Abstract:
In the past, growth in human population has often been associated with speciesloss. Current rates of population growth, both globally (1 million more birthsthan deaths every 103 hours) and regionally, pose a threat of additionalecological damage. There is a well-documented unmet demand for family planningin nearly all high-fertility countries. Improved family planning and safeabortion services will improve the health of women and their families,accelerate fertility decline, and help preserve the environment. Manyecologically vulnerable areas are especially poorly served by family planningservices. Examples are given here of improving family planning servicesthrough private health providers near the Kakamega Forest in western Kenya,and of adding family planning choices to a reforestation project run by theJane Goodall Institute near the Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Wildlifebiologists can play a critical role in identifying local professionals andinstitutions with the potential to improve family planning.