ABSTRACT
To couple biodiversity conservation with bioprospecting, we chose to establish a fund that works through a Panama-based foundation that promotes the study, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The foundation we work with, Fundación Natura, has supported projects throughout Panama. The fund we established, the National Environment Fund, will provide financing that will be available for conservation and development projects, including biodiversity prospecting, accessible through Fundación Natura’s existing competitive grants programme. The National Environment Fund will receive a portion of all access fees, milestones and royalties that are generated by International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG) bioprospecting activities in Panama.
