How We Respond to COVID-19 Will Determine Our Relevancy for the Future

Miller, Adam E.

doi:10.1177/1940082920949182

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…Our experiences reinforced the premise that, through shared responsibilities and the shifting of project leadership roles from international scientists to Indigenous people and community‐led programs, the long‐term success of conservation strategies is strengthened and better able to withstand future challenges (Miller, 2020; Razanatsoa et al, 2021). The highlighted projects showcased the traditional knowledge of Malagasy wildlife professionals as they shared their history, expertise, and concerns regarding the local ecology.…”

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 59%

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An overdue catalyst: Limitations imposed by COVID‐19 improved capacity building in community‐led environmental education in Madagascar

West¹,

Tecot

Walker-Bolton³

et al. 2023

American J Primatol

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The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus brought many primatology research programs and conservation efforts to a halt. After Madagascar closed its borders during March 2020, many on‐site international project leaders and researchers returned to their home countries when their programs were delayed or canceled. Madagascar remained closed to travelers until November 2021, when it reopened to international flights. The 20‐month absence of international researchers allowed many local Malagasy program staff, wildlife professionals, and community leaders to step into new leadership roles and responsibilities. Many programs that already had strong Malagasy leadership and meaningful collaborations with local communities flourished, while others either swiftly strengthened these attributes or faced challenges from pandemic‐related travel restrictions. Here, we describe how the coronavirus pandemic events of 2020–2021 initiated long‐overdue shifts in outdated models of internationally led primate research and education projects in communities living alongside primates at risk of extinction. We discuss the benefits and challenges of pandemic‐induced changes within five primatological outreach projects, as well as how we can use these experiences to improve community‐led environmental education and conservation awareness in the future.

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Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 59%

An overdue catalyst: Limitations imposed by COVID‐19 improved capacity building in community‐led environmental education in Madagascar

West¹,

Tecot

Walker-Bolton³

et al. 2023

American J Primatol

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“…For example, economic and political decisions and crises in Madagascar severely damaged conservation efforts (Jones et al, 2019; Kauffman, 2006; Vieilledent et al, 2020) leading to environmental deterioration and biodiversity loss, despite efforts from international funding agencies (Jones et al, 2019; Kauffman, 2006; Mbaiwa et al, 2011). The COVID‐19 crisis provides an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of existing conservation strategies and research approaches across the tropics in the face of current challenges and to build resilience to future crises of all types (Miller, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fostering local involvement for biodiversity conservation in tropical regions: Lessons from Madagascar during the COVID‐19 pandemic

et al. 2021

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Tropical ecosystems host a large proportion of global biodiversity and directly support the livelihoods of many of the world's poorest, and often marginalized, people through ecosystem goods and services and conservation employment. The coronavirus pandemic has challenged existing conservation structures and management but provides an opportunity to re‐examine strategies and research approaches across the tropics to build resilience for future crises. Based on the personal experiences of conservation leaders, managers, and researchers from Madagascar during this period, we discuss the coping strategies of multiple biodiversity conservation organizations during the coronavirus pandemic. We highlight the vital role of local communities in building and maintaining resilient conservation practices that are robust to global disruptions such as the COVID‐19 crisis. We argue that the integration of local experts and communities in conservation, research, and financial decision‐making is essential to a strong foundation for biodiversity conservation in developing countries to stand up to future environmental, political, and health crises. This integration could be achieved through the support of training and capacity building of local researchers and community members and these actions would also enhance the development of strong, equitable long‐term collaborations with international communities. Equipped with such capacity, conservationists and researchers from these regions could establish long‐term biodiversity conservation strategies that are adapted to local context, and communities could flexibly balance biodiversity and livelihood needs as circumstances change, including weathering the isolation and financial challenges of local or global crises.

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“…

The COVID-19 global pandemic highlights the need for integrated solutions to human health, nature conservation, and social justice to restore the integrity of social-ecological systems (Miller, 2020;Miller et al, 2020;Oldekop et al, 2020). Community-based conservation (CBC) offers both opportunities and challenges in addressing the underlying issues across the tropics that lead to pandemics, such as climate change, social and economic inequalities, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity (Critchlow et al, 2017;Laurance, Sayer, & Cassman, 2014;Otto et al, 2013).

…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%