Chapter 10 | For a Lasting Planet

Chapter 10

Questioning our approach

In this chapter, we embark on an introspective journey, thoughtfully examining ourselves and our practices. Building on the inclusive approaches explored in Chapter 4, we strive to go deeper—delving into what it truly means to do meaningful and impactful work in the conservation field.

This exploration is rooted in real-world experiences from projects I have been part of and observations made on the ground. Through these reflections, my goal is to illuminate a different way of working—one that transcends short-term achievements and paves the way for a lasting impact.

Where to start?

One of the most concerning practices I encounter time and again is the tendency to implement initiatives simply because they have succeeded elsewhere. A common example is the promotion of beekeeping as a means of building sustainable livelihoods—an idea that may work brilliantly in one region but is often disconnected from the needs of the specific landscape or its people in another. Just because a project thrives in one context does not mean it is universally replicable. Every context is unique, shaped by distinct needs, systems, cultures, and traditions.

This issue is often intertwined with the imposition of our own ideas or egos onto a project. Instead of prioritising what is genuinely needed on the ground, decisions are sometimes based on personal preferences or preconceived notions. On occasion, I’ve seen initiatives chosen simply because someone liked the concept—much like when we decide to prioritise saving a species in an ecosystem because we favour it, rather than considering whether it serves a critical ecological role.

This highlights the critical importance of genuinely engaging with communities and working alongside scientists who understand the ecosystem very well. We must ask what they need and ensure that science, as well as their cultures and traditions, are respected. For example, while building a water well closer to a village might seem like a good idea on paper, it could unintentionally disrupt social dynamics—removing a communal space where women gather to chat and find respite from their daily routines away from home.

So, how do we start doing things the right way? It begins with conducting thorough needs assessments and consultations which means talking to communities, understanding the conservation priorities of the area, valuing traditional ecological knowledge, analysing social dynamics, and identifying accessible markets.

How does this apply to documentary filmmaking?

The same principle applies in storytelling, particularly in film, when we push for a narrative without truly listening to the voices of the people whose lives and experiences are being portrayed. This can lead to shallow representations or, worse, the erasure of critical perspectives.

Often, our perspective may be incomplete, or the story we wish to tell might not align with what the community wants the world to hear. Just as in conservation, a story must be grounded in the realities, traditions, and voices of those it seeks to represent. Authenticity comes from collaboration, respect, and an openness to letting the community's truths shape the narrative, rather than imposing an external vision upon them.

Grounding your project

In my opinion, to ensure that your conservation initiatives are effective and contextually appropriate, it's essential to conduct a thorough situational analysis. This process involves understanding the specific environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors of the area in question. By identifying critical threats, underlying factors, and opportunities, project teams can develop a common understanding of the context of the place for informed decision-making.

Building upon the insights gained from the situational analysis, developing a Theory of Change (ToC) becomes imperative. A ToC is a comprehensive framework that outlines how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. It serves as a roadmap, linking activities to outcomes and ensuring that every step is strategically aligned with the overarching goals. This approach not only clarifies the pathway to success but also helps in identifying potential challenges and assumptions that need to be addressed. Both the situational analysis and the Theory of Change are further explained in Chapter 8.

Furthermore, it's crucial to avoid engaging in random, isolated activities that lack foundational support or connection to the broader objectives. This also touches on the previous point where we discussed the downsides of replicating successful initiatives without context for they too will be isolated. Such disjointed efforts can lead to resource wastage and minimal impact. Instead, all actions should be cohesively tied together through a well-articulated strategy, ensuring that each activity contributes meaningfully to the desired outcomes. This strategic alignment facilitates better resource utilization, progress tracking, and more sustainable results.

In summary, the combination of a thorough situational analysis and a well-defined Theory of Change provides a solid foundation for developing effective, context-specific strategies. This integrated approach ensures that initiatives are not only relevant to the local context but also strategically aligned to achieve lasting impact.

Notes from the field

Moreover, it’s essential to have a clear direction of where you are going before starting any project. I don’t mean that you need to have every detail perfectly mapped out from the beginning—there is value in having room for flexibility and adaptation. What’s crucial, however, is ensuring that you’ve laid a solid foundation before implementation begins. This means engaging with the community, securing their support, ensuring that your strategy is feasible and grounded in the local ecological and community needs and that you are very clear on the ‘what’ and ‘how’.

Similarly, I’ve often seen film crews begin shooting without a clear story in mind. While it’s important to remain open to what unfolds in the field, this approach can sometimes lead to a disconnect with broader conservation goals and objectives. It's absolutely valuable to go into the field without all the answers—this is where stakeholder engagement plays a pivotal role. However, it’s essential to have a well-thought-out purpose for your project and a clear understanding of what you aim to achieve. You can learn more about this in Chapters 5 and 6.

Recommendations for your project

Undertake a detailed analysis to understand the environmental, social, economic, cultural, and political context of the area. Identify governance structures, traditional resource management practices, and factors influencing behaviours. This should include stakeholder mapping to clarify decision-making processes and ensure interventions are targeted and relevant.

Create a structured roadmap connecting actions to desired outcomes, clearly outlining assumptions, identifying root causes, and addressing potential challenges. This ensures that interventions are coherent, contextually appropriate, and adaptable to local realities.

Involve communities from the earliest stages of planning and throughout the decision-making and implementation process. Use participatory techniques such as mapping exercises, community-led site assessments, and feedback sessions to build trust and ensure solutions align with local priorities and values.

Collaborate to preserve and build on culturally significant practices, adapting interventions to the local context rather than imposing external models. Leverage traditional ecological knowledge, such as rotational grazing or indigenous land-use practices, as a foundation for conservation strategies.

Investigate the deeper drivers of behaviour and resource use to design solutions that target those underlying issues. For instance, understand how political, economic, and social systems influence land-use decisions and resource access.

Provide economically viable and culturally acceptable alternatives to harmful practices. Practical tools such as fortified enclosures, alternative grazing strategies, and mobile monitoring technologies can strengthen traditional practices and enhance ecological stewardship.

Train community members, such as rangeland monitors or conservation stewards, to take active roles in implementing and sustaining interventions. Ensure that capacity-building efforts, such as technology training or market access, are designed to remain effective after external programmes conclude.

Recognise that many environmental challenges span beyond individual communities. Facilitate collaboration among neighbouring communities or wards to ensure continuity in management practices and prevent competition for shared resources. Cooperative management of landscapes is essential for ecological connectivity and collective success.

Conduct educational programmes that emphasise the ecological, cultural, and economic benefits of conservation. Tailor messaging to resonate with local values and include participatory learning methods to maximise engagement and impact.

Establish a system for regular monitoring and evaluation that uses real-time data to assess progress and identify necessary adjustments. Include community members in the monitoring process to build ownership and ensure feedback is timely and actionable.

Work closely with traditional and formal governance structures to gain political and cultural buy-in. Align conservation goals with existing decision-making processes and governance systems to strengthen institutional support and community ownership.

Use participatory approaches to address deeply held beliefs and potential resistance to change. Build consensus by identifying community champions and fostering ownership over solutions through transparent and inclusive dialogue.

Avoid isolated or disconnected actions. Ensure interventions are part of a larger, cohesive framework that aligns with regional or national conservation goals, community development priorities, and ecological management plans.