Nine case studies from around the world outlined in a new BirdLife publication have shown that poverty elimination and biodiversity conservation are issues that must be tackled side-by-side.
Released today, Conserving biodiversity, improving livelihoods (http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/06/people_and_biodiversity.pdf), highlights how steps can be taken to tackle poverty by conserving biodiversity, through supporting sustainable management of environmental resources by local communities.
“Biodiversity provides the critical ‘ecosystem services’ on which development depends, including air and water purification, soil conservation, disease control, and reduced vulnerability to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, storms and landslides,” said Dr David Thomas, Head of BirdLife’s Site Action Unit.
The BirdLife Partner case studies in Conserving biodiversity, improving livelihoods show how working with and empowering local people can improve livelihoods and help reduce poverty as well as conserve biodiversity. 
The diverse case studies involve developing countries from around the world:
South Africa: Creating income earning opportunities through avitourism.
Kenya: Improving livelihoods by enhancing natural resource management by and for local stakeholders at Arabuko Sokoke Forest.
Uganda: Enhancing the livelihoods of local communities dependent on Echuya Forest Reserve.
Burkina Faso: Empowering women through financial and social independence and access to education in Sourou Valley.
Brazil: Promoting organic cacao production for improving livelihoods in South Bahia.
Ecuador and Peru: Decentralising decision-making processes, enhancing people’s rights and promoting sustainable forest management.
Jordan: Reducing vulnerability of refugee pastoralists (the Azazme) through sustainable management of natural resources and protected areas.
Cambodia: Reducing vulnerability through ecosystem improvements in Boeung Prek Lapouv.
Indonesia: Improving livelihoods and dietary security through empowerment of Sumbanese villagers.
Joanna Phillips, Head of International Development Policy at the RSPB, highlighted that: “Crucial to the success of many of these initiatives has been the development of strong local institutions, with local people empowered to stand up for the interests of their community – and of the biodiversity that they value.”
RSPB resourced the publication and actively supports the work of BirdLife Partners in several developing countries, including Uganda.
 “The publication lists out seven policy messages aimed to be taken on board by governments, donors, institutions and other key stakeholders,” she continued. “We urge everyone to take note of these – they include the importance of involving local people as active players in environmental decision-making; the need forenvironmental assets(including ecosystem goods and services) to be identified, monitored and valued; and the need for the governments of developed countries to deliver on their promises for more and better aid.”
Speaking on behalf of BirdLife’s Africa Partnership, Dr Hazell Shokellu Thompson said:
“The unique way in which the BirdLife Partnership works allows us to draw upon the diverse experiences of people, their livelihoods and the pressures facing them in our attempts to deal with the challenges of conservation and economic development in a concerted and effective manner. To bring together these success stories in one publication is an encouraging and useful step.”
“The next step though is for governments and other stakeholders to take note and to fully appreciate that the environment and biodiversity are the foundations on which long-term poverty eradication and truly sustainable development depend.”
For further information on the importance of the environment to people's livelihoods, see BirdLife’s recent report: Livelihoods and the environment at Important Bird Areas: Listening to local voices (http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/01/listening_to_local_voices_IBAs.pdf).
The report investigates the lives of local people at Important Bird Areas (IBAs) around the world, drawing together their perceptions and experiences of poverty and the role of the environment in people’s lives.