Globally, billions of people depend on the use of wild species, including plants, animals and fungi. Such use contributes meaningfully to food security, and to local and national economies and livelihoods, and is important recreationally, culturally and spiritually. Use, if sustainable and well-managed, can also be a powerful conservation tool because its social and economic benefits incentivize people to conserve target resources and natural systems. However, the consumptive use of wildlife can often become a deeply emotive and politically divisive issue.
The key focus of this event will be the stories and narratives of local communities and the importance of sustainable use, viewed from their perspective.
