The Nature Conservancy
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The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
The Nature Conservancy commenced work in China in 1998, in a partnership with the Yunnan Provincial Government to help protect the biological and cultural diversity of northwest Yunnan Province, where the upper reaches of four of Asia’s great rivers – the Yangtze, Mekong, Salween, and Irrawaddy – are sandwiched between five spectacular Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. Among the area’s lofty mountain peaks and deep river valleys, there exists one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet – home to almost 100 endangered species, including the snow leopard, red panda, Yunnan golden monkey and black-necked crane. The region is likewise one of China’s most culturally distinct regions, home to 14 of China’s 55 ethnic minorities. With such a breathtaking array of unique natural and cultural forms at stake, the Conservancy has worked with a sense of urgency and resolve to fulfill its role in the protection of this ecologically and culturally significant area. In addition to its tireless efforts to conserve northwest Yunnan’s vital natural areas, TNC is likewise striving to alleviate poverty among its residents. As poverty has proven to be one of the principal underlying causes of unsustainable natural resource use and biodiversity loss in the area, the Conservancy has worked closely with local people to develop ecologically-sustainable economic development strategies.
Due to its overwhelming successes in northwest Yunnan, the Conservancy has been invited to expand its work with government partners across China on a number of important national and regional-level initiatives, including mapping out China’s biodiversity, strengthening the nature reserve system, combating global warming, protecting the Yangtze River, and promoting green wood procurement. Our ongoing commitment to conservation in northwest Yunnan has provided us with exemplary strategies to be replicated throughout the country. Looking back, we take great pride in the Conservancy’s steady development in China, growing to encompass broad-scale national initiatives in addition to concentrated local site work.
Website: www.nature.org
