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The monthly newsletter of the Poverty and Conservation Learning Group (PCLG)
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PCLG Secretariat & National Group news
The Uganda Poverty and Conservation Learning Group (U-PCLG), together with PCI Media Impact, launched in March a conservation music video titled “Imagine Bwindi”.
Dr. Panta Kasoma, JGI Uganda Director and U-PCLG coordinator, explained that: “We have previously used workshops, posters and flyers as a means of conveying conservation messages. We thought it was high time we tried a different approach which we think will appeal to a broader spectrum of stakeholders. Imagine Bwindi is a beautiful music video to watch and I believe the message it conveys will make people think more about equity in sharing the benefits of protected areas.”
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Member news
Conservation International and partners have launched a new iPad app to put key concepts, policy benchmarks, skills, tools and resources on REDD+ at users’ fingertips – ‘REDD+ Competencies Framework’.
Ecoa has shared two new film ‘teasers’ for PLANURAS (Plains), which depicts life on the wetlands of Pantanal, Mato Grosso du Sul. It explores the themes of conservation, climate change and community.
The Darwin Initiative has published their latest newsletter, which focuses on the contribution of Darwin funded projects to those issues surrounding trade and biodiversity.
IIED’s Essam Yassin Mohammed has published a blog on extending microcredit to hilsa fishers: ‘Idris bhai, your voice has been heard!’
Also, from IIED, guest blogger Jenny Springer reflects on the SDGs and ‘securing indigenous and community land rights in the future we want’.
The NBSAP’s forum has shared a new report that analyses the Seychelle’s experience with the NBSAP peer review process and those issues that arose when aligning the NBSAP to the Aichi targets.
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Poverty and conservation news stories
USAID's new research agenda
USAID have shared their new Biodiversity and Development Research Agenda, which defines and prioritises the most critical question for biodiversity conservation and to support USAID’s Biodiversity Policy. The agenda seeks to build the evidence base for the links between biodiversity conservation and development outcomes, and improve the effectiveness of conservation projects.
Illegal Wildlife Trade, Kasane Conference 2015
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Over in Botswana on the 25th of March, the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism hosted the follow up to the London Conference on the Illegal Trade in Wildlife. The meeting brought Heads of States and representatives from regional economic integration organisations back together to review the implementation status of those actions proposed in the London Declaration. A review of progress so far, as compiled by the UK government, can be viewed here (pdf).
The day concluded with a reiterated commitment to tackling illegal wildlife crime – including actions to tackle the markets for illegal wildlife products; to reinforce legal frameworks & deterrents; to strengthen law enforcement; and to support sustainable livelihoods & economic development. Read the Kasane Statement.
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Prior to the Kasane meeting, IIED and partners organised the 2-day symposium 'Beyond enforcement: communities, governance, incentives and sustainable use in combating wildlife crime'. The meeting focused on the role of communities in combating poaching for illegal wildlife trade. Read the policy conclusions and recommendations.
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Featured publication
Learning our Lessons: A Review of Alternative Livelihood Projects in Central Africa.
Prepared by the IUCN and the University of Oxford, this study looks at the provision of alternative protein and income-generating sources (or ‘alternative livelihoods’) to communities in Central Africa that are otherwise dependent on bushmeat for food and/or income. The authors ask whether such approaches to conservation achieve their goals. Read more.
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Other media
March was the month of three international celebration days! Here’s an interesting media piece from each day.
To mark World Wildlife Day on the 2nd March 2015, Survival International exposed abuses faced by tribal peoples in the name of wildlife conservation. Watch the testimonies.
For International Women’s Day on the 8th of March 2015, World Fish discussed why engaging men and boys is critical for gender equality. Listen to the podcast.
And on International Forestry Day on the 21st of March 2015, we were reminded of a UN animation narrated by Sir David Attenborough: ‘branching out for a green economy’.
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Forthcoming events
Register for the BESAFE research consortium and partner’s for the ‘International Conference on Motivations and arguments to act for biodiversity- Alternative ways to inspire innovative policy making’, to be held on the 10th – 11th of June 2015, Brussels.
Call for abstracts and conference announcement for the 2 day symposium “Towards a sustainable and legal wildlife trade”, organised by the International Trade Centre and the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology, to be held on the 18th -19th of June, 2015, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
Register for the ESPA expert workshop, ‘Can Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) work for both people and the environment?, to be held on the 27th -28th of July 2015, Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh.
Call for abstracts from ERT Conservation and partners for their conference on ‘Building Capacity for Conservation and Resource Management in Africa - An exchange of ideas, opportunities & best practice’, to be held from the 27th - 30th of July 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Register for The Society for Conservation Biology and partners 27th International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) and the 4th European Congress for Conservation Biology (ECCB) to be held on the 2nd - 6th of August 2015 in Montpelier, France.
Save the date for the XIV World Forestry Congress to be hosted from the 11th – 17th of September 2015, South Africa. The Congress has released a call for abstracts, posters and videos.
Save the date for the 17th Annual BIOECON Conference ‘Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability’ on the 13th – 15th of September 2015, Kings College, Cambridge, UK.
Call for papers for the Global Environmental Justice Research Group's international workshop on ‘Ecosystem management and environmental justice: mapping the linkages’ to be held on the 12-13th of October 2015, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Register for Pathways Kenya 2016, ‘Integrating Human Dimensions into Fish and Wildlife Management’, to be held from the 10th – 13th of January 2016, at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki, Kenya.
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Other opportunities
Vacancy announcements
The Institute for Advance Sustainability Studies is seeking a researcher for their Ocean Governance Group. The deadline for application is 31st of March 2015. More information.
IIED is seeking a researcher to support their Forest and Biodiversity team projects, particularly with expertise on food, forests and equity, and ecosystem-based adaptation. The deadline for application is 9th of April 2015. More information.
Fundaing & awards
The Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge has launched an open competition that aims to reward innovative solutions to the escalating problem of wildlife trafficking. The Challenge will select numerous winners from the Prize Application pool to receive a Prize of $10,000 - as well as promotional and networking opportunities and technical assistance to scale or accelerate their solutions. Prize winners will also have an opportunity to further compete for one of up to four Grand Prizes worth between $100,000 and $500,000. More information.
Open-ended call from the ESPA Regional Opportunities Fund Small Grants Scheme, aimed at enhancing the impact and research uptake of ESPA funded projects and the ESPA programme as a whole. Open ended call until 1st June 2016.
Training & further education
The Centre for Ecology & Conservation at the University of Exeter has announced a number of Scholarships for their suite of Masters Programmes. Online applications are open through to the 30th of April 2015. More information.
The MESPOM Consortium is inviting applications for the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) in 2015-2017. Online applications are open through the 1st of June 2015. More information.
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