In early 1996, it became necessary to review the nature and scale of community conservation activities by KZN Wildlife. This was done principally as a means to evaluate the lessons of experience and to determine direction for the future. The changing nature and roles of the various staff involved in these programmes had given rise to problems of coordination, direction and the allocation of resources. In addition, it was clear that community conservation programmes extended far beyond the immediate context of the neighbours of protected areas, to all communities which have values for nature conservation opportunities.

The engagement of nature conservation management, and particularly, extension and protected area neighbour relations programmes with communities, is historically, a complex and dynamic development in nature conservation. This process is developmental, and reflects the changing values which society holds for nature conservation, and the array of opportunities through which the values and benefits of nature conservation can be harnessed by society. In a simplified way, this 20 year old process of community engagement and co-definition of the opportunities, values and beneficiaries of nature conservation as a public good, can be described as follows.

Early community conservation interactions were dominated by law enforcement but a developing concern for extension and education developed into the 1980's. It was, however, only into the 1990's that problem-solving partnership approaches emerged within a coherent neighbour relations programme.These were centred on diverse regional activities to establish forums, involve neighbours, deliver benefits and foster economic opportunities. The Community Conservation Programmes of KZN Wildlife contribute to the achievement of the functions, mission and vision of the KZN Nature Conservation Board in many diverse ways. These achievements occur primarily through working with people to ensure that the opportunities, values and benefits of nature conservation can be harnessed by all communities, within a framework of environmentally, socially and economically self-sustaining community-based natural resource management programmes.

The primary objective of KZN Wildlife's Community Conservation Programme is to contribute to the mission of the Nature Conservation Board, through working with communities to foster nature conservation value, within a framework of co-managed sustainable natural resource management. Secondary objectives are to develop processes for engagement with community stakeholders, and to determine standards and performance measures to evaluate Community Conservation programmes within nature conservation objectives.

COMMUNITY CONSERVATION POLICY:
The KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board RECOGNISING that:

• The achievement of its primary goal of conserving biodiversity is dependent on the allocation of resources to ensure sustainable use and to foster nature conservation value in society;
  
• Many communities are not aware of the interdependence of biodiversity and sustainable human development; 
  
• Unsustainable land-use practices threaten biodiversity;
  
• Nature conservation can play an important role in the development of sustainable livelihoods;
  
• The neighbours of protected areas have a direct interest in the management of protected areas;

AND REALISING THAT:

• Community conservation partnerships and interactions are processes whereby communities of all descriptions engage with KZN Wildlife in co-defining and realizing nature conservation value and opportunities;
  
• Community conservation is an integral part of the KZN Wildlife system to protect biodiversity and ecological processes in the province, to regulate activities which impact upon biodiversity, and to facilitate the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity outside protected areas;
  
  
• All communities should derive value from the conservation of biodiversity and from protected areas;
  
• Community conservation activities take place within many contexts across the province, including visitors to protected areas, protected area neighbours, within conservation districts and among the staff of KZN Wildlife;
  
• Community conservation partnerships should be centered on sustainable programs which promote developments that are culturally, economically, socially and ecologically viable; 
  
• Communities have unique perspectives and knowledge which need to be incorporated into decision-making by KZN Wildlife;
  
• A finite capacity to respond to diverse community needs can be enhanced by strategic partnerships with development and service agencies;
  
• Approaches to community conservation should be conducted within consultative partnerships which are inclusive, transparent and accountable;
  
• KZN Wildlife must act as broker/ facilitator and partner rather than primary developer outside of protected areas.

UNDERTAKES TO:
 Clarify nature conservation value, within a framework of developing partnerships with diverse communities throughout the province, and maintain Community Conservation services as an integrated function in KZN Wildlife inter alia to:

1. establish and maintain participatory structures with staff, neighbours and user groups (For example: Local Boards; Liaison Forums and special interest group committees), and to participate in other community structures when requested and where this relates to biodiversity conservation.
   
2. promote sustainable natural resource management within, around and beyond protected areas;
   
3. facilitate/broker and participate in local and regional community development based on nature conservation opportunities;
   
4. develop biodiversity conservation programmes based on sustainable economic and social opportunities within, around and beyond protected areas;
   
5. engage in biodiversity education and awareness enhancing processes which foster nature conservation value amongst protected area visitors, neighbours, schools, local communities and other interest groups;
   
6. develop, foster and enable access to nature conservation-based entrepreneurial opportunities;
   
7. seek mutually beneficial solutions to any nature conservation/community conflict;
   
8. promote the development, understanding and acceptance of nature conservation legislation;
   
9. integrate community conservation programmes within protected areas, communal areas and conservation districts;
   
10. promote community conservation services with a competent, professional staff.