USAID Conserve’s Post

Watch Climate Action and EcoSystem Restoration in practice. Airing from tomorrow is the heart-warming and uplifting documentary that explores the largest REDD+ project in Africa by hectares and the largest in the world by quantified social impact in the magnificent Luangwa Valley in Zambia: The Luangwa Community Forests Project. The Luangwa Community Forests Project partners with 17 Chiefdoms across 1.2 million hectares to protects its forests, biodiversity, and livelihoods. The Luangwa Lower Zambezi Ecosystem is one the greatest wildlife strongholds remaining on earth; home to African wild dogs, elephants, leopards, and lions. Details for where and when to watch are in the attached BCP article. #carbonoffsets #ClimateAction #EcosystemRestoration #NatureBasedSolutions

📢 WHICH ROAD FOR KENYA? 🇰🇪 The Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru road will slice through a staggering 36.78 km of the Aberdares ecosystem, endangering our precious forests, wildlife, and water catchment areas. In stark contrast, the Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru alternative route impacts only 3.98 km of the ecosystem, preserving critical habitats while still delivering economic benefits. The choice is clear: 🌍 Environmental Impact: The Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru route threatens 255 acres of natural vegetation, including montane forests and bamboo, putting endangered wildlife at risk. The alternative route preserves the ecosystem, keeping the Aberdares intact for future generations. 🚧 Community Well-being: The Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru alternative supports local communities by providing better access to markets without sacrificing the environment. It avoids the heavy traffic, accidents, and wildlife collisions expected on the Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru proposed route. 💰 Cost Efficiency: With a lower construction cost, the Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru alternative offers a more economically viable solution, channeling funds to where they’re needed most. We must advocate for progress that respects both our people and our planet. Let’s push for the Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru alternative route and protect the Aberdares from irreversible damage. 📢 Join us in saying NO to the destruction of our natural heritage and YES to sustainable development! #SupportAberdareRoadAlternative #SaveTheAberdares #CancelNEMALicence #AberdareYetu #SustainableDevelopment

🌍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐠 Meet Moo Deng, the playful pygmy hippo from Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand. She’s become an internet sensation, but her species faces a serious threat. 🦛💚 Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa’s forests and swamps. Unlike their larger cousins, they’re nocturnal and reclusive. Sadly, only 2,000-2,500 remain in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss from logging and mining. 📉 Poaching and Habitat Loss: A Dual Threat In regions like Liberia, poaching is driven by poverty, and laws are hard to enforce. Deforestation for wood and minerals further shrinks their habitat, pushing pygmy hippos closer to extinction. 💬 What Can Be Done? • Conservation efforts: Protect critical habitats through local and global cooperation. • Alternative livelihoods: Provide economic alternatives to poaching. • Sustainable resource management: Balance development with habitat protection. Moo Deng’s story highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices to save endangered species. 🌍💡 #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #Sustainability #WildlifeProtection #RapidAsia #ThematicAreas #SocialResearch #InternationalResearch

OUT NOW: Flagship report details the dazzling diversity of Mekong's Forgotten Fishes 🐟 - highlighting their importance to communities, economies & ecosystems. And how quickly they are disappearing. Produced by 26 local and international organizations, including Conservation International, the first-of-its-kind report celebrates at least 1,148 fish species in the #Mekong, making it the third most biodiverse river on Earth. It outlines the scale and importance of the Mekong's inland fishery—the largest on the planet. It produces 15% of the world's annual inland fish catch, generates US$11 billion per year, and supports the food security and livelihoods of over 40 million people. The Mekong's fishes are also central to the health of the entire river system and the survival of countless species, including the last 89 river #dolphins. Yet, these extraordinary fish continue to be undervalued and overlooked, and an estimated 19% are already facing #extinction. At this rate, we will lose them all, with devastating consequences for communities, economies, and ecosystems.  But it is not all doom and gloom. The report shows a path to a brighter future as long as we act now. Communities have proven solutions. Countries can join the Freshwater Challenge and implement an Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity. Together, we can safeguard the future of the Mekong and its fish - and all the people who depend on them. #Conservation #FoodSecurity #SustainableFishing https://lnkd.in/gQfmnV_e

