World Wildlife Fund

Judy Oglethorpe

Blog 9-10 June 2008
Director, Community Conservation

Posted 9 June 2008, 11:40 AM

Hello everyone! My name is Judy Oglethorpe and I am the director of WWF's Community Conservation program.

Conservation success requires an integrated approach, so in addition to our work with species and places, WWF also addresses social issues like girls' education, health and livelihoods to benefit local people in developing countries., For generations these people have been stewards of incredible biodiversity, but they are often the poorest people in their countries with little access to social services.

In many places, people rely on nature to survive. For example, did you know that nearly one billion people worldwide depend on fish as their primary source of protein? That's nearly one sixth of the world's population. In Mozambique in Coastal East Africa we partnered with local fishermen and government to protect their waters from industrial trawlers that would literally "vacuum" the ocean - depriving local fishers of enough fish to sell and feed their families.

Now, no-take zones are producing more and bigger fish outside these fish sanctuaries, providing much-needed income and food for local communities, and forming the basis for sustainable fisheries. Partnering with people is a vital part of WWF's work to protect species and habitats.

People are often surprised to learn about WWF's projects with communities, so I welcome any questions you may have - thanks, Judy

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Posted 9 June 2008, 1.32 PM

Kerry R. wrote:
I thought WWF was a conservation organization - so why is it getting involved in helping people catch more fish?

Judy's response:
Fishing is a way of life and big business for millions worldwide. WWF works at the industrial and local levels to help businesses and communities fish in ways that don't harm the environment. By using damaging techniques such as poison or explosives, artisanal fishermen may increase their short-term catches, at the expense of fuields.

My program introduces alternatives that allow them to fish sustainably so that their children and grandchildren can continue fishing in healthy waters.

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Posted 9 June 2008, 1.49 PM

Josh L. wrote:
Where else besides Coastal East Africa does WWF help marine communities?

Judy's response:
We are also working in the Bering Sea and Kamchatka, Coral Triangle and Gulf of California regions. In Alaska, we are helping Native tribes protect the wild salmon stocks that are so integral to their culture and livelihoods. Our project in the Philippines (Coral Triangle) has established marine sanctuaries, conserved dugongs, provided women with access to voluntary family planning so they can have the number of children they desire, and increased the capacity of local marine-watch groups and government to enforce laws.

In the Gulf of California's Kino Bay, WWF and partners work with local fishermen to establish sustainable fishing practices in the San Pedro Martir Island Biosphere Reserve. There, small-scale fishermen working off local beaches account for almost half of the community's economic production. Because of this partnership, local fishermen will be able to depend on a bountiful catch within the reserve, even with other sites returning poor yields.

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Posted 9 June 2008, 3.56 PM

Sophie P. wrote:
Does WWF work with women in the environment?

Judy's response:
We do. Women make countless choices that affect the environment. In developing countries rural women choose what their family will eat that day and supply their homes with water and wood for heating and cooking. Yet, women often lack the education and social standing in their communities to participate in community conservation decision-making and are denied the resources and opportunities to develop their own potential.

Recognizing the different roles of women and men in natural resource management, WWF works with both groups to enhance their stewardship of the environment and improve livelihoods. Successful women's programs include small business development, access to health services like family planning and maternal and child health, fuel efficiency projects and literacy programs.

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Posted 10 June 2008, 9.56 AM

Tory K. wrote:
You mentioned girls' education, what's that?

Judy's response:
WWF's Girls' Education Program is an important part of our work with communities. In Kenya, school girls living in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve are playing an active role in ensuring the survival of endangered sea turtles. In Tanzania's Mafia Island - also part of the Coastal East Africa region - WWF supports 33 girl scholars. Their formal education is complemented by a hands-on approach to marine conservation through field trips, development of marine conservation information displays and competitions.

This program has supported girls' education in sites in four WWF priority places: the Eastern Himalayas, Coastal East Africa, Madagascar's Spiny Forest, and the Philippines' Turtle Islands (part of the Coral Triangle region).

Many studies around the world indicate that a sizeable percentage of young girls in developing nations do not continue with their education past primary school. Poor families tend to concentrate resources on educating boys, and girls often leave school early to get married or work in the home. Yet education of girls plays a major role in development. In response WWF's program assists in the education of girls through the completion of both primary and secondary school. The program also enables WWF to reach important target audiences in the community with conservation, livelihood and health messages through this program, and fosters support from youth growing up in high-biodiversity regions of the world.

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Posted 10 June 2008, 3.06 PM

Lisa J. wrote:
Do you need to travel with your job?

Judy's response:
Yes I do travel, but only as necessary as I am conscious of the impact of CO₂ emissions on the changing climate.

Last year I visited nine countries in Asia and Africa while we evaluated our population, health and environment program. It was fascinating to see how each project had taken communities' biggest needs into account and worked to resolve their problems with them. In Nepal, WWF is promoting fuel efficient stoves and biogas plants in households. For biogas, the family latrine and cattle dung feed an underground digester, from which biogas is piped to the kitchen. This reduces pressure on the forest, saves women work and time in firewood collection, and reduces respiratory infections in women and children because they are not breathing in smoke in kitchens.

And women report that now cooking is much cleaner, men are even starting to cook, saving them even more work!