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| Conservation | ||||
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Central to the Conservation Program at the WLBC is a community-based approach to the sustainable use of existing resources that is founded on the belief that nature can only be conserved if the people living in the area take an active role. To this end, the WLBC a) empowers local people to manage their natural resources and b) encourages activities that will increase the value of these resources without destroying them. In some instances, in order to improve the standard of living of people in the area, (and thereby reduce the tendency to resort to abusive practices), the WLBC tries to improve local health and education services and supports agricultural development. At present, WLBC projects are underway in:
We believe that our community-based approach to conservation will be successful because, when people have a stake in preserving the forest (and unless they are desperately poor), they will work to protect the environment. |
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| ©
1995-
Missouri Botanical Garden, All Rights Reserved |
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otanists
working in the field have long been concerned with the rate of habitat
destruction in many countries around the world. In particular, much of
the original vegetation is being destroyed as farming and logging interests
push further and further into the forests of Africa, South America and
Southeast Asia. While multinational corporations play a role in the overexploitation
of the forests, much of the damage is a direct result of expanding locals
populations trying to improve their economic lot. All this is occurring
at a time when much remains to be discovered about the natural vegetation.
One major concern is that plants with a great potentional value to mankind
will be eradicated before knowledge of their worth comes to light. Additionally,
wild crop relatives of economically important plant species may be lost.
In view of the changes now taking place, the WLBC has made a commitment
to promote conservation of existing natural resources so that the potential
wealth of the forest is not lost to future generations.