Since 1999, Osmose has undertaken a pilot action linking conservation and development in the Prek Toal area of the Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia. The site is the last breeding stronghold in Southeast Asia for large waterbirds, which were then seriously threatened by massive egg and chick collection for local consumption. The project implements an original approach integrating waterbird conservation, environmental education and ecotourism, with the equitable development of the local communities as an overall goal. After six years of efforts and ant's work, the waterbird colonies are saved, more than 1000 children follow the environmental education program, Osmose is the first ecotourism provider in the area, and over 100 poor families benefit from socio-sanitary support and alternative income-generating activities. The project is now recognized as a model by local and international peers. At this stage, Osmose is setting the tools for its program evaluation and impact assessment. As a micro-laboratory of the so-called 'sustainable' development, Osmose aims to answer the fundamental question: are the nice SD principles really able to extract populations of the South from poverty? Make an appointment in 2009 for the answer, and perhaps a gift for the 10 years of the project.