Best Practices & Lessons from CBCGDF: To CBD on Resource Mobilization -- Harnessing Public Support and Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood (BCON)

 The specific content of experience, good practices, and lessons:

 

1. Unleashing the Power of the People to Address Biodiversity Funding Shortages

 

As a national charitable organization, the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation is qualified to solicit public donations to support biodiversity conservation. Our experience emphasizes the importance of not underestimating the value of any contribution. Among our donors, we receive hundreds of thousands of donations every day, with a total of 240,000 people contributing in 2021 alone. While some donations are modest, including pocket money from elementary school students (sometimes less than 1 yuan), we deeply appreciate every contribution. This echoes an ancient Chinese saying: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

 

2. Reviewing Project Funding Related to Ecological Environments to Enhance Biodiversity Performance

 

In early 2020, during a project related to the ecological management of a river (involving millions of funds), we discovered that the project was disrupting the habitat of a migratory species, Sand Martins. These birds arrive at the river every April, nesting on sandy riverbanks and dunes within the river. However, the project deemed these dunes as obstacles and used excavators to remove what seemed like "useless" sand dunes. Local CBCGDF volunteers reported this situation to us, prompting an immediate response. We gathered an expert team to conduct on-site research and successfully persuaded the construction company and local government to halt this practice. A valuable stretch of sand dunes was preserved as a habitat for Sand Martins. Through collaborative efforts, we established a Community Conservation Area (CCAfa) in the region. This area not only survived but also became a well-known attraction, drawing tourists to witness the breeding of Sand Martins and generating sustainable tourism income for the local community.

 

 

3. Establishing Community Conservation Areas (CCAfa): Empowering Communities for Conservation

 

At the heart of CBCGDF's efforts lies the establishment of Community Conservation Areas (CCAfa), a transformative framework that mobilizes local communities for biodiversity protection. Recognizing the pivotal role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), CBCGDF has maintained longstanding connections with indigenous and local knowledge communities. Currently, CBCGDF proudly supports 209 Community Conservation Areas, strategically positioned to leverage traditional cultural values and local knowledge.

 

3.1 Respecting Tradition: The Sacred Mountains/Hills of the Dai People

 

In our commitment to biodiversity conservation, CBCGDF places a profound emphasis on respecting traditional cultures and local wisdom. An exemplary case is the support extended to the Dai people in safeguarding their sacred "Shenshan," known as "Lungshan" in Chinese. Designated as no-hunting and no-felling zones, these revered areas have become sanctuaries of extraordinary biodiversity. The Dai community's cultural reverence for these regions ensures their preservation as vital ecosystems.

 

3.2 A Symphony of Biodiversity: The Success in Yunnan's Wuliang Mountains

 

Venturing into Yunnan's Wuliang Mountains, CBCGDF has collaborated with local ethnic communities to establish a CCAfa aimed at protecting the endangered black-crested gibbon. This collaborative effort serves as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in preserving threatened species and their habitats. Through the establishment of CCAfas, CBCGDF not only safeguards biodiversity but also nurtures sustainable practices rooted in the rich tapestry of local cultures.

 

4. Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood (BCON)

 

In terms of funding needs and disparities, we believe in encouraging a way of utilizing funds with minimal input but maximal impact – the Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood (BCON).

 

Diverging from traditional area-based protected areas or OECMs, BCON prioritizes tangible conservation outcomes. The China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) is pioneering an approach that requires almost no biodiversity financing yet yields impressive conservation results – the BCON model.

 

Case in point: In Hubei Province, China, "lazy" aquaculture farmers employ traditional farming methods. After harvesting fish in winter, they abstain from immediate disinfection, allowing various unwanted fish and shrimp species to thrive in the ponds. This inadvertently provides a food source for migratory birds during the winter. Only when planning for the new year do farmers thoroughly disinfect the ponds to ensure a bountiful harvest of their target aquaculture fish. By then, migratory birds have already flown away.

 

In contrast, industrialized practices involve chemical agents to disinfect the entire pond, aiming to reduce interference from non-target organisms the following year. This results in the death of unwanted aquatic life during the "disinfection" process. Remarkably, no additional funds are invested specifically for biodiversity protection throughout this process.

 

This case exemplifies the role of the "Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood" (BCON) solution:

 

1) No need for biodiversity financing.

 

2) The primary goal is not biodiversity conservation, yet positive outcomes are objectively achieved.

 

3) No additional time or effort is expended for this purpose.

 

4) Biodiversity conservation stems directly from avoiding damage caused by industrialized fish farming operations through traditional labor methods.

 

BCON is a solution aimed at conserving biodiversity by involving people in daily life and production processes. Launched by CBCGDF, the core aim is to drive ecosystem protection and promote sustainable livelihoods through grassroots participation. Unlike international practices focusing on species preservation or protected areas, BCON integrates nature conservation into daily life and production processes. This approach has several advantages. It addresses limited funding in the conservation sector, contributes significantly to biodiversity preservation while promoting human well-being, and creates sustainable economic opportunities within local communities.

 

In conclusion, these experiences highlight the significance of public engagement in addressing funding challenges and the critical role of project reviews in ensuring biodiversity coordination. The lessons learned from our endeavors contribute to the broader discussion on effective resource mobilization strategies within the context of the CBD's global framework.

Reporter: Linda

Editor: Maggie

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

Contribution

Do you know? CBCGDF is a non-profit organization. We rely on crowd-funding and donations. You have the opportunity to help us to advance biodiversity conservation. Donate TODAY to power up the movement to make it a better world for all life.

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