Improved management of natural resources and important ecosystem services not only supports economic growth and strengthens resilience to climate change but also can provide the foundation for sustainable development.
Across the developing world, population growth and surging demand for agricultural land has put tremendous pressure on natural resources as people strive to meet their daily needs for food, shelter, and energy. Many governments face increasing pressure from communities and local and international businesses to exploit natural resources in the quest for economic growth. But DAI’s experience has shown that growth and conservation are not mutually exclusive—in fact, linking the two can have significant, mutually reinforcing benefits.
Promoting broad participation, advocacy, and accountability as the pathway to better-managed natural resources, our specialists partner with local governments and communities to develop and implement the enabling policy and legislative frameworks required to devolve management authority and resource-use rights of the forest, fisheries, and wildlife sectors. Combining local knowledge and the findings of environmental impact assessments, we help to raise awareness of land-use activities that compromise the ecosystem and biodiversity. Building on this heightened environmental awareness among stakeholders, we employ training and incentives to redirect development into sustainable channels.
In parallel, we work with national governments, communities, and conservation organizations to improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation at a landscape level, safeguarding emblematic and precious ecosystems and species whose existence is a fundamental cornerstone of a broader sustainable landscape. Our contributions include technical assistance in sustainable financing, improving the systems and mechanisms for scientific research and the formulation of conservation strategies, and improving the effectiveness of protected area and ecosystem management.
As a consultant for DAI, Jonathan Ammoun provides technical inputs and oversight on project proposals and climate, natural resource management, and social protection projects.
Nilu Puri Basnyat is an experienced program manager and technical specialist for governance and environmental water projects in Nepal.
Zac Bull is a Senior Consultant in climate and natural resource management, based in DAI’s U.K. office.
Kevin Carlucci is a development professional with more than 20 years of experience across a diverse set of disciplines, including finance, natural resource management, economic policy reform, and emerging market economic development.
Doreen Erfe is the Resources Mobilization Specialist for the Philippines Safe Water Activity.
Jette Findsen has experience working internationally and domestically on issues of climate change, natural resources management, clean energy, and climate finance.
Jeremy Keeton specializes in biodiversity conservation and climate change, with an emphasis on environmental governance, climate change adaptation, and anti-wildlife trafficking.
John Leckie has 19 years of international project experience in the land, natural resources, and environment sectors in Europe, Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and South America.
Joey Manfredo is an international development professional with more than a decade of project management and leadership experience in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sofia Martinez is a Principal in the Climate unit, where she focuses on strengthening DAI’s corporate responses and leadership, supporting existing projects and pipelines, and identifying future areas and opportunities.
Robin Martino is Chief of Party for the Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) Activity. INRM provides on-demand technical assistance for USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices across a wide array of environmental and natural resource management issues.
Alma Porciuncula has been leading DAI’s work in the Philippines on innovative financing for water supply and sanitation projects, policy, and regulatory and utility reform since 1994.
Jonathan Randall has been working at the intersection of sustainable economic development, climate change, and environmental conservation for more than 17 years.
Darren Saywell has 25 years of experience in practice, research, and policy development in water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WSSH), with a particular focus on solutions in urban environments.
Bruce Spake leads the company’s development initiatives in the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan.
Catherine Wallis has 20 years’ experience delivering multi-annual programmes delivering rural development, sustainable livelihoods, and social development outcomes in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Indian Ocean.
Patrick Wieland is an environmental and natural resource lawyer with more than 16 years of experience improving environmental management in Peru.
The Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) program is designed to drive the uptake and operationalization of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s new Environment and Natural Resource Management Framework.
Read MoreThe Vietnam Sustainable Forest Management Activity helps the Government of Vietnam reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management.
Read MorePeru Prevent helps Peruvian institutions and actors more effectively manage the country’s natural resources for future generations.
Read MoreThis project increases the value of traded timber products, strengthen forest law enforcement and governance, and share forest benefits more equitably through implementation of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement between Liberia and the European Union.
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