Conservation News
News, views and stories from the front lines of conservation
Filtered Results for Indigenous peoples
All recent news
In Bolivia, a 'conservation mosaic’ gets another (big) piece
In the remote lowland forests of northwestern Bolivia, a small community has taken a big step to protect one of the Amazon’s most biodiverse regions.
February 5, 2024
2023 in review: Partnerships and communities drive nature conservation
Conservation News is reflecting on some of our most noteworthy stories about how nature and human well-being are intertwined — and what it takes to protect them.
December 19, 2023
3 ways Indigenous knowledge protects nature
On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Conservation News is highlighting three stories about Indigenous peoples on the frontlines of protecting the nature they rely on.
August 9, 2023
Countries agreed to protect 30% of the planet. Now what?
More than six months ago, nearly every country signed on to the most ambitious plan ever to protect nature — a sweeping framework that aims to conserve 30 percent of the planet's land and waters by 2030. It’s an unprecedented agreement. So, what’s next?
July 26, 2023
When COVID halted wildlife tourism in Kenya, one area weathered the storm
Every year, Kenya’s Maasai Mara region attracts droves of tourists, eager for a glimpse of one of the largest movement of animals on Earth. Until 2020, when everything changed. Yet, what began as a crisis presented new opportunities.
July 6, 2023
News spotlight: How Indigenous communities brought a sacred caiman back from the brink
For years, two communities in southeast Colombia have worked to protect the black caiman — the largest predator in the Amazon River basin, which was hunted to near extinction in the area for its highly-prized skin.
May 26, 2023
When protecting nature helps build peace
As climate change accelerates, there's a growing sense of urgency to address how changes to our ecosystems can lead to conflict. For years, Conservation International has worked to bring environmental peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity to its work.
May 25, 2023
News Spotlight: Indigenous land stewardship key to preserving Amazon carbon sinks
In case you missed it: The Amazon is the ecological jewel of the world, home to nearly 400 billion trees and 10,000 species at risk of extinction. It’s also the world’s largest terrestrial carbon sink. Yet a new report shows those climate benefits are not uniformly distributed.
January 23, 2023
Meet 3 Indigenous women fighting for the future of the Amazon
Meet three of Conservation International's Amazonia Indigenous Women's fellows working to protect the world's largest rainforest.
August 9, 2022
News spotlight: Gullah Geechee people look to nature to save their coastlines — and culture
In case you missed it: Communities across the southern coast of the U.S. are now losing their land — and the culture it represents — to sea-level rise. Nature can help.
August 1, 2022
Nature meets culture: Art exhibit explores Indigenous ‘water defenders’ — and more
Here's some recent arts and culture news to help bring nature to life, wherever you are.
July 14, 2022
To spur action, don’t give in to ‘climate doom’: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: Scientists fight "climate doom," forests managed by Indigenous peoples are powerful carbon sinks and honey from stingless bees in the Amazon can treat a range of ailments.
April 11, 2022
Nature meets culture: an Indigenous climate warrior, Mother Nature’s silly side and more
It can be hard to connect with nature in our daily lives. But with a little help, you can find nature everywhere. With that in mind, here are a few shows, podcasts and more that can help bring nature to life for you, wherever you are.
December 10, 2021
New science: deep-sea hotspot, Indigenous ocean conservation and more
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent research published by Conservation International experts.
December 2, 2021
Experts: To achieve global conservation goals, secure Indigenous rights
The global goal to protect nearly a third of Earth’s land and sea could help or hurt Indigenous peoples depending on how it is achieved.
August 9, 2021
New science: Protecting the planet’s biodiversity — from soil to coral
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent scientific research published by Conservation International experts.
August 5, 2021
Meet a scientist: the fisheries aficionado
Ana Gloria Guzmán-Mora is the executive director of Conservation International’s Costa Rica program, where she works with local communities and governments to help them meet their goals for protecting the planet.
July 22, 2021
Notes from the field: For communities, conservation brings business opportunities
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
January 21, 2021
Meet a scientist: the community connector
Patricia Dunne is the director of applied social science at Conservation International, where she works to amplify the voices of some of conservation’s most critical allies: local communities.
December 3, 2020
Kenya’s wildlife tourism, a casualty of COVID, gets a lifeline
The loss of tourism revenue in the Maasai Mara could spell trouble for the very species that tourists come to see. Now, wildlife conservancies are getting a lifeline.
