The STEWARD program aims to empower communities in West Africa to sustainably manage natural resources through initiatives like promoting conservation agriculture, strengthening forest management, and establishing village savings associations. It operates in two priority zones spanning Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Liberia, focusing on protecting biodiversity in ecosystems like the Outamba-Kilimi National Park and Mount Nimba region. The program also works to harmonize environmental policies across countries and educate communities on sustainable practices through radio programs and other outreach.
The 4th Philippine National Report to the Convention on Biological DiversityNo to mining in Palawan
This is the 4th National Report (4NR) of the Philippines to the CBD. It covers the period from mid-2005 to mid-2008 with updates up to early 2009.
It focuses on the assessment of the country’s progress towards meeting the
2010 biodiversity target of achieving a significant reduction in the current
rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels, consistent
with the strategic plan for the CBD.
The 2010 biodiversity target is also
one of recent targets incorporated in the Millennium Development Goals
(MDG).
Highlights and specific case samples are cited in this Report to give snapshots
of the current status, trends and threats in the following ecosystems based on the thematic programmes of the CBD: forest and mountain, agriculture, inland waters, coastal, marine and island. Moreover, this Report identifies the gaps that should be addressed and some recommended actions for us to be able to meet the 2010 biodiversity target.
Ecosystem Services for Biodiversity Conservation: Study of Corbett India Water Portal
Traditionally, the only market economic values Protected Areas recognised are tourism revenues and income from extractive activities.The difficulty in quantifying many of the economic, social, environmental and cultural values of protected areas lead to their undervaluation in land and resource use decisions
It is often perceived to be more profitable to convert a natural ecosystem than to leave it intact. A study of Corbett National Park shows indirect benefits like carbon storage and direct benefits like tourism.
Forest and tree ecosystem services for adaptation: six storiesCIFOR-ICRAF
Ecosystems such as forests produce services that could have a significant role in reducing human vulnerability to climate variability and change. Using case studies from around the world, this presentation explores six different ways that forests and trees serve in helping humans to adapt.
This presentation was given on 7 September 2012 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju, South Korea, during a session titled 'Building resilience to climate change through ecosystem-based adaptation'. It was also presented on 15 June 2012 at ‘Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: from concept to action’, an event held during Rio+20.
The 4th Philippine National Report to the Convention on Biological DiversityNo to mining in Palawan
This is the 4th National Report (4NR) of the Philippines to the CBD. It covers the period from mid-2005 to mid-2008 with updates up to early 2009.
It focuses on the assessment of the country’s progress towards meeting the
2010 biodiversity target of achieving a significant reduction in the current
rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels, consistent
with the strategic plan for the CBD.
The 2010 biodiversity target is also
one of recent targets incorporated in the Millennium Development Goals
(MDG).
Highlights and specific case samples are cited in this Report to give snapshots
of the current status, trends and threats in the following ecosystems based on the thematic programmes of the CBD: forest and mountain, agriculture, inland waters, coastal, marine and island. Moreover, this Report identifies the gaps that should be addressed and some recommended actions for us to be able to meet the 2010 biodiversity target.
Ecosystem Services for Biodiversity Conservation: Study of Corbett India Water Portal
Traditionally, the only market economic values Protected Areas recognised are tourism revenues and income from extractive activities.The difficulty in quantifying many of the economic, social, environmental and cultural values of protected areas lead to their undervaluation in land and resource use decisions
It is often perceived to be more profitable to convert a natural ecosystem than to leave it intact. A study of Corbett National Park shows indirect benefits like carbon storage and direct benefits like tourism.
Forest and tree ecosystem services for adaptation: six storiesCIFOR-ICRAF
Ecosystems such as forests produce services that could have a significant role in reducing human vulnerability to climate variability and change. Using case studies from around the world, this presentation explores six different ways that forests and trees serve in helping humans to adapt.
This presentation was given on 7 September 2012 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju, South Korea, during a session titled 'Building resilience to climate change through ecosystem-based adaptation'. It was also presented on 15 June 2012 at ‘Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: from concept to action’, an event held during Rio+20.
