Our approach to environmental conservation
Community-led solutions for people and nature
Why we’re different
Traditional conservation starts with protecting places. Rare starts with people.
Our approach is distinctly human — one that puts people at the heart of climate and conservation solutions.
Our differentiator isn’t just what we do; it’s how we do it. Rare is the only global conservation organization powered by local leadership and governance and built on behavioral science. It’s an approach we’ve refined over decades.
The result? Conservation that’s rooted in people, driven by communities, and effective across land and ocean.
Rare’s People-Powered Approach to Conservation
We invest in people-powered, community-led solutions to environmental challenges. Built on behavioral science and delivered through partners, our approach supports fishers, farmers, and local leaders across Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific in some of the world’s most biodiverse and climate-vulnerable regions — where community-led conservation can make the greatest impact.
Visual: The three pillars of Our Approach
We start with people — their leadership, rights, knowledge, and vision for their future.
We use behavioral insights to spark and sustain the practices that restore nature and strengthen livelihoods.
We work alongside communities, governments, and local institutions to build durable conservation systems.
The Foundations of Community-led Conservation
Based on decades of experience, we know community-led conservation succeeds when four conditions are in place:
Visual: Graphic
Clear, secure authority for local communities to manage land, water, and resources.
Strong, inclusive local institutions capable of making and enforcing decisions.
Sustainable food systems and financial resilience, and economic alternatives that support stewardship.
Norms, identity, and pride that reinforce long-term caretaking of nature
These elements form the foundation of lasting conservation and guide how we work.
What drives community-led change
We help communities build these elements and remove the barriers that stand in their way. Our work centers on four strategies:
Visual: A 4-card grid (links to their respective pages)
Advance enabling policies and build coalitions of local leaders.
Apply behavioral insights and innovative tools to design and strengthen community-led solutions.
Expand access to capital, markets, and financial services that reward sustainable practices.
Change mindsets and cultural norms to make conservation the everyday default.
OR
Policy
Advance enabling policies and build coalitions of local leaders.
Behavioral Science
Apply behavioral insights and innovative tools to design and strengthen community-led solutions.
Finance
Expand access to capital, markets, and financial services that reward sustainable practices.
Narrative Shift
Change mindsets and cultural norms to make conservation the everyday default.
Together, these strategies shape the solutions we deliver with communities.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Rare?
Rare is a global leader in community-led solutions to protect nature, fight climate change, and build resilient communities. Learn more about us
Where does Rare work?
Rare’s work spans the globe. Our programs are centered in the Global South, while our training in behavior-centered design for community-led conservation has reached practitioners and communities in more than 100 countries.
We partner with fishers, farmers, and local leaders across Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific in some of the world’s most biodiverse and climate-vulnerable areas. Our flagship programs for sustainable fishing and farming are underway in Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Mozambique, Honduras, Guatemala, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia, with work beginning in The Bahamas.
How can I support Rare’s mission?
Your support makes a difference!
Donate now to empower people creating real change.
or
Subscribe to get stories of hope and impact delivered to your inbox.