Forward Together
A Culture-Nature Journey Towards More Effective Conservation in a Changing World
Why the Old Dichotomy Between People and Nature is Failing Our Planet
Explore the JourneyFor centuries, the prevailing model of conservation has often involved a simple, stark choice: protect nature from people. This philosophy has manifested as fences around protected areas, exclusion of local communities, and the perpetuation of a belief that human culture and pristine nature are separate, even opposing, forces. Yet, as we face unprecedented biodiversity loss and climate change, this model is increasingly revealed to be not just socially unjust, but ecologically ineffective.
This article explores the journey towards a more integrated future, where the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge systems, the insights of social science, and the power of equitable partnerships are forging a new, more hopeful path for our changing world.
The Rising Tide of a New Conservation Ethos
The global conservation community is at a turning point.
IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025
The recent congress in Abu Dhabi placed a powerful emphasis on "Powering Transformative Conservation," with equity, inclusion, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge as central themes 4 .
World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature
The historic first summit at the Congress delivered a clear message: Indigenous peoples are rightsholders and leaders in conservation, not merely stakeholders or beneficiaries 1 .
"For Indigenous peoples, conservation is everything, it is about life, it is about mother earth, it a way of living for Indigenous peoples, so conservation must be about the rights, governance and knowledge of Indigenous peoples"
Rethinking the Nature-Culture Divide
A Philosophical and Practical Failure
The roots of the "nature versus culture" divide run deep in Western thought. As one analysis notes, 17th-century philosopher René Descartes framed humans as distinct from and above the natural world, a view later reinforced by Francis Bacon's advocacy for using science to "conquer nature" 2 .
This worldview has shaped conservation policies that often alienate the very people who are most invested in the health of their local ecosystems.
Philosophical Perspectives on Nature
Percentage represents conceptual alignment with conservation success based on case studies.
The Cost of Ignoring Cultural Dimensions
When conservation projects overlook the cultural and social dimensions of a landscape, they risk alienating local communities and building distrust 2 . This can create divisions that undermine long-term conservation success.
Scottish Highlands
While an ecologist might see a "degraded landscape" and "ecological disaster" due to overgrazing, others see a land rich with Celtic legend and cultural charm 2 .
Tuscan Vineyards
The rolling vineyards of Tuscany, celebrated for their cultural romance, are the result of centuries of deforestation and monoculture 2 .
Resolving these tensions requires nuance and a willingness to see small-scale, culturally-rooted land management not always as a threat, but potentially as part of the solution.
The Scientific Case for Integration
Evidence from the Field
A Groundbreaking Study on Conservation Trade-Offs
A pivotal 2025 study led by researchers at the University of Helsinki and published in Biological Conservation quantified the trade-offs between different conservation planning strategies 3 .
Target-Based Approach
Sets clear, minimum protection goals for each species (e.g., ensuring at least 30% of every species' habitat is protected).
Flexible Approach
Aims to cover as much of all species' habitats as possible within a given area, without guaranteeing minimums for any single species 3 .
Conservation Approach Trade-offs: A Global Mammals Case Study
| Conservation Approach | Average Habitat Protection | Minimum Protection Guarantee | Key Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible Approach | Higher | No | Maximizes overall habitat, but risks leaving some species behind. |
| Target-Based Approach | Lower | Yes (e.g., 30% per species) | Ensures all species are protected, but is less efficient overall. |
Data adapted from Cavalcante et al. (2025) in Biological Conservation 3 .
Integrating Social Science into Conservation Practice
Fully realizing the potential of culture-nature journeys requires a deeper understanding of human behavior. A 2025 review of conservation literature highlights that while social sciences are increasingly recognized as essential, their application remains narrow 5 .
Broader Lenses for Understanding Human Action in Conservation
| Metatheory Focus | What It Explains | Scale of Change | Example Theory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Self | How personal attitudes shape behavior. | Small, incremental | Theory of Planned Behavior |
| Communal Needs | How social cooperation and collective action are created. | Medium, systemic | Diffusion of Innovations |
| Interdependent | How action and its causes shape each other in feedback loops. | Large, systemic | Practice Theory |
Based on a 2025 analysis of human action theories in conservation science 5 .
The Scientist's Toolkit
Frameworks for a Unified Future
Translating the culture-nature paradigm into on-the-ground action requires practical tools.
SAGE Tool
The Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity tool helps practitioners assess and improve governance and equity in protected areas 7 .
Natural Solutions Toolkit
Developed by The Nature Conservancy and partners, this suite helps planners visualize the value of nature in reducing climate risks 9 .
GSAP Knowledge Platform
This open-access hub provides conservationists with evidence-based guidance to translate global biodiversity targets into field actions .
Pause and Reflect Toolkit
Provides resources for facilitators to lead learning and adaptive management processes 6 .
Essential Tools for the Modern Conservation Practitioner
| Tool Name | Primary Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| SAGE Tool | Assesses governance and equity at the site level. | Helping a protected area in Nepal evaluate and improve community participation 7 . |
| Natural Solutions Toolkit | Provides spatial data on ecosystem services for decision-making. | Mapping coastal areas where mangrove restoration can best reduce flood risk 9 . |
| GSAP Online Platform | Centralizes guidance and resources for species conservation. | A government agency accessing action plans to meet its National Biodiversity Strategy targets . |
| Pause and Reflect Toolkit | Provides resources for facilitators to lead learning and adaptive management processes. | A project team learning from setbacks and successes to improve their annual work plan 6 . |
The Way Forward
Embracing Complexity for Resilient Outcomes
The journey towards integrating culture and nature is not about finding a single, simple answer. It is about embracing complexity, honoring different ways of knowing, and building partnerships based on trust and equity. As the IUCN Congress demonstrated, this is no longer a fringe idea but a central strategy for achieving global biodiversity goals 1 4 7 .
Projects embracing both ecological goals and cultural context show significantly higher resilience.
Inclusive approaches lead to substantially higher local participation in conservation efforts.
Culture-nature integrated projects demonstrate dramatically higher long-term sustainability.
Successful Cases from Around the World
Community-led Mangrove Restoration in Asia
Local communities combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation science to restore coastal ecosystems while sustaining livelihoods.
Rewilding of the Knepp Estate in Sussex
Retaining the historic core while restoring ecological processes, demonstrating that cultural heritage and ecological restoration can coexist and reinforce each other 2 .
Indigenous-led Protected Areas in Canada
First Nations communities establishing and managing protected areas that integrate traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary conservation science.
Forward Together
The future of conservation in a changing world depends on our ability to move forward together, recognizing that the threads of cultural heritage and natural ecosystems are inextricably woven into the fabric of a living, thriving planet.