The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), one of the most forward-looking conservation bodies anywhere in the Middle East, aims to promote conservation through engaging local communities. Their flagship project is Dana Nature Reserve, which covers the beautiful Wadi Dana as it wends its way down from the Jordanian plateau to the Dead Sea. The village of Dana, at the head of the valley, was deserted and falling into ruins; the RSCN sought to encourage tourism to the area, thus providing jobs for villagers who were encouraged to move back into the village. So a traditional village has been preserved, and the visitor can get a feel for traditional lifestyles as well as being guided around the reserve, and perhaps on a hike down to the beautiful Feynan Ecolodge, by one of the locals. This in turn ensures that they have a real passion and interest in the reserve and its wildlife, which includes Nubian ibex and various endangered species of small predators like the Sand Cat and the Syrian Wolf.