Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation training transfers knowledge, skills, or attitudes through structured learning and follow-up activities, or through less structured means, to solve problems or fill identified performance gaps. Training includes long-term academic degree programs, short or long-term nondegree technical courses in academic or in other settings, nonacademic seminars, workshops, on-the-job learning experiences, observational study tours, or distance learning exercises or interventions. Natural resource managementand biodiversity training is important for building local capacity and promoting sustainability.

Officially established as a national park in 2004, Nyungwe is a rainforest that is home to a wide variety of rare plants and animals, some of which have only been found in the park. USAID has been working in Nyungwe since the mid-1980s. Our work there has helped to build an eco-tourism industry through activities like trail maintenance, training park guides, and creating partnerships with the private sector to invest in things like lodging around the park.

Increased economic benefits are increases in economic earnings or consumption due to sustainable management or conservation of natural resources. When people receive tangible economic benefits from natural resource management or conservation, they are more likely to value and support these activities into the future, well after the project ends, thus creating a sustainable impact.