Case Studies
Case Study: Measuring Community Wellbeing in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
“The Wild Happiness Survey has provided invaluable insights into our communities near Volcanoes National Park during this crucial transition period. Our organization, Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development(RRISD), deeply embedded in these communities, was struck by how the assessment captured not just challenges, but the remarkable strength of our communities – their deep connection to the environment, strong cultural bonds, and community resilience. OneNature’s thorough analysis and practical recommendations give us a clear roadmap for supporting our communities through the park expansion while preserving what matters most to them. The survey’s holistic approach aligns perfectly with our vision of community-led conservation and sustainable tourism, and we look forward to using these insights to strengthen our programs.”
—Greg Bakunzi, The Executive Director, Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development(RRISD).
Location: Communities near Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Partners: Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development (RRISD)
Overview
The population of mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has grown from 400 to over 1,000 individuals—a global conservation success story. But such growth brings new challenges. As the park expands to accommodate this endangered species, nearby human communities face profound transitions, including partial or full land relocation.
At OneNature, we recognize that in order to be sustainable, conservation must include people. Our recent Wild Happiness assessment, conducted in partnership with Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development (RRISD), highlights the complexities of conservation transitions and the importance of understanding community wellbeing to ensure long-term success.
A Resilient Community in Transition
Despite the looming uncertainty, the assessment reveals extraordinary resilience among communities near the park:
- 75% report high life satisfaction — significantly above Rwanda’s national average of 33–35% and the global average of 55–57%
- 90% trust in local leadership
- 83% have strong social support networks
- 85% express deep cultural and environmental connectedness
These insights underscore a powerful foundation of community strength, even amid disruption.
The Power of Conservation, Culture, and Connection
Perhaps the most revealing insight is the strong correlation (0.72) between environmental wellbeing and cultural wellbeing—rising to 91% among community elders. This finding highlights that nature conservation is not just about ecological protection—it’s also about safeguarding the cultural and spiritual bonds people have with the land.
Identifying Areas for Support
While the community shows impressive strength, the Wild Happiness assessment also surfaced areas where targeted support is essential:
- Economic satisfaction: 66%
- Work-life balance: 61%
Households facing full land relocation reported consistently lower scores across multiple wellbeing domains compared to those with partial relocation, pointing to the need for equitable and responsive transition strategies.
Turning Data into Action
Insights from the assessment are informing a three-phase implementation strategy designed to:
- Preserve social cohesion
- Protect and celebrate cultural practices
- Strengthen economic resilience and opportunities
This community-centered roadmap ensures that development and conservation goals are aligned, leaving no one behind in the process of transition.
Why WellBeing Matters in Conservation
The story unfolding in Rwanda is a powerful case study in why measuring and supporting wellbeing is essential to conservation. When communities are affected by conservation-driven changes—no matter how positive the ecological outcomes—holistic support becomes critical to long-term success.
The Wild Happiness approach ensures that:
- Conservation respects and uplifts community voices
- Cultural identity remains intact
- Economic and emotional resilience are prioritized
Conclusion: Thriving Communities, Thriving Wildlife
As the mountain gorilla population flourishes, we must also ensure that the communities who have long stewarded their habitat thrive alongside them. The findings in Rwanda demonstrate that conservation and community wellbeing are inseparable.
At OneNature, we are proud to work with local partners like RRISD to put people at the center of conservation.
Case Study: Integrating Wellbeing into Conservation in Laos
“Our program in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, Laos, has built upon the rich ecological knowledge and traditional handicrafts of local communities to create alternative income opportunities. Alongside these efforts, we have worked on long-term natural resource management and the preservation of cultural heritage. Together, these initiatives lay a solid foundation for community wellbeing and biodiversity conservation awareness. As we approach the program’s conclusion in 2025, the Wild Happiness Index serves as a valuable tool to guide our focus, ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability with strong ownership and leadership from the local communities.”
—Camille Coudrat, Director, Association Anoulak
Location: Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, Laos
Partner: Association Anoulak
Traditional conservation efforts often prioritize wildlife populations, habitat protection, and economic metrics. But what about the human communities who live alongside wildlife—those who depend on forests and ecosystems for their wellbeing?
At OneNature, we believe that truly sustainable conservation must enhance both ecological and human wellbeing. Our recent partnership with Association Anoulak in Laos illustrates how this integrated approach can work in practice.
