What are some successful community-led initiatives for providing environmental services?

An example I developed was a watershed and water fair celebration held at elementary schools. Local natural resources management personnel created interactive inquiry based games that explored all aspects of a watershed management plan: forestry, fire, agriculture, archaeology, water quality, water resources wildlife and invasives. Prizes, donated by locally owned businesses were given to the classes with the greatest points earned. Luncheon was also provided for the educators, students and participants. It was a wonderful, fun and informative day.

Growing Forests is a for-profit corporation based in Nova Scotia, Canada, that raises small amounts of investment from a large number of citizen-investors to purchase private forests that are at risk of being clearcut. They manage those forests in an ecological manner that improves the age and health of the forest through time. They generate revenue from the sale of carbon offset credits, logs and recreation. They're an example of citizens fed up with rampant clearcutting who pool their resources to do something about it.

An example in Nigeria is the National Park Service community support zone program whereby communiyies around the park are allowed under the supervision of rangers to go into the park to benefit from the park resources.

Planting trees is a well used approach. It can involve a wide array of groups including students. While planting a tree is useful, take it a step further. Involve participants to collaborate on a larger project such as a Project Canopy grant or help design an open space with various native tree and native shrub species, for example.

Planting native plants for birds, bees, and butterflies (pollinators). Urban landscaping and parks designs must change from high maintenance dependence on harmful pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, and mowing machinery. In addition, they must change from introducing alien and ecologically inappropriate plant species that have potential to become invasive plants or of no value to local wildlife.

Restoring or conserving ecosystems. This includes planting of native plant communities (not just trees!) and controlling invasive plants and animals. Creating green spaces that provide for pollinators and birds and promote pollinator gardens to homeowners. Promote home composting to feed the gardens. Composting processes the garden residues. Composting - gardening is circular. Discourage the use of pesticides, inorganic fertilizers and growing turf lawns that require irrigation. Save water and prevent pollution.

Encourage communities to use manure to enhance crop production and yield as alternative to fertilizers and other harmful chemicals that are harmful to man, soil and the environment generally. Some of these chemicals could penetrate the earth surface, get washed into streams or river thereby polluting the water used for comsumption by the natives and also harming the fishes and other lives on water

Chiranjiv S, it appears you are forgetting that those on the land that "would if they could" are already struggling and not in a taxable position...use of the taxation system would need to be reward for risk.

A recent scientific paper (November 2023) highlights the success of a Citizen Science approach in biodiversity monitoring along the Central Italian Adriatic coast. Conducted by various Italian universities through the Wild Coast CASCADE iNaturalist project, non-scientist volunteers collected 3784 records covering 742 species, with 81% meeting "research grade criteria." The data, collected between 2020 and 2023, focused on IUCN Red List species, European conservation concern species and habitats, and non-native species. Notably, 291 georeferenced animal records from the global IUCN Red List, 51 indicator plant species, and 44 non-native plants and animals were documented.

If we can remember our public trust obligations to future generations, our own public agencies could gain badly needed credibility as environmental advocates rather than just "paid public employees."

Citizen scientists are invaluable in collecting data and making observations that supplement regular natural resource staff and their seasonal field crews. Southern Utah and other areas around the state have seen an increase in 'Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) from drought, decreased stream flow, and eutrophication. The Utah State University Extension Service has extensively used 'citizen scientists' to be part of Utah's Water Watch Programs. One successful program is the HAB Squad. Encouraging high school and university students to become 'citizen scientists' benefits not only the participants but also the watershed they live in. Water Watch volunteers can often share their experiences more persuasively because neighbors listen to neighbors.

One thing i found helpful is the use of gender equality and social inclusion approach to environmental management. The role women play in environmental conservation cannot be over emphasised. Women (indigemious women)are stewards of the enviromnent they possess unique knowledge and understanding of the ecosystem as such their inputs and decision making roles and ability need to be considered when making policy that concern the environment.