November 13, 2016
To save Hawaiian fisheries, scientists look to locals for answers
Two new studies reveal that when it comes to managing fish populations, traditional knowledge can be as important as science.
February 22, 2017
In palm oil, Liberia sees economic boom — but forests may lose
CI Liberia’s Liam Walsh explains the opportunities and challenges that increased palm oil production could pose for the country.
October 28, 2016
Tradition meets tech: Can satellite data help indigenous peoples protect their lands?
A new effort seeks to put data tools in the hands of the people on the front lines of conservation: indigenous communities.
October 25, 2017
Expert: Conservation, indigenous rights at a crossroads
A recently published paper has added to a body of evidence showing that indigenous peoples can be powerful allies for protecting nature.
August 8, 2018
‘We are not tourist attractions’: Indigenous leaders assert their voices in conservation
Indigenous peoples are Earth’s original — and perhaps last — stewards. Their leadership could define the next generation of conservation.
May 5, 2017
Want to change the world? Give women land rights
More women than ever are growing the world’s food — yet men continue to make most land-use decisions.
October 14, 2016
Tourism, traditions combine in fight to save a threatened forest
As their flooded forest disintegrated around them, the Peruvian village of Tingana decided to act.
February 25, 2016
Voices of the Alto Mayo: Women in charge
María Hernández describes her life in the Alto Mayo and how it has changed since she and her sister, Maximila, signed a conservation agreement.
April 3, 2018
Trust fund to help protect some of Philippines’ last primary forests
A new trust fund aims to finance the management of the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape.
October 7, 2016
Illegal logger turned forest champion — with help from hummingbirds
For Norbil Becerra, destroying forests was a necessary evil — until the day he saw a hummingbird.
January 5, 2016
Postcard from the Pacific: In new film, ocean is the star
A new film showcases the relationship that the people of New Caledonia have with nature.
May 28, 2018
Halt in construction of Brazilian dam sign of progress on indigenous rights
This news could signal a shift for historically marginalized communities.
April 28, 2016