Wild, managed, and domesticated plant resources represent a vital “green” social security to the majority of the world’s people in the form of food, fuel, housing, textiles, medicines, and income from their processing and sale. Around the world, traditional systems of managing these resources are put under great stress by forces such as global markets for wood, non-timber forest products, and other biological or mineral materials. Sometimes international efforts to save the environment through large-scale conservation programs inadvertantly cause the end of ancient systems of effective resource stewardship.

The PPI network brings together local and international experts to combine traditional knowledge and biological sciences in the most advanced and integrated development, conservation, and education projects in six primary program areas. By working together with local groups in collaborative partnerships, PPI develops sustainable local solutions to improve the interface between human cultures and natural environments. Through the mentoring and education of future natural scientists in project areas, PPI hopes to see a new generation of practitioners who practice conservation that works for local people whose survival depends on the wise use of their resources.