ATBC 2008 - Felix

Symposium

Evaluating the changing role(s) of indigenous/traditional communities in forest resources management.

Organizer : Marie-Louise Felix (WWF Guianas) (mlfelix -at- wwf.sr)

In striving to successfully achieve biodiversity conservation, biologists and Governments now acknowledge the importance of factoring in the function of “local persons” into their management models. There has been significant investment over decades, throughout the developing world, into the conservation of human occupied biodiversity hotspots, and yet, surprisingly, the number of success stories continue to be few and far between. There are still too many species being classified as endangered, or threatened with extinction. We continue to lose valuable habitats to inappropriate farming and infrastructure development.

Successful conservation must incorporate all the components that make up or impact on the target eco-system. It is not enough to incorporate rural persons or those persons who live in and around the target sites into the implementation phase of the conservation model. Involvement must occur at the very beginning, from the problem identification phase. Then, through continued dialogue and other actions, the role of the target group will continue into the problem solving phase(s).

In light of this consideration, it is recommended that biologists evaluate strategies that incorporate existing human traditions and survival needs for a particular site and cross reference this with biological resources and ecological services associated with the site. Which conservation models work may differ based on the site, human culture and demographics, and the biological resources involved. A review of the models that incorporate human intervention as a key component to conservation may help conservation workers improve the success rate of their programs.

The Symposium will review the roles of indigenous and rural persons in forest management and conservation. It will investigate various mechanisms which help identify the particular and potential role of forest communities in conservation and will explore the models that have led to successful forest conservation projects whilst securing long-term benefits for persons living within the target sites. Strategies will be examined carefully to determine common factors that can be replicated at other target sites.

List of invited speakers

Zakiya Aloyce (Conservation Department, Worldwide Fund for Nature - Tanzania Programme Office). Improving natural resources use on the eastern side of Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania.

Odessa Duncan (Sustainable Forest Management, WWF Guianas). Linking indigenous communities development with sustainable resource management: a case study of Batavia and Kwebana, Guyana.

Christina Eghenter (Community Empowerment, WWF Indonesia). Building landscape-based conservation constituencies for sustainable development.

Marie-Louise Felix (Species Conservation, WWF Guianas). Changing traditions and habits in response to global threats: models for sustainable management of marine turtles in the Guianas.

Hendrie Karijoikromo, Minu Parahoe (WWF Guianas, Paramaribo). Community of Longmay takes action in sustainable resource use: case study Bigi Pan MUMA, Suriname.

Haidy Malone (Forest Management, WWF Guianas). Marshall kreek, Suriname : a pilot project to shift from forest depletion to responsible use.

Minu Parahoe (Freshwater Conservation, WWF Guianas). Community of Longmay takes action in sustainable resource use: Case study Bigi Pan MUMA.

Sandra Valenzuela (Programme Director, WWF Colombia). Living landscapes for livelihoods: a collective action to reduce forest conversion and marginalization in Colombia.

Aiesha Williams (Freshwater Conservation, WWF Guianas). Community-Based Management of the Arapaima in Guyana: Our successes and challenges thus far.

Maroons in Boven Suriname with M-L Felix. (c) Jerrel Pinas

SPONSORSHIPS

WWF-Guianas