People

Empowering Local People in Conservation Work

We recognize the crucial link between healthy, natural areas and the quality of life of the people in and near them. Our work with both urban and rural communities reveals their strengths and aspirations.

Our approach is focused on the assets local people bring to the conservation process and identifies (1) the strengths of their local organizations, (2) their ecological knowledge, (3) their use of natural resources, (4) their cultural practices related to sustainable livelihoods, and (5) their aspirations for the future

	Working with Communities in the Andes-Amazon We work with communities living in or around protected areas. Typically, these are communities whose livelihoods depend heavily or almost entirely on the health of the surrounding forest
	Working with Communities in the Chicago Region We work with local community partners in the Chicago Region to design and develop environmental programs and plans that build on their local assets and on natural resources to address quality of life concerns.