Why Conservation Needs to Care About Human Well-Being

When we think about conservation, saving wildlife and forests often come to mind. But the well-being of local communities is just as critical. Conservation strategies have evolved to integrate communities as key partners—an approach known as community-based conservation, now seen as the most sustainable way to protect biodiversity.

Nature and culture are deeply intertwined. Indigenous communities hold vital knowledge and a strong connection to their environment. Empowering them as stewards benefits both biodiversity and human well-being. Programs that respect local values and improve livelihoods—like education or health—build trust and inspire lasting environmental engagement.

However, assessing the true impact of such efforts remains a challenge. That’s why we partnered with OneNature to apply the Wild Happiness Index, a tool measuring links between well-being and conservation, in our program in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, Laos: Resilient Communities for Healthy Natural Ecosystems in the Annamites Mountains of Laos (2020-2025) program.

In 2020, Association Anoulak initiated this program targeted in the Thaphaibanh village cluster (4 villages) in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, with the following two objectives: 

• Objective 1: Development and implementation of bottom-up Non-Timber Forest Products Production Groups, at the village/cluster lever (in Thaphaibanh cluster: 4 villages)

• Objective 2: Natural Resources Management Plan for sustainable sourcing and use, at the village/cluster lever (in pilot Thaphaibanh cluster ~ 4 villages)

Our program’s strategic approach 2020-2025

Our program in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, Laos, has built upon the rich ecological knowledge and traditional handicrafts of local communities to create alternative income opportunities. Alongside these efforts, we have worked on long-term natural resource management and the preservation of cultural heritage. Together, these initiatives lay a solid foundation for community well-being and biodiversity conservation awareness. As we approach the program’s conclusion in 2025, the Wild Happiness Index serves as a valuable tool to guide our focus, ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability with strong ownership and leadership from the local communities. The Wild Happiness Index shows strong community support for conservation while highlighting steps to strengthen sustainability before our exit in 2025.

Average satisfaction scores across all domains, providing a snapshot of community well-being in Thaphaibanh village cluster

“The Wild Happiness Index represents a fundamental shift in how we approach conservation success. At OneNature, we believe that truly sustainable conservation must enhance both ecological well-being and human well-being. Our partnership with Association Anoulak and our assessment in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park demonstrate this beautifully – when communities thrive, they become powerful stewards of their natural heritage. The remarkably high environmental satisfaction scores we found reflect generations of traditional ecological knowledge and deep connection to the land. By measuring and understanding these relationships, we can help design conservation programs that strengthen both nature and communities.” – Beth Allgood, OneNature.

Conservation isn’t just about wildlife—it’s about creating ecosystems where people and nature thrive together.

Read the full report here:

Read the short presentation here:

As part of our program we coordinate handicraft village campaign that brings together villagers from different villages to share their traditional ecological knowledge and handcrafting skills. This reinforces community bonds.