Around the world, local communities and indigenous peoples are key stewards of the natural places WWF works to conserve. They depend on forests, fisheries and wildlife for their ways of life.

Over generations, many have developed knowledge and practices to sustainably use and protect natural resources. 3ds Max 2010 32 Bit Trial. Yet local people face growing challenges to their ability to be good stewards, including: • external competition for land and resources • insecure rights to land and resources • limited economic opportunities • limited access to health, education and other social services • population growth •.

To address these challenges, WWF works to strengthen communities’ ability to conserve the natural resources they depend upon. We help them secure the rights, capacities and knowledge they need to strengthen their role as stewards of the environment, and improve their livelihoods and health. We also promote innovation, learning and implementation of strategies to expand community conservation across larger landscapes. This includes: • facilitating links across communities • building capacity of support institutions • promoting policy frameworks for community tenure, decentralized governance and sustainable livelihoods • collaboration to address environment-related threats to community land.

Girls and women often play a central role in natural resource management and use—collecting forest products for food, medicine and firewood, and water for their families. Yet they are often excluded from participating in community decisions about resources, due cultural, legal and other barriers. We help them gain better access to education and health services such as improved drinking water, sanitation, vaccinations, and family planning so they can improve their lives and help lead environmental change in their families and communities.

CGIAR Research Programs; Publications & Tools. Empowering communities through food-based programmes. World food program discussion paper.