Equipping ourselves with the knowledge we need
Conservation has been described as a social process underpinned by science. There is no doubt that, in our struggle to prevent and reverse biodiversity loss, winning the battle for the hearts and minds of governments, companies, investors, communities and consumers will take all our powers of persuasion, insight and empathy.
But we also need to be armed with hard facts, and equipped with the knowledge to enhance our understanding, continually refine our approach and develop innovative solutions to the conservation challenges that we face.
Sound science, as the mission statement of Fauna & Flora makes clear, forms the bedrock of all our conservation interventions on behalf of the world’s threatened species and ecosystems. We set great store by the scientific credentials of our conservation staff, both in terms of qualifications and practical experience.
But this collective expertise does not mean that Fauna & Flora’s approach to conservation is constrained by a narrow scientific methodology.
The local knowledge of our in-country partners also provides crucial insights into the unique characteristics of the landscapes and species that we are working to safeguard, enabling us to understand the wider context in which we are operating and to tailor our activities accordingly.
Fauna & Flora’s approach may be grounded in science, but we are institutionally hard-wired to be adaptable, pragmatic, light on our feet and opportunistic. And innovation has been our watchword from the moment the organisation was first founded in 1903.
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Learning lessons and sharing knowledge
Find out how we capture lessons from our work and use these to inform conservation practice.
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Tackling marine plastic pollution
Microplastic particles are impossible to recover once they've entered the ocean. Fauna & Flora are working to reduce microplastic pollution from the direct source.
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Addressing climate change
How we are working to ensure that critical species and habitats survive, no matter what the future may hold.
Learning and sharing
In the rapidly evolving field of conservation, it is essential for us to continually expand our knowledge, adapt to changing circumstances and respond to new developments, positive or otherwise. Only by learning lessons and sharing knowledge can we equip ourselves – and our partners – with the relevant tools needed to tackle emerging threats and embrace new opportunities.
Harnessing technology
Throughout its history, Fauna & Flora has remained close to the cutting edge of conservation, and our willingness to embrace the latest advances in technology has been a key facet of this openness to new ideas.
Solutions to pollution
Pollution in all its forms poses another clear and present danger to our planet. Marine pollution, in particular, has been on Fauna & Flora’s radar for many decades, but in recent years we have focused our efforts on addressing the problem of marine plastic waste. Specifically, we are shining the spotlight on plastic pollution, a blight on our oceans.
Climate change
Among those emerging threats, there is no greater challenge than global climate change. Protecting natural habitats that absorb and store carbon and thereby help to reduce global greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has always been a core Fauna & Flora activity, but we are also pioneering schemes that empower (and provide incentives for) communities to keep forests standing and therefore reduce global carbon emissions. Where adaptation is concerned, Fauna & Flora’s ultimate objective is to build resilience to climate change at all its project sites worldwide.
Flagship scientific journal
Oryx—The International Journal of Conservation has provided the academic platform upon which our organisation has built a reputation for scientifically sound conservation. The world’s longest-running journal of conservation science, it also supports the publication and communication aspirations of conservation practitioners and researchers worldwide.
