WildShare International

Applied Conservation Science

The Applied Conservation Science program conducts ecological and social science research relating to conservation issues. We work with local communities, non-governmental and governmental organizations, as well as research and educational institutions. The research activities are focused in two areas: (1) partner directed studies that address their particular needs, and (2) projects that explore broad scale conservation, resource use and development issues. Work is disseminated through publications, technical reports, manuals, conferences, and workshops.

Community-based Conservation and Development

The CBCD program incorporates community development, technical assistance, education, and conservation support to assist communities in conservation initiatives. In collaboration with local partners, we support, coordinate, and implement infrastructure and resource development projects that sustainably utilize local resources to improve people's quality of life. We provide technical assistance and support to our partners to build capacity through education and training activities that respond to local conservation and management needs. Within our activities we promote and incorporate the use of local/traditional ecological knowledge to inform and empower education, conservation strategies, policy, and development alternatives. Projects may focus on, but are not limited to non-timber forest product development, agroforestry development, nature guide training, eco-tourism, and resource mapping and monitoring protocols.

People, Policy and Protected Areas

This program seeks to resolve people-conservation conflicts in nature reserves and protected areas. Currently, there are 425 United Nations designated Biosphere Reserve and numerous state, federal, and private protected areas. Often, success is dependent on local communities who live, manage, and utilize local natural resources. Unfortunately, they are also the most likely group to be left out of policy development and reserve management activities. A series of projects are being conducted that seek to develop unique ways to integrate local communities into the conservation process and empower local land stewardship.