Action on the Ground

People in developing countries often depend on natural areas and natural resources for their livelihoods. Poor people relate well-being to the environment in terms of health, security, hygienic physical surroundings, safe and clean energy supplies, housing, access to and control over resources (especially food production) and agricultural production. The links between environment and well-being are not always straightforward, yet it is clear that the environment plays a complex but crucial part in livelihood strategies.

Therefore many of the pressures on the environment that threaten birds, their habitats and biodiversity also have adverse effects on local communities. Unsustainable use of natural resources can deepen poverty as essential resources are exhausted and services and functions of natural ecosystems are destroyed or diminished.

Many biologically rich areas have a long history of human use. By integrating conservation and development through a process of empowerment of local communities, bottom-up decision-making and support for measures to meet people’s needs and improve local livelihoods, BirdLife International helps people to achieve secure, sustainable livelihoods that are positively linked to natural ecosystems.