【Travel Diaries】New Colleagues & Tools For Conservation

In 2005, GEI began its research of the Community Conservation Concession Agreements – a mechanism first introduced in Peru that both safeguards the environment and protects vulnerable communities - and adapted the model to China in 2012.  CCCA aims to build mutual cooperation between stakeholders like local people, government, enterprises, institutes, etc. so to achieve better policy making and improved environmental conservation simultaneously. So far, GEI has already implemented the CCCA in several Western Chinese Provinces and in Myanmar.

As a partner of the Conservation Steward Program (CSP), GEI attends the annual CSP Conference, first launched by Conservation International (CI). The CSP Conference brings together leaders and experts in the environmental conservation and development field from around the world. 

Dr. Kui PENG

GEI’s Ecosystem Conservation and Community Development Program Manager, recently returned from the 2017 CSP hosted in Colombia, South America. In this special multi-part report, he recounts his first-ever trip to Colombia and shares what he learned at this world-class conference and from the art-filled city of Bogota, Colombia. 

The CSP Conference 

It's March 27th, and it’s raining in Bogota. The weather constantly changes this time of the year, which is typical of the tropical plateau climate. Sometimes a rain storm will come all of a sudden like a baby bursting into tears. Umbrellas are definitely en vogue! 

Taking cover from the rain, we took part in an learning conference held by Conservation International.

Hosting the 24 countries’ participants this year was Margarita Mora, the director of Global Conservation Agreements, whom we nicknamed “Sister Ma.”

Sister Ma is a gifted public speaker and made the entire conference a safe space for sharing ideas and open discussion 

After a few minutes of Sister Ma’s lighthearted remarks and an ice-breaker game we shifted into furious brain-storming mode.

The Importance of Community Development 

On the morning of the 28th, Sister Ma started by introducing the basic procedures of conservation agreements, from the beginning stage of feasibility analysis, engagement, negotiation and agreement, to implementation, monitoring and sustainability.

We, as participants, divided into groups to discuss two of the most critical parts of community development: “guaranteeing benefits and improving livelihoods”, and “communicating with partners and donors.” We also discussed best-practice cases that could help each of us improve our own projects. 

Throughout the entire discussion, community development was emphasized. We all hope to find more ways to heighten public awareness of sustainable environmental conservation.

The New Ideas of Community-based Conservation

During this conference, I grew my understanding of the significance of community-based conservation and learned two new methods for conservation. 

The first conservation method is the MULAGO Foundation’s design vehicle named “Design Iteration Format (DIF),” which can conduct initial design and interval re-design in a relatively standard process.

DIF contains the 8 key elements for a project: mission; big idea; impact (single best indicator); behavior mapping; intervention; doer & payer (actors which are necessary for the project to scale); impact model; and details of your impact model. My colleagues and I called it “The Eight-layer Tower.” By using DIF, you can solve a problem step-by-step, refute your old concept and establish a new one. Once the “eight-layer tower” is solid, a rigorous project can be built. DIF increases the chance of success for a project, and this is a key to the scientific conservation.

Another impressive part of the conference material is the key role that livelihood plays in the conservation process. The old thought of "protecting for protection's sake" no longer works when it comes to the sustainability of environmental protective forces and funds. The significance of community conservation lies in two aspects: first, new livelihoods that lessen the destructive use of resources, which is the core conflict between environment protection and economic development; and second, a sustainable financing mechanism that can enable community conservation.

&Beyond's Community-based Conservation Program "Care of the People” in Africa 

Photo Credit：&Beyond

Learning, Dedicating, and Sharing

The meeting ended in an interesting yet touching way as participants took turns sharing stories. As the participants hail from many countries and each have many years of experience, their stories are like legends of the conservation agreements. 

I felt so encouraged to be their peer and feel like we can work together to encourage generations of environmental protectors to make unselfish contributions to our beautiful blue planet.

Over these two days, we inspired each other through furious debates and serious discussions - the power of the rain outside was challenged by the brain power inside! However, the great outdoors is each of our home turf and we looked forward to the next two days of the conference, which would take place in the South American jungle. Stay tuned! 

Click the link to read Dr. Peng's first diary!

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