USAID Conserve

🌍 USAID Conserve Shares Lessons Learnt from Cambodia’s REDD+ Projects with ASEAN stakeholders 🌱 USAID Conserve provided an overview of USAID Cambodia’s 12 years of support to REDD+ projects in Cambodia to a diverse group of stakeholders in Jakarta, Indonesia, during several roundtable discussions and at an ASEAN Carbon Markets workshop organized by the US Embassy in Jakarta and the US Mission to ASEAN. The roundtable discussions were held with Indonesian REDD+ project developers, the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and other government, private sector, and NGO stakeholders. Perspectives presented by USAID Conserve were complemented by those of Frances Seymour, Senior Advisor for Forests from the US State Department’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the US Forest Service’s Climate Fellow to Vietnam, Silvestrum Climate Associates Principal for Climate Policy and Financing, SERVIR Southeast Asia, and experts on the California, Washington, Oregon, and Regional Greenhouse Gas Trading Initiative emissions compliance markets in the United States. USAID Cambodia has supported the development of nine REDD+ in Cambodia since 2012. These efforts and the state of play of REDD+ globally were the focus of a recent study. The main conclusions of the study highlighted the durability, integrity, and inclusiveness of REDD+ projects supported by USAID Cambodia. Sharing these findings with ASEAN member states encourages REDD+ project developers and proponents in other ASEAN member states to develop high-integrity REDD+ projects that can be nested into jurisdictional REDD+ frameworks, include rigorous and project area-specific baselines, and utilize transparent and accountable benefit-sharing frameworks. The development of high-integrity REDD+ projects in Cambodia and beyond is critical to ensuring government, investors, and civil society have confidence in the positive role that REDD+ projects can play in addressing the climate crisis, supporting local development, and conserving biodiversity. Follow this link to read the REDD+ Cambodia Case Study: https://bit.ly/47l6yAN #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve #REDDPlus

🐟 Strong aroma but good taste! Strong aroma but essential! 🍛 🥘 Prahok is more than just a taste—it’s a symbol of Cambodian culture and resilience. Prahok has been with the Cambodian people since the 9th to 15th-century Angkorian Era. Made from freshwater fish like trey Kompleanh (Moonlight gourami) and trei P’touk (Snakehead murrel), prahok has been at the heart of Khmer cuisine. It is produced during the season when fish are abundant and reserved for times when fish are scarce. Today, our community fisheries continue the age-old practice of producing prahok, ensuring that this staple remains a vital source of protein for many families. However, climate change and economic challenges have made it harder for small-scale fishers to sustain their livelihoods. By supporting local fisheries, you help preserve a critical part of our heritage and provide essential nutrients to our communities. USAID Conserve is working with our partners to support community fisheries around the Tonle Sap lake to improve their livelihoods through value chain specific approaches, including climate-smart practices, market systems development, and the enhancement of products and services. 🌾 ✨ Let's keep the flavor and tradition of prahok alive and support our community fisheries! #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve #Community #SupportLocal #Prahok #KhmerCuisine #CommunityFisheries

📢 Job Announcement! 🌳 USAID Conserve is currently seeking candidates for a position to join us aiming to protect natural resources and improve rural livelihoods. 1. Finance Officer (1 position) - Phnom Penh 2. Procurement and Operation Officer (1 position) - Phnom Penh 🌟 Closing date: 31 August 2024 🔎 For more information: https://bit.ly/3X7uXX1 🌳Join our team and be part of the conservation work! #JobAnnouncement #USAIDConserve

🌿Reforestation: USAID Conserve Project, with support from its partner RECOFTC, has planted 5,500 trees in collaboration with local communities within the Tonle Sap Lake Flood Forest, Battambang Province, in the Kampong Prahok community fishery. Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. is a versatile tree with many benefits. It can thrive in water for long periods and reproduces through seeds and regrowth. This tree is commonly found around Tonle Sap Lake and in flooded forests. It plays a crucial role in providing shelter for various species, especially by offering spawning grounds for fish and providing food and habitat for birds. Additionally, the young leaves can be used in Khmer cuisine, and its bark is traditionally used as medicine to treat malaria and diarrhea. This remarkable tree stabilizes floodplains, stores carbon, and supports countless species. It also provides livelihoods for communities through community-based ecotourism and holds cultural significance for people living in the area. Let’s work together to protect this vital tree and its ecosystem! 🌿 #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve #Reforestation #Barringtoniaacutangula #conservation #ecosystem #biodiversity #sustainability

