The Transformative Pathways project has created a series of four guides to environmental monitoring, both for local organisations who are supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and for these communities themselves.
Introduction to community-based environmental monitoring: Practical guidance for monitoring of natural resources by Indigenous Peoples and local communities
This guide is for the local organisations working with communities (e.g. community-based organisations and local non-governmental organisations), which are facilitating Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) to design and implement environmental and biodiversity monitoring activities on their lands. The guide includes approaches and considerations for all aspects of environmental monitoring, but with a particular focus on biodiversity monitoring in response to the needs and priorities set by partners of the Transformative Pathways Project.
Ensuring the sustainability of customary use on Indigenous and community-held lands
This guide is for local organisations (e.g. community-based organisations and trusted local non-governmental organisations) which are supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP & LCs) in their desire to assess the sustainability of natural resources on their lands (both terrestrial and marine), and implement activities to ensure that this use is sustainable, where necessary. It can also be used by Indigenous Peoples and by local community groups directly.
Community-based monitoring of river health and biodiversity
For Indigenous Peoples and local communities, rivers are not just sources of water—they are also essential for fishing, cooking, travelling, and sustaining daily life. In many cultures they also have deep spiritual significance. Where rivers become unhealthy, the impacts on people’s health, cultures and wellbeing can be very substantial, and environmental impacts can also be significant. This guide for Indigenous Peoples and local communities presents a variety of options for monitoring the health of your local rivers and the diversity of life (biodiversity) that they support.
Community-based monitoring of freshwater turtles
This document is designed as a practical guide designed for monitoring freshwater turtle populations within communities. The guide outlines six stages for establishing and conducting effective community-based monitoring of freshwater turtles, detailing methods and procedures for assessing the health and sustainability of these populations.
