Stowing parachutes, strengthening science

[...]the historic legacy of differential wealth results in differences in educational backgrounds, access to funding, equipment, and expertise that leads to power disparities between parties collaborating on the ground for tasks ranging from project inception and data gathering to application of conservation strategies. Parachute science is a particular problem for conservation because we recognize the resource constraints that we have and the clear need to maximize our efficiencies in using these resources to develop an understanding of biodiversity, people, and the interactions between people and biodiversity that lead to good conservation outcomes. Adapted and condensed from de Vos ( 2022) Project planning Explicitly recognize multiple potential motivations for a study or a project Advancing science; advancing conservation knowledge, driving conservation impact, advancing one's career, building local capacity Conduct a literature review that includes local journals and/or local language publications Identify potential local partners and build the collaboration before going after funding Understand the science/conservation priorities of the place where the work will be conducted; listen Respect the local laws and policies regarding data collection, research permits, and conservation interventions Recognize that bringing funding to a new collaboration creates an inherent imbalance that requires managing; requires reparative equity sharing Recognize that working outside your home is a privilege and not a right Conduct reflexivity exercises with staff/researchers at regular intervals throughout the project to examine their influence and varied positions on the subject being studied Project structure Build truly collaborative partnerships Do not partner with local researchers simply to get permits (avoid tokenism) Do not place partners in subjugated roles Define everyone's role on the team; share leadership Coproduce the science to share the benefits Respect knowledge and advice from local partners Invest in capacity building Invest in training that can lead to jobs Ensure project is self-sufficient and can continue in your absence Provide opportunities for exchange Create opportunities for local students to participate and engage in research Recognize skills and capacity of local partners Building trust Invest time and commit long term Understand the role of key local leaders and work with them to drive policy changes Create opportunities rather than taking