When then-U.S. president John F . Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development in 1961, it was meant primarily to administer health and food aid around the world. In the decades since, USAID expanded to become one of the world’s largest financial contributors to conservation, providing nearly $400 million annually before the end of 2024.
However, that money is now complet...
By analyzing the dismantling of USAID's DIV program and its effects on conservation efforts, this article highlights the need for alternative funding mechanisms to support innovative projects. The discussion of two initiatives, Momentum for the Environment and Reimagining Conservation, demonstrates an emerging response to address the funding gap created by USAID's decision.
The piece also underscores the importance of USAID in global conservation efforts, suggesting that its dismantling could hi...