Community Self-Determination

Since our inception in 1993, EcoLogic has taken a people-centered approach to the conservation of tropical and semi-tropical habitats. Conservation efforts have often imposed restrictions that have not taken into account the needs of the people living in and around threatened areas. EcoLogic recognizes that understanding and integrating local needs offers the best hope of long-term effective stewardship.

Furthermore, because resources such as water, wood, oil, rubber, and medicinal plants are valuable to people all around the world, outside interests have often extracted them without the consent or participation of local communities. Too frequently, local people have not been included in decisions regarding their land and do not benefit from the use of these resources.

EcoLogic is committed to changing this dynamic through our belief in community-led resource management. By encouraging those closest to the land to steward resources to meet their needs in ways that are ecologically compatible, EcoLogic promotes long-term sustainability. With adequate resources and training, these often-indigenous communities are in a unique position to challenge environmental degradation and define new economic and governance models that promote local stewardship of regionally and globally important resources.

Earth, Trees, Water holds village meeting, Guatemala/S. Charchalac

With our local partners, EcoLogic has helped strengthen sustainable management of over 6 million acres of threatened habitat and helped improve living conditions for more than 5,000 rural communities.