Environmental indicators have to be based on the delivery of the information needed, not the data that is easily collected.

Local capacity has emerged as one of the strongest factors for communities to effectively generate, deliver and use ecological monitoring information.

When participants in a CBM project know that their efforts are making a real difference, it creates a sense of ownership over the project, fosters a sense of place, and generates commitment within the community.

CBM is self-reinforcing. Capacity building feeds into dialogue for effective information delivery and use. The effective use of locally collected information and the power to change decisions leads to stronger and wider community engagement, and so on. This positive feedback cycle builds social capital, which is one of the most valuable benefits of CBM.

Social capital, as created through CBM, can fuel sustainable community development.