Association for the Development of the Protected Surfaces was born in Switzerland in February 1997. It there has its registered office and joins together today nearly 100 members. Association functions by working groups, under the coordination of the president and of a committee, made up of the persons in charge of groups. The broad outline of the policy of the ADAP is given annually as a General Meeting. Its ambition is to contribute to a durable development of the zones still rich in flora and fauna, but which are currently subjected to a too strong pressure. It intends to pursue its goals by actions on the ground in Africa, and by information and research at the international level. The members of the ADAP bind Association to a broad institutional network and allow an interdisciplinary development of the activities of the organization. ADAP works with local communities in rural areas to support sustainable development. It finds solutions with locals, partners from the private sectors and the state to implement a participate management of the natural resources. The focus is put on the involvement of locals in the management process, and on the long-term viability of the development activities undertaken. Its main field of action is the poorest countries of Africa. At present time, two programs are underway in Central African Republic and Tanzania.