Community Action
Population, Health and the Environment
Happy children playing along the Mekong river. Vientiane, Laos.
© WWF / Michèle Dépraz
Empowering people to conserve natural resources
Local communities and indigenous peoples are the stewards of the natural places WWF works to conserve. They depend on the environment for their survival. Over generations they have developed traditions and practices that sustainably manage their natural resources. Today these communities face growing challenges such as competition for land and resources, conflict with wildlife and human population growth. In developing countries they often lack economic opportunities and have limited access to social services.
At WWF we protect wildlife, preserve habitats and empower people to conserve resources while improving their livelihoods. Our community conservation program links improving human lives and conserving biodiversity. We understand the close relationship between humans and the environment, and incorporate elements of governance, gender, health and education into our conservation work.
