We must work hand-in-hand with communities to achieve biodiversity conservation goals and the broader sustainable development goals. However, substantial evidence is lacking about how development practitioners can best collaborate with communities to realize long-term outcomes. Without adequate evidence, programs risk wasting limited resources and exacerbating undesirable outcomes for at-risk ecosystems and people.
In response, Chemonics and Arizona State University’s (ASU) Center for Biodiversity Outcomes formed the Conservation Solutions Lab (CSL). The CSL convenes multidisciplinary scientists, conservationists, and development practitioners to bring evidence-based practice to designing, implementing and evaluating community-based conservation efforts. The CSL hosts members meetings and knowledge-building workshops (such as the Community Conservation Summit in Kenya) and presents at global advocacy and learning events (such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress). The CSL also co-develops practical tools and recommendations for projects to help communities drive their own conservation efforts. CSL activities build upon the current understanding of trade-offs and synergies between socioeconomic and ecological components of natural ecosystems under the community-based conservation model.
For information on recent CSL activities, visit the ASU CSL webpage. For questions on partnering or to join the CSL network, contact the environmentteam@chemonics.com.
Solutions Lab Team
Dr. Candice Carr Kelman
Co-director, Conservation Solutions Lab
Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Sustainability, ASU
Brian App
Co-director, Conservation Solutions Lab
Project Management Director, East and Southern Africa Regional Business Unit, Chemonics
Marvie Javed
Manager, Environment and Natural Resources, Chemonics
Hailey Dougherty
Specialist, Environment and Natural Resources, Chemonics
Resources
- Mongabay commentary: Communities, conservation, and development in the age of COVID: Time for rethinking approaches
- Video: East Africa Conservation Solutions Lab meeting in Kenya, February 2020
- Mongabay commentary: From threat to solution: Rethinking the role of communities in nature conservation
