Humans have already modified around 80% the planet’s land surface. While this has allowed us to house, feed and clothe an ever growing population, this extensive transformation is also driving the extinction of millions of species along with the ecosystem services they provide to us, such as pollination, pest control, clean water and carbon storage. Many believe that people’s needs are at odds with nature conservation, but Dr. Cristina Banks-Leite shows how we can preserve species, increase the provision of ecosystem services to local farmers, and have a minimal impact on the economy.