In an inspiring movement toward justice and inclusion, conservation scientists are revolutionizing how we protect our planet by ensuring that environmental efforts work for everyone, not just a privileged few.

Following the global awakening sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, scientists took a bold step forward by pausing their work to reflect on how conservation practices could better serve all communities. This moment of collective introspection has blossomed into a comprehensive framework that promises to transform conservation for the better.

The new approach, detailed in a perspective published in Nature, addresses a long-standing challenge: too often, conservation efforts have inadvertently excluded or harmed the very communities most connected to the land. Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, particularly in the Global South, have sometimes found themselves displaced or marginalized by well-intentioned but poorly designed protected area expansions.

Now, scientists are charting a different course—one that celebrates and centers the voices of those who have been stewards of the land for generations.

The innovative RACE framework offers practical guidance for creating conservation initiatives that truly work for everyone. At its heart is a commitment to recognizing human rights as inseparable from environmental protection. Rather than viewing people and nature as competing interests, this approach acknowledges that thriving communities and thriving ecosystems go hand in hand.

One of the most exciting aspects of this framework is its emphasis on local community agency. Instead of imposing conservation decisions from above, the new model ensures that people who live closest to protected areas have meaningful decision-making power over how those areas are managed. This represents a fundamental shift toward respecting the knowledge and rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities who have successfully maintained biodiversity for centuries.

The framework also calls for challenging outdated norms in how BIPOC communities engage with conservation work. By fostering educational opportunities designed and led by BIPOC communities themselves, the field can cultivate a new generation of conservation leaders who bring diverse perspectives and deep cultural understanding to environmental stewardship.

This transformation comes at a crucial time. As political landscapes shift and federal support for social and conservation issues fluctuates, having a clear, principled framework provides invaluable guidance for practitioners worldwide who are committed to doing this work right.

Early-career researchers have been particularly energized by this movement, contributing fresh perspectives on how to build fairer conservation practices. Their enthusiasm and innovative thinking suggest that the future of conservation will be more collaborative, more just, and ultimately more effective.

The beauty of this new approach is that it doesn't ask us to choose between protecting nature and protecting people. Instead, it shows us how to do both—and do both better. By rethinking conservation practice to be truly inclusive and equitable, we're building a future where environmental protection strengthens communities rather than displacing them, and where the profound connection between cultural diversity and biodiversity is honored and celebrated.

This framework represents hope in action: proof that when we listen, learn, and work together across differences, we can create lasting positive change for both people and planet.