November 19, 2020
Notes from the field: Sun-powered water, COVID and fishing, and more
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
October 22, 2020
Indigenous leaders: To tackle climate change, ‘we must first address racial inequality’
For insight into how Indigenous peoples are fighting for their lands during lockdown — while simultaneously addressing deep-rooted racial inequality — Conservation News tapped two Indigenous leaders at Conservation International.
August 6, 2020
Notes from the field: Indigenous peoples protecting nature through tradition
Right now, around the world, the work of protecting nature and the climate is happening in the field — and achieving small triumphs that don’t make the news. Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
April 29, 2020
2020 was supposed to be the ‘super year for nature.’ What now?
As the pandemic continues, Conservation International climate experts offer the steps that countries and individuals must take to ensure that postponing climate conferences won’t mean postponing action.
April 22, 2020
For Indigenous peoples, pandemic poses unique risks
In a recent article, the director of Conservation International's Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program explained why the COVID-19 pandemic affirms the need to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples.
April 14, 2020
Mud, parrots and parasites: Filming the rainforest in virtual reality
One crew member counts down his most memorable moments from CI’s VR film shoot in Amazonia.
February 13, 2017
My ‘aha!’ moment: In Madagascar, a fisheries discussion without the fishers
How working with octopus fishers in Madagascar led Kame Westerman to make a surprising discovery about women and conservation.
March 7, 2017
New pact enlists locals to help protect a jewel of South America
A new agreement will enable local communities in Suriname to generate income in a way that keeps their forest and traditional livelihoods intact.
August 22, 2017
Photo essay: In South Africa, a woman’s struggle to sustain the land that sustains her
At an age when many people are slowing down, Gertruida Cloete continues to face daily hardships while protecting her fragile, wild home.
March 6, 2016
What makes a good nature photo? An expert explains
Human Nature sat down with Conservation International’s photography manager to talk about three of her favorite photos.
June 14, 2018
The hidden star of ‘Moana’: the Pacific voyaging canoe
For centuries, these boats have connected Pacific Islanders with the sea they depend on.
December 15, 2016
Indigenous-led conservation takes center stage in ‘Under the Canopy’
Follow indigenous guide Kamanja Penashekung deep into the forests of Amazonia in Conservation International’s latest virtual reality film.
February 6, 2017
Meet a scientist: To study conservation, she studies people
A social scientist at Conservation International explains the complex link between humans and nature in a Q&A with Conservation News.
November 21, 2019
‘Protecting nature, building peace’: Indigenous activist wins prestigious award
Conservation International’s Senior Indigenous Fellow Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim wins the 2019 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award.
November 14, 2019
Women’s work: Fighting for nature
Jennifer Morris describes her five female role models in conservation.
March 8, 2018
Where unsustainable mining once reigned, ‘radical change’ beckons
Conservation International is helping indigenous peoples in the region to shift their economic dependence from mining to sustainable tourism, capitalizing on the draw of the salt flats.
January 31, 2019
To improve crop yields, just add trees
In an Indonesian province plagued by deforestation, a group of women farmers has found a more sustainable way to feed their families.
October 20, 2016
Ashes to action: 3 things we know about the Amazon fires
Here are 3 takeaways about the Amazon fires from Conservation International scientists.
October 22, 2019
Climate Week: Money, nature and what really matters
The three themes that stood out over the course of Climate Week were protecting nature to protect the climate, finding funding for conservation and valuing nature beyond science and policies.
September 26, 2019
‘My Africa’ field notes: Good fences can make uneasy neighbors
Conservation International works to conserve wildlife while delivering justice to communities in South Africa.
March 23, 2018
Indonesian coffee farmers grapple with climate of uncertainty
Shifting weather patterns may make coffee harder to grow in North Sumatra — but it’s still better than the alternative.
February 5, 2016
What on Earth is ‘land tenure’?
The concept of land tenure has major implications for conservation.
October 6, 2016
In Peru’s Amazon, voices from the community prove conservation is reaping rewards
Zoila Álvarez describes her life in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and how it has changed since she signed a conservation agreement.
March 13, 2018
On remote Philippine island, female forest rangers are a force to be reckoned with
Palawan communities are linked to the land by tradition, spirituality and survival — and women like Nolsita Siyang are rising up to defend it.
March 8, 2016
Marine park’s expansion a win for Hawai’i, for oceans
The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is now the largest marine protected area on Earth.
August 26, 2016
‘My Africa’ field notes: Portraits of hope for Africa’s elephants
Here are some of our favorite photos taken at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, with stories about the elephants and the caregivers who look after them.
April 4, 2018
Meet 3 Indigenous women fighting to save the planet
On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, we share the stories of three indigenous women fighting to protect the environment.
