A woman in the Choco-Manabi Corridor, Ecuador.
© CI/photo by Haroldo Castro
The Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program (ITPP) works directly with Conservation International (CI) programs and partners, local leaders, communities, conservationists and other critical players in building a common agenda for the conservation of biological and cultural diversity. The program's activities strengthen the collaboration of these groups and expand the abilities of communities to effectively manage their lands and resources while also maintaining their livelihoods and their natural and cultural patrimony.
In 2003, CI created the Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program to strengthen our commitments to indigenous and traditional peoples and support the vital role of their territories in conservation landscapes. More than 250,000 square kilometers of critically diverse areas coincide with indigenous lands in the world's hotspots and high-biodiversity wilderness areas where CI works. Beginning with an initial focus in Latin America's Andes region, ITPP continues to expand its support in response to a global indigenous call for collaborative conservation action.
Conservation International sponsors the fellowship to create opportunities for leaders and scholars from indigenous and traditional peoples communities and organizations to explore solutions to the impacts of climate change and the threats to ecosystems and biodiversity that are affecting their lands, communities and livelihoods.
The Indigenous Advisory Group has worked since 2009 to improve collaboration between non-governmental organizations and indigenous groups, especially related to climate change strategies like REDD+.