World Ocean Day’s Post

Today, on World Mangroves Day 2024, we at ECOP Africa are taking a moment to recognize the immense value and importance of mangrove ecosystems. These invaluable wetland habitats offer a wide array of essential ecosystem services for biodiversity and coastal protection. Mangroves are not only vital for the diverse range of species that call them home, but they also play a crucial role in supporting the traditional ways of life and cultural practices of communities living near and dependent on these coastal ecosystems. Mangroves provide essential resources like fishing grounds, protection against climate change impacts like storm surges and coastal erosion, and more. However, mangroves continue to face significant threats, including deforestation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. To better understand the current state of mangroves, we leveraged the data and web application freely provided by the Global Mangrove Watch. This has allowed us to thoroughly examine the significance, value, threats, and conservation status of Liberia's mangrove forests. Moving forward, we are committed to advocating for the protection and sustainable management of these irreplaceable ecosystems. By raising awareness and collaborating with local communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders, we hope to ensure a future where mangroves continue to thrive and provide their vital benefits for generations to come. If you are interested to know more read the ECOP Liberia's mangrove report📝 https://lnkd.in/dZTFsCcK Early Career Ocean Professionals UN Ocean Decade #WorldMangrovesDay #Mangroves #EcosystemServices #CoastalProtection #Biodiversity #ECOP_Africa

Please take a read of the report by Gardawheh et al. on the state of Mangrove Ecosystems in Liberia, in observance of World Mangroves Day. Happy world Mangroves Day!

‘By 2030, the Chebera Churchura National Park will be recognized as one of Africa’s top protected areas through the effective and collaborative management of its natural and cultural heritage, and the sustained flow of benefits to affected communities at all levels.’ That is a vision statement jointly formulated by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), wolaita sodo university, the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, and other key actors working on the conservation of the national park. In line with this vision, the GIZ-implemented project Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Ethiopia: Biodiversity supported the development of the park's General Management Plan(GMP). The GMP sets out operational goals, guiding infrastructure development and maintenance plans, ensuring sustained benefits to local communities, developing cultural heritage features, and enhancing income generation opportunities. By following the GMP, the park can address management infrastructure needs, protect cultural heritage features, and generate income effectively. Find the plan below👇 Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH #JourneyOfChange #biodiversity #sustainability #naturalresources

The Water Security Group @ IIASA will lead Work Package 2, focusing on Modelling and Digital Twin Demonstrations - This involves applying advanced modeling techniques in lake case studies to inform socio-economic transitions and address climate change impacts. #WaterSecurity #ClimateChange #DigitalTwin #ImpactAssessment

🌊 Why investment in ocean leaders from the Global South is a must 🌍      Our project partner Aqua-Farms Organization - AFO, has published an insightful article on its Tanzania Dive Labs initiative, which plays a crucial role in developing future leaders committed to ocean conservation. 🪸     The programme has certified over 25 individuals as scuba divers, from Open Water to Divemaster levels, addressing the systemic barriers African marine scientists face in education, as well as incorporating storytelling to amplify and inspire marine conservation efforts. 🤿     ORRAA works with AFO to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable coastal communities by channeling investment into impactful solutions, including establishing a voluntary carbon market to restore mangroves and developing micro credit and savings schemes to upgrade to tubular nets for seaweed farming.    Why is this important?     As Nancy Iraba, AFO’s Underwater Program Lead, explains, “Countries in the Global South are often at the frontline of climate change and environmental degradation, making it imperative for local communities to be actively involved in conservation efforts. Empowering young leaders from these regions ensures that those most affected by environmental challenges have the skills and agency to address them.”     📖 Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/1eEO50TBoZI      #OceanLeaders #TanzaniaDiveLabs #GlobalSouth #ORRAA #AFO #CoastalCommunities

South Africa, as one of only 17 megadiverse countries on the planet, must play a pivotal role in achieving and exceeding the 30x30 target at a national and global level by scaling up our efforts to secure critical land and marine resources under conservation management.

