PRCF Thailand works with local Karen-Thai communities to protect the endangered Lar Carpenteri Gibbon in the landscape of the Ob Luang National Park. We support community-based conservation initiatives by building local capacities to protect the species and its habitat, and to document and help protect the Karen-Thai cultural environmental conservation values.
Community-based conservation
We support Karen-Thai communities by providing training in conservation planning and research, and in the application of habitat conservation and restoration initiatives. Training provided strengthens the capacity of local people and empowers villagers to engage in, and take ownership of their conservation efforts.
Cultural values protection
PRCF Thailand recognises that effective conservation cannot happen without the support of local communities, who are quite often influenced by their unique cultural values and prevalent economic conditions. We research cultural aspects of target villages to better understand the communities in which we work, and partner with local organisations whenever possible. Additionally, we document oral cultural traditions as they relate to conservation and disseminate the information back to the communities so their traditions can continue.

Land use planning
Communities living in and near the Ob Luang National Park use the available land to sustain their livelihoods through agriculture and forestry. At PRCF, we believe conservation should never be at the expense of the local communities. In order to support their livelihoods and promote sustainable use of land resources, we facilitate land-use planning initiatives that encourage sustainable use of land resources and the protection of high value forests and conservation areas.
