Conservation work in the islands is unlikely to succeed in the long term without the support of the local people. ANET aims to teach local people of the “workings” of the fragile island ecology and help them understand the dangers of putting too much pressure on its resources. The Team also endeavors to instill a greater level of environmental awareness; that is, stakeholders are encouraged to appreciate nature and develop an active interest in conserving the islands wildlife and habitats. Further to this, ANET supports and trains local teachers, school children, settlers, people from the armed forces and naturalists so that they can build upon its conservation efforts.
Although some of ANET’s aims might at first seem ambitious and idealistic, the Team has already found that it is possible to influence government policy in the islands through lobbying and demonstrating workable pilot projects. After all, the islands’ key industries (including tourism, fishing and trade in forest and marine products) all depend on the survival of this archipelago’s unique biodiversity. The Administration is interested in the concept of alternative technology and ecologically sound land management, but all too often lacks the expertise and infrastructure that the Team and its collaborators can mobilise.