Over 4,000 Trees Planted in Test Phase of Eco Balance Nkambe River Revival Project The fight for Nkambe's river has taken a massive leap forward! Ecological Balance Cameroon, alongside the Nkambe council, and the dedicated Ngwayu community, have successfully completed the first phase of a test tree planting activity. This marks a significant milestone in the Nkambe River Revival Project, bringing hope for the region's vital water source. Over 4,000 trees of diverse species have been planted across 1,575 square meters at the Ngwayu water catchment area, utilizing the innovative Miyawaki method of reforestation. This method, renowned for fostering rapid growth, vibrant biodiversity, and improved soil health, holds immense promise for the project's success. This initial planting serves a dual purpose: testing the ideal tree species for the local environment and showcasing the power of the Miyawaki method. Together with communities, we are rewriting the narrative for Nkambe's environment. Let us watch Nkambe's water source flourish once again! Read more about our works here: ecobalancecameroon.org SUGi #NkambeRiverRevival #MiyawakiMethod #EcologicalBalanceCameroon #Cameroon #TreePlanting #Sustainability #HealthyCommunities #Communities #CommunityEngagement #watersecurity #trees #communityengagement #sustainability #environment #EnvironmentalSustainability #forest

I came across this brilliant visual explanation of how Magrove forests protect coastlines from wave erosion (previous post). It reminded of the mangrove forests along the coast of Lamu and Manda island in Kenya. You can hear our guide tell us how Mangrove plants and propagates itself. Subhan’Allah. Local knowledge and expertise is key in maintaining sustainable eco systems. Educating ourselves about natural habitats and defense mechanisms would be far more beneficial than designing solutions to solve our man made problems. #mangroverestoration #mangroves #mongroveforest #kenya #lamu

Happy Madaraka Day! 🎉 In celebration of this significant day, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new project aimed at enhancing our environmental resilience, We will soon start, probably in July, to make seedlings of nearly 10 species of trees after mastering aloes for nearly 3 years. These trees will be sold to whoever wants to be part of positive change and help our government in the ambitious plans of planting millions of trees. We picked this range of tree species known for their valuable Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their ability to thrive in arid and semi-arid lands (aside from bamboo... the odd one out), which is where tree planting is more needed (together with mangroves in coast, we'll go there too eventually..). These trees shall support biodiversity, create shambas (like castor) and provide essential resources for local communities with their products when mature. Our chosen species include: 1. Baobab 2. Croton 3. Tamarind 4. Castor 5. Bamboo 6. Boswellia (Frankincense) 7. Commiphora (Sweet Myrrh) 8. Moringa 9. Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic) Join us in this green initiative to foster sustainable development, enhance local economies, and create a healthier environment for future generations. Let's make a lasting impact together! 🌳✨ "The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second best is now. " #juabyagar#agarlimited#madarakaday#greeninitiative #sustainability#conservation#communitygrowth #biodiversity #empowerment #treeplantingkenya

Among our primate cousins, orangutans are some of the smartest species, but they cannot outsmart the destruction of their habitat. Palm oil impact, habitat destruction and the Illegal Wildlife Trade are only some of the reasons why orangutans are critically endangered primates. In Indonesian, "orangutan" means "forest person"—a nod to their striking human-like traits and their deep connection to the dense jungles of Southeast Asia. On this World Orangutan Day, we reflect on the causes behind why orangutans are endangered, and what we can do to help them. All is not lost yet and over 1500 orangutans have been rescued and rehabilitated in the past decade. Community-led conservation programs in particular are turning the tide for orangutans, that is why at Pelorus Foundation we support the local, community-based project Gula Gula food forest in Indonesia, which is promoting sustainable agroforestry and protecting habitats while fightitng poverty. Click on the link in our below to find out how we support enviromental conservation in South East Asia. https://lnkd.in/dpwBRmFP #orangutan #orangutans #monkey #wildlife #WorldOrangutanDay Media Credit: Phat Whelen

🐟 Discover how local communities are leading the charge to revive the #Mekong River, the world's largest inland fishery! The Mekong holds about 1,200 species of #fish and boasts the world’s largest inland fishery, which accounts for over 15 per cent of the entire global inland fish catch, generates over US$11 billion annually, and is central to the food security and livelihoods of over 40 million people across the basin. However, this mighty river ecosystem is increasingly under threat. Good news is...collective action is being taken to protect the Mekong! In this devex article, Yanyong Sricharoen, Head of the #Freshwater Unit from @WWF-Thailand, highlights the importance of fish conservation zones in boosting fish populations. Regional collaboration among public, private, and government sectors through projects such as WWF's Mekong for the Future also help local communities and civil society organizations to more sustainably manage this vital ecosystem. 🌍💧 #Climate #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Rivers #Biodiversity