Advances in Privately Protected Areas

Book excerpt: As the world faces a biodiversity crisis, the protection of important natural areas and areas that are priorities for ecological restoration is becoming increasingly important. Global biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity are proposing the protection of 30% of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Privately protected areas are often under-recognized, despite their significant contributions to biodiversity conservation. These areas, which meet the IUCN definition of a protected area and are under private governance, are highly diverse and involve a wide range of people and organizations. This includes governance by individuals and groups of individuals; non-governmental organizations; corporations; for-profit owners such as ecotourism companies; research entities such as universities and field stations; or religious entities. As a result, they experience a set of challenges and opportunities that are often distinct from those faced by government protected areas.