(University of Oregon, 2024-08-07) Camacho, Alejandra; Hindery, Derrick
For years, Bolivia's cultural and environmental diversity has been threatened by indigenous marginalization and resource exploitation directly linked to waves of political and economic reforms that shape its people and ecosystems. This thesis examines a community-based conservation (CBC) initiative by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Bolivia in the Iténez Protected Area, applying a political ecological framework to analyze human-environment interactions over a complex network of spaces and time. The study advocates for the re-envisioning of conservation action, scrutinizes the role of NGOs, and highlights the influence of global power dynamics. It calls for genuine community participation to achieve sustainable development and environmental stewardship, challenging traditional conservation methods and power imbalances.
