For nearly 30 years, Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all.
Conservation International knows that human beings are totally dependent on nature — and that by saving nature, we’re saving ourselves. To that end, CI is helping to build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.
Conservation International does this through science, policy, and partnerships with countries, communities and companies. They employ more than 1,000 people and work with more than 2,000 partners in 30 countries. Over the years, CI has helped support 1,200 protected areas and interventions across 77 countries, safeguarding more than 601 million hectares of land, marine and coastal areas.
Why Conservation International exist
Nature doesn’t need people. People need nature. The food, water, health, jobs — they all rely on the health of the planet’s ecosystems.
But people are taking more from nature than nature can give. People are weakening the Earth’s ability to provide the clean air, fresh water and food people depend on.
In short, people creating a crisis.
Conservation International can end this crisis. But they need big ideas and even bigger solutions. Conservation International works at every level, from remote villages to the offices of presidents and CEOs, to find these solutions. The work is moving entire societies toward a healthier, more sustainable development path — so that they don’t use up today what they are going to need tomorrow.
Approach
CI doesn’t focus on one sector or one issue. And they are not interested in short-term fixes. Instead, building upon a foundation of science, partnership and field work, they find global solutions to global problems.
The CI approach is simple, yet transformative. It is based on the integration of three fundamental elements:
1. protecting natural wealth
The most fundamental aspect of the approach is to protect the places that they cannot afford to lose — the spectacular but vulnerable places on land and at sea that are especially important to humanity, the places that provide food, water and the air that people breathe.
2. fostering effective governance
The ability to protect natural wealth can only occur in places where there is a political commitment to do so, where policies support such actions and capacity exists to carry them out. They work with governments to ensure that they have the knowledge and tools to enact policies that are good for their people, now and for generations to come.
3. promoting sustainable production
Finally, and in tandem with the first two elements, forward-thinking policies and practices must be in place to promote sustainable production practices. They work with companies — including those with a big impact in sectors like mining, energy and agriculture — to help make sure that industry doesn’t undercut nature’s ability to support us.
Goal
At CI, they measure success in human terms. The ultimate goal is to protect the most fundamental things that nature provides to all of us: food, fresh water, livelihoods and a stable climate.
Mission
Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity.
Vision
They imagine a healthy, prosperous world in which societies are forever committed to caring for and valuing nature, for the long-term benefit of people and all life on Earth.
