Donors have been rewarded by the efficiency of our bottom-up approach
At Nature and Culture International, we take a different approach to conserving the world’s most biologically diverse regions. First, we are guided by a deep respect for the people who live in these remarkable places. We foster solutions that originate with local people rather than prescribing our own from afar. Nature & Culture works directly with local and indigenous communities to define and achieve their own conservation goals, from protection of habitats to the sustainable use of land and preservation of native cultures.
Our staff members live in the places they protect. As trusted neighbors, they develop strong relationships within their communities to better understand and protect the surrounding ecosystems. We build our presence for the long term, partnering with the governments of Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico to implement large-scale initiatives that integrate conservation into the framework of the country.
Supporting conservation from the bottom to the top of society translates into unparalleled efficiency. Beyond financial efficiency, preserving irreplaceable habitats and their extraordinary species in Latin America is a simply priceless investment that will still be paying dividends thousand or millions of years from now.
Our conservation model just works
When first considering a potential project, Nature & Culture conducts a screening process to ensure feasibility and success. We consider the size of the potential site, biological and cultural diversity, imminent threats, and cost. We look for projects that will be embraced locally, and identify local talent, or local conservationists and partners that can help. Once we screen a site on the ground, our staff executes the strategy that makes the most sense for each situation.
We specialize in four types of reserves
People who live in nature must benefit from conservation
The wellbeing of local people is an integral part of a conservation management plan. People living surrounded by nature would prefer to conserve it for generations to come. Nature & Culture makes that possible. Learn more about our sustainable development work.
We use water as a tool for conservation
We need healthy ecosystems for myriad reasons. One of the most tangible is water. Nature and Culture International harnesses the basic human need for clean, abundant water to drive conservation. Learn more about our focus on water.