🐘 Happy World Elephant Day! On this occasion, we celebrate the majestic elephants that play a vital role in Cambodia's history, culture, and society. 🌳 With their environmental significance and deep connection to humans, they remind us of the crucial need to preserve their natural habitats for future generations. Together, we can cherish and protect them by avoiding the consumption of luxury wood and bushmeat, ensuring they continue to thrive in their natural environments. #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve #WorldElephantDay2024

🌊 World Ocean Day 2024 is over, but the conservation of marine natural resources still continues! 🪸 🤝 Enjoy the video clip of the World Ocean Day 2024 celebration in Koh Rong! Let's continue to protect this treasure for future generations! #SaveOurOceans #MarineLife #ClimateAction #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve

🌿 August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples🎉 Today, we honor and celebrate the rich cultures, languages, and traditions of Indigenous communities worldwide. This day serves as a reminder of the vital role Indigenous Peoples play in protecting our planet's biodiversity and preserving ancient heritage. Did you know that Indigenous Peoples make up less than 5% of the world's population but protect 80% of the planet's biodiversity? Let's appreciate their invaluable role as environmental stewards. Share your respect for Indigenous cultures, and let's work together to protect their rights and preserve their heritage.🧡💪🏽 Photos: © Department of Ethnic Minority Development | Seng Kosoma #IndigenousPeoplesDay #CulturalHeritage #WorldIndigenousDay #ទិវាអន្តរជាតិជនជាតិដើមភាគតិច

🐘 USAID Conserve: Surveying, Interviewing, Understanding Bushmeat Consumers! USAID Conserve conducted a quantitative survey of 610 urban bushmeat consumers in Phnom Penh, Stung Treng, Preah Sihanouk, and Koh Kong provinces. Participants were asked how frequently they consume bushmeat, where they purchase and consume bushmeat, and why they engage in bushmeat consumption. Survey respondents also provided their demographic information, preferred media channels, and the public figures and/or influencers they follow. 📝 The quantitative survey was complemented by a qualitative interview of 85 bushmeat consumers. This interview provided detailed information on where, why, and how respondents consume bushmeat. In addition, bushmeat vendors and restaurant owners were interviewed about their role in the bushmeat trade. Effective social behavior change communications (SBCC) campaigns require detailed information about the beliefs, motivations, and patterns of the target audiences. The findings from the quantitative and qualitative bushmeat research will be used to develop tailored communications products that will target different bushmeat consumers. USAID Conserve will use these segmented products during Year 2 – 5 of the project implementation to reduce bushmeat demand among urban consumers which in turn will lead to the disruption of the bushmeat trade in Cambodia. #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve

Guess the Khmer idiom: what is an Crustacean that has no liver in the middle of the river/sea? 🦐🦞 🎉 Shrimp flickers their tails to move and create a mini underwater dance party because they are great swimmers with their tiny legs! 🌊🧹 These little critters are also the ocean's clean-up crew, munching on dead plants and animals to keep the seafloor tidy. 🌍💚 Shrimp are the ultimate eco-warriors. Farming shrimp supports sustainable livelihoods for communities, and buying dried shrimp boosts local economies while giving you a tasty, eco-friendly snack and are perfect ingredients for soups and other dishes! 🍤 So next time you enjoy some shrimp, remember you're part of a dance party, clean-up crew, and community supporter all in one bite! ❤️ USAID Conserve is working with our partners to support communities like Boeung Kachhang Community Protected Area, Koh Kachong Community Fisheries, and Peam Krasop Community Fisheries to improve their livelihoods through sustainable fishing and processing. Stay tuned to learn more! #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve #ShrimpFacts #Communities #DriedShrimp

🌿 This past week representatives of USAID Cambodia, USAID Conserve, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and RECOFTC held courtesy meetings with Cambodian government authorities in Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, and Kraite provinces. In each of the four provinces the USAID Conserve project was formally introduced to provincial authorities by USAID Cambodia. During each meeting the USAID Conserve team and its conservation partners provided provincial authorities with an overview of the projects approach to support community-based organizations through direct grants, improved livelihoods, and long-term financing through carbon projects. The USAID Conserve team also briefed provincial authorities on how the project will combat wildlife trafficking through social behavior change communications. Provincial authorities embraced the objectives of USAID Conserve and committed to supporting the project to conserve Cambodia’s natural resources and support local communities. Meeting participants agreed that all parties will share information on USAID Conserve activities and that learning exchanges and dialogue sessions between local authorities and communities should take place over the coming years. #USAIDCambodia #USAIDConserve