Land degradation, the depletion of natural resources and climate change threaten arid social-ecological systems. To recommend needed actions and review the changes that affect the natural environment of the Draa Basin, an arid river basin in southern Morocco, we provide an overview of past, current and possible future developments. From an ancient human society living in balance with nature, over the first degradation processes caused by grazing and a greater demand for resources, to the major changes caused by river dams, and the intensification of agriculture and human population growth, the basin has undergone numerous anthropogenic changes. Together with illegal wildlife trade and overhunting, this has led to declining population sizes and the extinction of species such as the Barbary lion. Increasing efforts of governments, accompanied by multilateral environmental agreements, set nature conservation processes in motion in the 20th century. This started the creation of initiatives and protected areas, such as Iriqui National Park. The future pressures of climate change and water scarcity require increased efforts and effective conservation to preserve the natural and socio-cultural heritage of the Draa Basin for a resilient and sustainable future. Based on this extensive literature review, we therefore provide recommendations that can pave the way to a sustainable future for this and other arid and non-arid regions worldwide. The following points are identified as key leverage points: conservation and restoration of habitats, sustainable resource use, prevention of desertification and land degradation, and the involvement of all demographic groups and stakeholders in conservation planning.