Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) is a registered non-government organisation (NGO) that aims to demonstrate the conservation of biological diversity through the active participation of local communities combined with the use of research techniques. Since its inception in 1994, AERF has been engaged in creating a link between conservation research and its actual use in the practices of sustainable development. AERF believes that establishing this link would aid not only ecosystem development, but also efforts in poverty alleviation. AERF has undertaken organized development and livelihood based projects, such as the widely publicized World Bank funded program to develop decentralized bio-fuel centers in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. The Foundation has also been expanding its scope of work and interests by taking on purely research based projects. AERF has also received international recognition for its work on sacred groves. In 2007 AERF Director Dr. Archana Godbole received the Associate Award by the Whitely Foundation for Nature (WFN), UK. This recognition of her work has AERF helped upscale its initiatives.