The canton of La Cruz, Costa Rica is part of the Central American Dry Corridor (an area extremely vulnerable to climate change) and is characterized for having 60% of its territory under a protected area category, 40% poverty rates and low human development index rates (ranking 78 out of 82 cantons). However, community-led conservation approaches have proven to bring economic development. This session will include experiences from young women leaders, government officials, community-based organizations, NGOs and philanthropists to showcase transformational initiatives related to community foundations, rural tourism, service concessions for protected areas, local-women led homestays, private sector involvement and local government planning.