Since the 1990s, grassroots conservation efforts in Mexico and Nepal have grown from community-driven initiatives into trusted national partners. By focusing on local leadership and sustainable funding, these organizations are making significant strides in protecting biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, and empowering communities.
- FMCN funds over 300 local partners protecting land and sea in Mexico.
- LI-BIRD empowers farmers with participatory research in Nepal.
- Both groups bolster climate resilience through community engagement.
What happened
In the early 1990s, conservationists recognized the need for permanent, local institutions to ensure lasting environmental protection, rather than relying on temporary foreign-funded projects that often disappear. Building on this insight, Mexico founded the Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FMCN) in 1994 following the Rio Earth Summit. FMCN operates primarily as a financing hub, mobilizing resources from international donors, governments, and private sources to support on-the-ground conservation organizations across Mexico.
Around the same time in Nepal, Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) was established in 1995 in Pokhara. Rather than focusing solely on funding, LI-BIRD pioneered participatory research involving farmers directly in breeding and selecting crop varieties to adapt to changing climatic conditions. Both organizations emphasize community partnerships and empowerment, creating strong local institutions that have endured through decades.
Why it feels good
These grassroots approaches highlight the power of community-led conservation. FMCN’s grantmaking has supported over 300 partners and benefited more than 60,000 people, covering 5.6% of Mexico’s land and 5.5% of its marine territory. Local communities actively participate in fire brigades, reef protection, and sustainable resource management that protect biodiversity and secure livelihoods. This deep local engagement builds trust and long-term stewardship.
Similarly, LI-BIRD’s participatory plant breeding techniques have helped smallholder and marginalized farmers, especially women, grow crop varieties tailored to shifting weather patterns. This method has influenced national agricultural policies and uplifted rural livelihoods. Together, these initiatives show how grassroots solutions can address environmental and social challenges holistically, reinforcing community resilience amid climate change.
What to enjoy or watch next
In Mexico, FMCN continues advancing the country’s MEx30x30 strategy, aligning with global efforts to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030. Its expanding network of local partnerships offers ongoing opportunities to see community conservation in action, from forest fire prevention brigades to marine protected areas safeguarding vital ecosystems like the Mesoamerican Reef.
Meanwhile in Nepal, LI-BIRD’s work is evolving to meet accelerating climate challenges by expanding participatory research and supporting climate-resilient farming practices. Watching how these efforts scale up and integrate with national development plans will be especially rewarding, promising a future where local knowledge leads innovation in both biodiversity and food security.