Bolstering community well-being through wildlife conservation: Broadened approaches engaging wildlife well-being and indigenous wisdom

Abstract

ABSTRACT This perspective article highlights the global well-being movement within and beyond community development, which can be informed to examine the interconnections between wildlife well-being and human well-being. COVID-19ʹs global impact has brought into sharp focus the magnitude of the social, economic, and environmental crises facing leaders, communities, nations, wildlife, and the planet. Post-COVID-19, community development research, policy, and practice require comprehensive approaches addressing social unrest, climate, and biodiversity in tandem. This article showcases how community development professionals can leverage wildlife conservation to bolster and mutually reinforce community well-being, drawing on the natural and cultural capital literature, which can inform empirical research, theory, and practice. This article guides community development professionals to link wildlife capital/well-being to human well-being, embrace Indigenous wisdom around conservation, and build upon momentum in scientific inquiry around well-being measures. This perspective article concludes showcasing how community well-being pursuits can integrate wildlife and local wisdom in community development.