We and our partners, along with many communities around the globe, had a dynamic year. Read on to see the biggest accomplishments you, our donors, have made possible.

DOING Community-based Conservation

From July 2023 to June 2024, we worked with local communities around the world to protect biodiversity in their own backyards…

Thailand: Protecting Tigers and Prey Species

In collaboration with the University of Minnesota and with support from the US Fish & Wildlife Foundation, our partner, Rabbit in the Moon, worked with indigenous Karen communities in Thung Yai Naresuan West Wildlife Sanctuary through the One Community Project. This initiative enhanced the communities’ capacity for biodiversity conservation through workshops on wildlife conservation and camera trapping techniques. We also shared insights from our projects around with the world with the communities. Learn more about the project here.

Myanmar: Indigenous Naga Community Conservation of Two Wetlands

Community-Led Wetland Protection: Our partner, Friends of Wildlife (FoW), continued to support a community-led wetland conservation project in northwest Myanmar, focusing on the protection of Naung-yan and Naung-sai Lakes. This project supports local communities to become stewards of these vital ecosystems. Key activities included capacity building for the Naga Conservation Association (N-CA), a local partner organization, through workshops and training sessions. FoW facilitated community engagement by conducting stakeholder workshops, gathering local knowledge, and supporting the formation of village-level conservation groups.

Baseline data collection: Furthermore, FoW conducted crucial baseline data collection, including climate change vulnerability assessments, to inform conservation strategies. This data, combined with community input, will be used to develop comprehensive management plans for both lakes. While travel restrictions posed challenges, the project saw significant progress with community-led conservation actions. Local communities actively participated in activities such as tree planting, clean-up campaigns, and the removal of garbage from the lakes. These collective efforts, involving 800 individuals across 21 villages, laid a strong foundation for long-term conservation success. 

Nepal: Fostering Community-Led Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Protection: Inspired by an exchange visit with successful anti-poaching groups in Chitwan National Park, community forest groups in Jhapa and Morang districts established their own Community-Based Anti-Poaching Units (CBAPUs). These groups now actively combat poaching of deer and other wildlife. CBAPUs also serve as a platform for communities to raise wildlife conservation concerns with local leaders and government officials, fostering collaboration and finding solutions together. See an interview with Morang CBAPU chairperson, Arjun Bastola.

Expanded Wildlife Monitoring: Our partner, Nature Conservation and Study Centre (NCSC), camera trapped with 13 community forests in Udayapur District to further expand the wildlife corridor. We also created an iNaturalist project for the corridor, which has the photos for each community forest so the communities have a record of what animals were found (and you can see them too!).

Read more about this project here.

Cameroon: Empowering Communities for Wildlife Protection

Somié Community Forest Establishment: Our partner, Community-Based Biosynergy Management (CBBM), identified key forest areas for chimpanzees and other species through camera trapping and initiated the establishment of a 5,000-hectare community forest. Degraded areas were restored by planting beneficial tree species for both humans and wildlife. Read more about this project here.

Strengthening Indigenous Community Monitoring: CBBM successfully engaged 11 Baka communities in the Baka Monitoring Network. The community of Nomedjoh actively revitalized its forest management committee, adjacent to the Dja Faunal Reserve. Read more about this project here.

Peru: Community Conservation Concessions

Strengthening Existing Concessions: Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC) supported communities in protecting and managing nine community conservation concessions and private protected areas, providing training in forest monitoring, land defense, and legal processes.

Establishing New Conservation Areas: NPC initiated the establishment of three new conservation concessions in the San Martin and Amazonas regions and revitalized two abandoned ones with 11 indigenous Awajun communities in a remote area of northern Amazonas region.

Read more about these projects here.

Malaysia: Indigenous Iban Community Re-wilding

Forest Restoration: We worked in collaboration with our partners, The Smithsonian and the Sarawak Forest Corporation, and two indigenous Iban communities to initiate rewilding rubber plantations by removing invasive species and planting native fruit trees to provide more habitat for species like orangutans, hornbills, Bornean banded langurs, and bearded pigs.

Wildlife Monitoring: Communities were trained in using camera traps and acoustic detectors to monitor wildlife.

Read more about this project here.

SPREADING Community Conservation

This year, we engaged with diverse audiences through presentations, events, partnerships, and online platforms, promoting community-based conservation initiatives locally and internationally.

Presentations and Lectures

Our Executive Director Dr. Allendorf shared her expertise and insights at various venues throughout the year.

  • Community Conservation on Tour:
  • International Engagement:
    • April: Presentation at the International Primate Protection’s League (IPPL) Biennial Member Meeting (see page 13).
  • Podcast Appearances:

Events

CC hosted and participated in several events to foster community and support its mission:

  • July 7-21, 2023: Annual Pedal, Paddle, and Plod virtual event
  • August 26, 2023: Open House and Spoken Word event, Viroqua, Wisconsin
  • January 31, 2024: Community Conservation Coffee, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • February 10-18, 2024: Donor trip to Belize in collaboration with Community Baboon Sanctuary
  • May 18, 2024: Meet and greet hosted by Board Vice President Doug Pierce, Eagle River, Wisconsin

Site Visits

Dr. Allendorf conducted field visits to project sites to support projects and collaborate with our partners:

  • September 2023: India/Nepal
  • November 2023: Thailand
  • January 2024: Nepal
  • March 2024: Thailand
  • May 2024: Malaysia

Other Activities

  • International Workshops: Community Conservation Workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, in collaboration with Nature Conservation and Studies Centre (NCSC) and Community Conservation Nepal (CCN) with students and practitioners January 20-21.
  • Student Mentorship: CC mentored UW graduate students working in Nepal and Botswana and a Colorado College student researching policies for community-based biodiversity conservation.
  • Public Education: CC reached over 13,000 individuals per month through its website and social media platforms.

Thank you for your support

We are so grateful to our supporters this year for your ongoing commitment to Community Conservation. Our work with communities is going strong, thanks to you!

We rely on the steady support of donor like you rather than uncertain grant funding.  In 2025, we hope you are able to continue your generous support and also please help spread the word about the work of CC to your friends and family.

For more examples of the successes of community-based conservation, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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