Abstract
Many different fields are involved in the complex practice of biodiversity conservation. To be successful, ecologists and other natural scientists must collaborate with experts from disparate fields such as economics, politics, engineering, and anthropology. However, one of the most recently recognized contributors to a successful conservation effort are the community stakeholders who are intertwined with the local ecology. The people who live on the land that is to be restored or protected hold a crucial role in effective conservation efforts. They can provide scientists and conservation biologists with invaluable information known as traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), which can include how the land is and was used, how species composition has changed over time, and what forces they perceive to be affecting the land and its biota, among other observations. Such knowledge can help create an effective, well-rounded conservation plan. Locals are also key enactors of a conservation plan. The success of a biodiversity conservation project hinges upon the cooperation and enthusiasm of local community members, for without the support from local stakeholders, conservation efforts are neither practical nor sustainable. We will explore these concepts through case studies, showing examples of successes and failures, collaborations and disharmony. We will also address the nuances involved in discussing traditional ecological knowledge, including the associated misconceptions and stereotypes, and how these assumptions can affect the understanding and implementation of TEK.