Ensuring ecosystem integrity in Indian Sundarbansaranyermajhe
Peer Assignment - Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C Warmer World Must be Avoided : This artifact is intended for decision makers in the state of West Bengal, India. There is relatively little knowledge on the status of the Sundarbans ecosystem resilience and biodiversity groups contributing to it. However, the loss of diversity within functional groups may weaken the ability of the system to adapt to climate change impacts and therein impact the dependant community. The ecosystem linkers that control resilience and ecological stability in the Sundarbans should be determined. Decision makers will hardly have any control over extraneous drivers of change such as the climate but can alter present policies and pattern of governance.
Investing in Community-based Resilience of Socio-Ecological Production Landsc...Bioversity International
Presentation by Diana Salvemini, COMDEKS Project Manager (UNDP-GEF).
This was presented during a seminar hosted at Bioversity International on 'The Indicators of Resilience in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)' in January 2014.
Find out more: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/research-portfolio/agricultural-ecosystems/landscapes/
Our Goal: Lasting human well-being by Conservation International, Ricky Nunez. Presentation for Seminar on Environmental Reporting conducted at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City.
Presentation by the Foundation for Ecological Security at “Commons tenure for a common future” Discussion Forum on the first day of the Global Landscapes Forum 2015, in Paris, France alongside COP21. For more information go to: www.landscapes.org.
As an organisation, Wetlands International made big strides
forward in 2011; these will help
us achieve the goals of our new 10-year Strategic Intent (2011-2020). With the seal
of good governance from the Dutch Central Bureau on Fundraising under our belt,
and growing recognition of our distinctive approach and niche, we proudly share with
you some highlights of 2011.
Biodiversity action plan
A biodiversity action plan (BAP) is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As of 2009, 191 countries have ratified the CBD, but only a fraction of these have developed substantive BAP documents.
The principal elements of a BAP typically include: (a) preparing inventories of biological information for selected species or habitats; (b) assessing the conservation status of species within specified ecosystems; (c) creation of targets for conservation and restoration; and (d) establishing budgets, timelines and institutional partnerships for implementing the BAP.
Summary
Pakistan spans a number of the world’s ecological regions with its latitudinal spread and immense variations in altitude. These regions include the coastal mangrove forests of the Arabian Sea as well as some of the highest mountains of the world, where the western Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges meet. This diversity encompasses a variety of habitats that support a rich biodiversity. A number of animals and plants have become endangered due to over-exploitation and loss of natural habitat. Rapid human population growth puts increasing pressure on the country’s natural resource base. Increased poverty has forced rural people to exploit biodiversity at unsustainable rates. Deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, salinity and waterlogging have become major threats to Pakistan’s remaining biodiversity. The continuing loss of forest habitat, with its associated fauna and flora, will have serious implications for the nation’s other natural and agricultural ecosystems. Protected areas have been established for in-situ conservation of biodiversity.
A wide range of laws also exists relating to conservation of various components of biodiversity. The key to protecting the biological diversity of Pakistan is involving local communities and obtaining support from relevant institutions in sustainable use initiatives. The Government of Pakistan recognised the importance of these measures in the preparation of the National Conservation Strategy (1992) and in becoming a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), endorsed by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) in 1999, calls for government agencies, local communities and NGOs to work together as partners in biodiversity conservation.
These are the most critical issues for biodiversity conservation in Pakistan:
The need for associated policy and institutional reforms and institutional strengthening; integration of biodiversity conservation measures into sectoral initiatives; better understanding of all aspects of biodiversity and effective means for ensuring their sustainable use; developing community-based biodiver
Wetland conservation in China and Asia: Protection, management, and restoration.
Presentation given at a wetland conservation workshop in Heilongjiang, China. Prepared in connection with the UNDP CBPF Main Streams of Life (MSL) project, Strengthening the Management Effectiveness of the Protected Area Landscape in the Altai Mountains and Wetlands.