August 9, 2019
Murders of environmental activists reflect chronic clashes over resource use
The tragic loss of Berta Cáceres and other activists is a frightening omen for the future of the land they fought to protect.
March 31, 2016
An accidental ranger finds his calling
When a scientist finds himself in the middle of anti-poaching operations, he asks himself whether there is a better way to conserve nature.
July 31, 2017
How one ocean voyager uses tradition to connect to the future
Voyagers in Samoa use the Va’a as a way to connect with other cultures while learning to live in harmony with nature.
February 23, 2018
Saving the mangroves to save the clams — and a way of life
A community in Colombia ensures their mangroves and clams are around well into the future.
June 21, 2018
To save Hawaiian fisheries, scientists look to locals for answers
Two new studies reveal that when it comes to managing fish populations, traditional knowledge can be as important as science.
February 22, 2017
Expert: Conservation, indigenous rights at a crossroads
A recently published paper has added to a body of evidence showing that indigenous peoples can be powerful allies for protecting nature.
August 8, 2018
‘We are not tourist attractions’: Indigenous leaders assert their voices in conservation
Indigenous peoples are Earth’s original — and perhaps last — stewards. Their leadership could define the next generation of conservation.
May 5, 2017
Tourism, traditions combine in fight to save a threatened forest
As their flooded forest disintegrated around them, the Peruvian village of Tingana decided to act.
February 25, 2016
Voices of the Alto Mayo: Women in charge
María Hernández describes her life in the Alto Mayo and how it has changed since she and her sister, Maximila, signed a conservation agreement.
April 3, 2018
Trust fund to help protect some of Philippines’ last primary forests
A new trust fund aims to finance the management of the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape.
October 7, 2016
Postcard from the Pacific: In new film, ocean is the star
A new film showcases the relationship that the people of New Caledonia have with nature.
May 28, 2018
Our critical allies for elephants
Elephants illustrate a core truth about conservation work: It must be done alongside local communities.
August 12, 2017
Investigation finds rampant illegal fishing in Costa Rica
Recent research by Conservation International’s Costa Rica office found that the problem is worse than previously thought.
March 28, 2016
What does gender have to do with conservation?
Human Nature talked to Conservation International field staff about their perspectives on why gender matters in conservation.
March 9, 2018
What on Earth is a ‘conservation agreement’?
Here, we break down “conservation agreements,” an approach that helps conserve biodiversity while improving the quality of life for local communities.
February 20, 2018
What the Hawaiian language revival means for conservation
The islands’ language is a powerful link to the lands and waters that sustain their people.
May 11, 2016
Cacao plantations: Home sweet home for Madagascar’s lemurs?
CI funded new research that found Madagascar’s lemurs are making homes within cocoa plantations.
December 21, 2017
With climate change, Pacific tuna economy enters uncharted waters
If rising seas submerge an island nation, would it still control its rich waters?
January 7, 2016
In protecting their forests, these women transformed their futures
For International Women's Day, we are celebrating the women of the Roro tribe in Papua New Guinea.
March 6, 2019
New protected area in Amazon announced
Recently, the Bolivian government established the Bajo Madidi Municipal Conservation and Management Area.
June 4, 2019
In Bonn, ‘superheroes of the environment’ take center stage
Speaking at the Global Landscapes Forum, Conservation International President Jennifer Morris called for “radical collaboration” that elevates the rights and roles of the world’s indigenous communities.
June 24, 2019
Indigenous leaders: What we wish Westerners knew
On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we’re revisiting an interview with indigenous leaders from around the globe.
August 8, 2017
These 7 maps shed light on most crucial areas of Amazon rainforest
Thirty million people call the Amazonia region home — and they all depend on its forests every day.
January 17, 2017
Why Indigenous rights matter
Indigenous peoples’ interest in conservation is profound — but often overlooked.
September 6, 2016
To save elephants, it takes a village
Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary — the first community-owned elephant sanctuary in East Africa — provides a place for injured elephants to heal and a home for elephants orphaned by poaching.
November 1, 2017
In Kenya’s storied hills, traditional ways confront a modern problem: climate change
Neutralize your carbon footprint through a new REDD+ project in the Chyulu Hills of Kenya.
July 26, 2017
4 things you didn’t know elephants do for you
On top of being amazing creatures, elephants actually make life better for all of us, sometimes in surprising ways.
March 28, 2018
5 ways indigenous knowledge can solve global problems
The traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples could help address environmental problems that plague the entire planet.
May 9, 2016