The UNDP Equator Initiative, supported by generous funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), awarded the Equator Prize 2020 to 10 outstanding local communities from 10 countries. This includes Boon Rueang Wetland Forest Conservatoin Group (BRWFCG) from Thailand. The winning organizations showcase innovative nature-based solutions (NBS) for tackling biodiversity loss and climate change. 

Boon Rueang Wetland Forest Conservatoin Group (BRWFCG) formed in response to threats against the largest wetland forest in the Ing River Basin in Northern Thailand. Their forest ecosystem is critical to protect natural water reserves for agriculture and consumption, provide wildlife habitat, naturally store carbon, and preserve the biodiversity of the Indo-Burma Region. Through thoughtful advocacy, the group successfully reversed an earlier administrative decision to use Boon Rueang Wetland Forest for industrial purposes.

The following case study is one in a growing series that describes vetted and peer-reviewed best practices intended to inspire the policy dialogue needed to scale nature-based solutions essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).