There’s an organization called the World Future Council which gives a “Future Policy Award” each year, and this year it’s for biodiversity. As far as I’m concerned, the single policy change that has had - and continues to have - the greatest positive impact upon biodiversity (ever) was the change in wildlife ownership which began in Namibia in 1967. By giving de-facto ownership of wildlife over to land owners, that change in policy enabled the growth of the game-ranching industry throughout Southern Africa, not to mention the creation of all of the various CBNRM projects – all of which have benefitted biodiversity (as well as the hunting industry) tremendously. The benefits in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa are well documented. And as far as I know, the laws are still changing – (Tanzania, Uganda, Angola, … ?).

The WFC is accepting nominations from “a select group of international organizations” for this year’s award on biodiversity. I just thought SCI or Conservation Force might be interested. Maybe someone here can pass this along.

LINK

Link: http://www.worldfuturecouncil....re_policy_award.html