The bad news came through at their weekly team meeting: a new decree had allocated 60,000 ha of Campo Ma’an forest in southwest Cameroon to CAMVERT, an agro-industrial giant producing palm oil. The Green Development Advocates (GDA) team sprang into action. This is the story of how a small but mighty Cameroonian organisation supported its community to take on CAMVERT and win, protecting 20,000 ha of this precious forest and its people. Thought to be one of few regions that persisted as a tropical rainforest through the Ice Age, Campo Ma'an National Park hosts an incredible array of life. Some species are found nowhere else on Earth, and several are on the IUCN Red List. The giant pangolin, the African elephant, the lowland gorilla, the chimpanzee, the buffalo, the panther, and the mandrill – the strikingly colourful primate pictured – all fall into the latter category. Campo Ma’an is also home to a large local population who make their living from this protected area. For the Indigenous Bagyeli community, the forest is their resource. With this extraordinary biodiversity and heritage on the line, GDA gathered research, sounded the media alarm to reveal the true cost of 'development' plans, and mobilised the community to fight for their rights. This local action resulted in a major victory, proving the 'big guys' don't always win! Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/dPqAwwqf #indigenousrights #communityimpact #advocacymatters

🚀 OUT NOW: Our New Strategy Has Launched! 🌟  "I am delighted to share our bold new partnership strategy aimed at conserving species in Southeast Asia. In the face of unprecedented challenges, this strategy symbolises our commitment to preserving the diverse ecosystems of this region through the strength of the Partnership. Together, let us embark on this journey to safeguard the precious species that call Southeast Asia home."  Nerissa Chao, ASAP Director  The strategy outlines four key goals that ASAP will undertake to support the Partnership and its conservation work in the region:  🌿 Amplifying funding and knowledge  🌿 Investing in people  🌿 Strengthening local organisations  🌿 Fostering a dynamic network This strategy represents a transformative investment in both individuals and organisations dedicated to protecting Southeast Asia's most threatened species. With over 200 organisations and counting, we are committed to creating a future where threatened wildlife thrives alongside people and communities. "Being part of the ASAP network has been incredibly beneficial. Not only have we received financial assistance, but the training provided has exceeded our expectations, aiming to strengthen our institution’s capacity toward sustainable financial independence." - Drh I Gede Nyoman Bayu Wirayu, Friends of National Park Foundation, ASAP Partner. ASAP will continue to build partnerships with donor institutions to advance our programmes and channel greater investments towards individuals and organisations at the forefront of species conservation in Southeast Asia. "Investing in the people who will save species" is available for download here: https://lnkd.in/gkGhSmq3

Reimagining Conservation | Theme 3 💭🌱 Weaving knowledge systems Weaving knowledge systems is the third key theme which came to light at the inaugural Reimagining Conservation Forum – Working together for Healthy Country, held in Meanjin / Brisbane on Yuggerah and Turrbal Country in 2022. Western scientific methods and models are still given priority when it comes to conservation in Australia, with many non-Indigenous people believing that Indigenous knowledge needs to be ‘validated’ by western science. The appropriation of Indigenous knowledge and its use without permission or proper protocols raises serious concerns about the conduct of research within Australian conservation. It's time for: • Indigenous knowledge and data to be protected, respected and cared for • The evidence produced through cultural knowledge to be respected for its own integrity and principles • The term ‘Indigenous science’ being used to recognise cultural ways of observing, testing and producing evidence • 60,000 years of Indigenous knowledge to be trusted, and for Indigenous science given equal status to that of western science Read more about how we can begin weaving knowledge systems in the full Reimagining Conservation Report here ➡️🔗https://bit.ly/3vl8Ota We can’t wait to lead the next Reimagining Conservation Forum this August 19—22 on Djabugay country. Registrations opening soon! 📃🖊 --- The 2022 Reimagining Conservation Forum was jointly convened by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd, Australian Committee for IUCN Inc, and Protected Areas Collaboration for Learning & Research. #LookingAfterCountry #AustralianConservation #NAILSMA #IndigenousKnowledge #IndigenousPeople #FirstNationsKnowledge

The Rufford Foundation learning event! Rufford is an #ngo for support conservation projects worldwide. Its action is very important for thinking in conservation strategies for all ecosystems. I am very happy because this organization has been support the first step to starting @observatoriodomangue in 2019 in order to identify ways to Peruvian mangrove conservation and recently, I finished the second part of this project in Brazilian mangroves in the northeast of Pará. #conservation #mangroves #manglares #manguezaisamazônicos