What's Happening?
A recent paper in Nature highlights the colonial roots of modern conservation practices and their ongoing impact on Indigenous peoples and local communities. The paper argues that conservation often marginalizes
these groups by treating them as stakeholders rather than rights-holders. This approach can lead to exclusion from decision-making processes and reinforce historical power imbalances. The authors propose the RACE framework—Rights, Agency, Challenge, and Education—to address these inequities and promote more inclusive conservation practices.
Why It's Important?
The paper underscores the need to recognize and address the historical and ongoing inequities in conservation efforts. By failing to fully integrate Indigenous and local community rights, conservation initiatives risk perpetuating colonial-era injustices. This can undermine both the social justice and ecological effectiveness of conservation projects. The RACE framework offers a pathway to more equitable and effective conservation by emphasizing human rights and local authority.
What's Next?
Implementing the RACE framework requires conservation organizations to critically examine their practices and assumptions. This involves ensuring meaningful participation of Indigenous and local communities in governance and decision-making. The framework also calls for greater accountability and awareness of conservation's historical context. Successful adoption of these principles could lead to more sustainable and just conservation outcomes, benefiting both people and ecosystems.