The Wild Happiness Approach in Laos
In collaboration with Association Anoulak, OneNature implemented the Wild Happiness Index in four villages within Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, one of the largest remaining forest blocks in the Indochinese Peninsula.
By measuring wellbeing across multiple domains, the assessment illuminated the strong foundation for community-based conservation in the region:
- 80% of respondents reported high environmental satisfaction
- 86% expressed a willingness to participate in conservation efforts
- 83% highlighted strong social support networks
- 70% reported high life satisfaction—exceeding national and regional averages
These results reflect not only a deep cultural connection to the forest, but also the potential for local communities to become long-term stewards of their natural environment.
From Knowledge to Action
While the assessment showcased strong social cohesion and environmental engagement, it also revealed challenges in areas like health access and livelihood diversity. This enables targeted interventions before Association Anoulak’s planned exit in 2025—ensuring that communities remain resilient and empowered.
The Future of Wellbeing in Conservation
The Wild Happiness Approach is more than a tool—it’s a philosophy grounded in deep listening, collaborative analysis, and co-creation of solutions. By engaging communities throughout the process, we ensure conservation strategies reflect local values, priorities, and aspirations.
Case Study: Understanding Wellbeing in a Maasai Community in Kenya
“Using the Wild Happiness approach in this community gave IFAW new insights about how the community feels about their lives and wildlife around them. The in-depth data analysis and expert recommendations OneNature provided help inform program design with the community to better meet their needs and track the wellbeing project impacts over time.”
—Jimmiel Mandima, Vice President, IFAW
Applying the Wild Happiness Index in Olgulului Ololarashi Group Ranch (OOGR)
Location: Amboseli Region, Kenya
Partner: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
Overview
The Maasai community in Kenya’s Olgulului Ololarashi Group Ranch (OOGR) plays a crucial role in conserving the wildlife and ecosystems that surround Amboseli National Park. In 2023, OneNature partnered with IFAW and Happiness Alliance to apply the Wild Happiness Index, a tool designed to measure holistic community wellbeing in conservation contexts.
By listening to the voices of 363 Maasai community members across 22 villages and zones, the project gathered rich, data-driven insights into how people feel about their lives, their culture, and their relationship with wildlife.
Building Trust and Establishing a Baseline
This foundational phase included:
- Training local data enumerators in culturally adapted methods
- Conducting surveys with heads of households
- Measuring wellbeing across nine domains and wildlife impact metrics
The results revealed remarkably high satisfaction with life, with an average score of 87.1, far exceeding both Kenya’s national average (44.87) and global benchmarks.
Deep Listening and Participatory Analysis
The Wild Happiness Index allowed for deeper analysis of gender, household size, and economic vulnerability, helping IFAW understand:
- Women and men report similar wellbeing, though men scored slightly higher in satisfaction with life
- Larger households show stronger community, cultural, and social support networks
- Food insecurity remains a key concern, especially in the dry season
Community members with strong cultural connections to wildlife also reported higher life satisfaction, revealing that traditions and wellbeing are tightly linked.
Co-Creating Solutions for People and Wildlife
Based on the findings,OneNature recommended shaping strategies rooted in community feedback, such as:
- Supporting food security solutions like school feeding programs
- Exploring ecosystem-based sustainable villages
- Promoting culturally respectful conservation practices, like the Maasai Olympics and Lion Guardian programs
Data also showed that trust in government, perceptions of wildlife, and community support systems are all deeply interconnected. These insights are now guiding adaptive conservation planning across the region.
Key Findings
- Satisfaction with Life: Exceptionally high across the community
- Top strengths: Psychological wellbeing, community cohesion, and cultural pride
- Top concerns: Food access, economic stress, and mixed feelings about the impact of wildlife
- Wildlife and culture: A powerful but complex relationship—wildlife brings income and identity but also safety and resource challenges
Voices from the Community
“It is our tradition to take care of wildlife. Wild animals are created by God and should be respected.”
— Survey respondent, OOGR
Looking Ahead: Turning Data into Impact
Through the Wild Happiness approach, IFAW is now equipped with a community-tested wellbeing baseline. This foundation will help:
- Track the social impacts of conservation efforts
- Guide strategic decisions for equitable and resilient outcomes
- Foster deeper collaboration with local communities
Why Wellbeing Matters in Conservation
The case of OOGR underscores that:
- Data-driven wellbeing metrics are essential for measuring conservation success
- Cultural connection to wildlife strengthens community resilience
- Community-centered strategies lead to long-term sustainability