23.1 Learning Objectives

• to be able to define the concepts of conservation and preservation;
• to be able to characterize the different types of international organizations involved in wildlife conservation and preservation;
• to be able to describe the role of the World Wildlife Fund.

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23.2 How is this Unit Organized?

 

This unit simply presents a list of the major organizations involved. It also lists items on the net where further information could be obtained on these organizations.

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23.3 What is Conservation vs. Preservation?

 

Wildlife:

• All species of animals ranging from Megavertebrates to Invertebrates.
• Flora and Fauna which has had no intervention by mankind.

Conservation:

• A form of preservation as an option of nonuse.
• in situ  conservation- preservation of the animal within its natural habitat;
• ex situ conservation- preservation of the animal outside of its natural habitat.

Preservation:

• Suggests not touching but leaving the system intact.

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23.4 Categories of International Organizations which contribute to  Wildlife Conservation and Preservation

 

1. International Intergovernmental Organizations

• United Nations Development Programme [UNDP],
• United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP],
• Food and Agricultural Organization [FAO],
• World Health Organization [WHO],
• United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO]
• United Nations Centre for Human Settlements “Habitat” [UNCHS],
• United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean[UNECLAC],    
• United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development [UNCSD].

    and Secretariats of various International Conventions and Agreements

• Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and Flora [CITES],
• Convention on the Protection of Wetlands of International Importance [RAMSAR ] (Wetland Protection),
• Convention on Biodiversity [CBD],
• Global Environmental Facility [GEF],
• International Convention on Climatic Change,
• Montreal Protocol.

2. Regional Inter-Governmental Organizations

• CARICOM; OECS

3. International Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs]

• CAB International,
• Greenpeace International,
• World Resources Institute [WRI],
• World Wildlife Fund for Nature,
• World Wildlife Fund,
• The World Conservation Union [IUCN],
• World Conservation Monitoring Centre [WCMC].

4. Regional NGOs

• World Wildlife Fund (US), (UK), etc.

5.Bilateral Donors

• United States Agency for International Development [USAID],
• Canadian International Development Agency [CIDA],

6. Multilateral Donors

These organizations all have mandates which can be collectively listed as follows:

• Advocacy
• Specialized Technical support
• Policy Dialogue
• Policy Interventions
• Policy Research and Think Thanks
• Policies which would stimulate conservation
• Co-management Policies, to encourage legal arrangements for dialogue and      interventions by:                   - Government
                          - People
                          - NGOs
• Species Research
• Ecosystems Research - Balanced Research
• Financial Support
• Community Level Support
• Public Awareness
• Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building

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23.5 Role of the World Wildlife Fund

• Create and Preserve Protected Areas
• Protect species of concern
• Link Conservation and human needs
• Build Conservation Capacity
• Address Global Threats

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23.6 Recommended Readings

Internet Searches:

1. Yahoo: Search. Society and Culture: Environment and Nature

2. Yahoo: Search. Science: Zoology: Wildlife... Wildlife Management

3. Yahoo: Search. Science: Zoology: Wildlife... World Resources Institute

4. Yahoo: Search. Science: Zoology: Wildlife... World Resources Institute...International Environmental Agreements and Conventions

5. Yahoo: Search. Science: Zoology: Wildlife... World Resources Institute...Political Ecology: The International system of Governance

6. Yahoo: Search. Science: Zoology: Wildlife... IUCN the World Conservation Union

 

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