Traditional knowledge in climate smart agriculturejayanta thokdar
Traditional knowledge is unique to a given culture or society which established over time. It is techniques or practices which is well knitted with customs, traditions and beliefs in rural life. Mainly rural people or tribal are main custodian of this traditional knowledge. The traditional knowledge or practices are found to be socially desirable, economically affordable, sustainable, and involve minimum risk to rural farmers and producers. This knowledge is evolved over time periods so it offers a climate resiliency. The knowledge is also based on their belief and customs, so it is location specific and acceptable. As modern science or approaches are not well suited to many rural or remote locations, there integration between these two knowledge may provide better understanding and result. Modern approaches are resource exploitable however it is widely believed that traditional practices try to conserve resources. It provides basis for problem solving strategies for local communities. CSA identifies agricultural strategies suitable to local conditions for sustainable food production under climate change scenario.
Could the SDGs help save wetlands? Can wetlands help achieve the SDGs?Wetlands International
This slide show presents Wetlands International's position on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and wetlands. Wetlands will play a role in achieving at least 7 of the 17 SDGs and are an indispensible link connecting the ecosystems the SDGs seek to protect and restore.
Ensuring ecosystem integrity in Indian Sundarbansaranyermajhe
Peer Assignment - Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C Warmer World Must be Avoided : This artifact is intended for decision makers in the state of West Bengal, India. There is relatively little knowledge on the status of the Sundarbans ecosystem resilience and biodiversity groups contributing to it. However, the loss of diversity within functional groups may weaken the ability of the system to adapt to climate change impacts and therein impact the dependant community. The ecosystem linkers that control resilience and ecological stability in the Sundarbans should be determined. Decision makers will hardly have any control over extraneous drivers of change such as the climate but can alter present policies and pattern of governance.
Investing in Community-based Resilience of Socio-Ecological Production Landsc...Bioversity International
Presentation by Diana Salvemini, COMDEKS Project Manager (UNDP-GEF).
This was presented during a seminar hosted at Bioversity International on 'The Indicators of Resilience in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)' in January 2014.
Find out more: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/research-portfolio/agricultural-ecosystems/landscapes/
Our Goal: Lasting human well-being by Conservation International, Ricky Nunez. Presentation for Seminar on Environmental Reporting conducted at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City.
Presentation by the Foundation for Ecological Security at “Commons tenure for a common future” Discussion Forum on the first day of the Global Landscapes Forum 2015, in Paris, France alongside COP21. For more information go to: www.landscapes.org.
As an organisation, Wetlands International made big strides
forward in 2011; these will help
us achieve the goals of our new 10-year Strategic Intent (2011-2020). With the seal
of good governance from the Dutch Central Bureau on Fundraising under our belt,
and growing recognition of our distinctive approach and niche, we proudly share with
you some highlights of 2011.
Biodiversity action plan
A biodiversity action plan (BAP) is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As of 2009, 191 countries have ratified the CBD, but only a fraction of these have developed substantive BAP documents.
The principal elements of a BAP typically include: (a) preparing inventories of biological information for selected species or habitats; (b) assessing the conservation status of species within specified ecosystems; (c) creation of targets for conservation and restoration; and (d) establishing budgets, timelines and institutional partnerships for implementing the BAP.
Summary
Pakistan spans a number of the world’s ecological regions with its latitudinal spread and immense variations in altitude. These regions include the coastal mangrove forests of the Arabian Sea as well as some of the highest mountains of the world, where the western Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges meet. This diversity encompasses a variety of habitats that support a rich biodiversity. A number of animals and plants have become endangered due to over-exploitation and loss of natural habitat. Rapid human population growth puts increasing pressure on the country’s natural resource base. Increased poverty has forced rural people to exploit biodiversity at unsustainable rates. Deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, salinity and waterlogging have become major threats to Pakistan’s remaining biodiversity. The continuing loss of forest habitat, with its associated fauna and flora, will have serious implications for the nation’s other natural and agricultural ecosystems. Protected areas have been established for in-situ conservation of biodiversity.
A wide range of laws also exists relating to conservation of various components of biodiversity. The key to protecting the biological diversity of Pakistan is involving local communities and obtaining support from relevant institutions in sustainable use initiatives. The Government of Pakistan recognised the importance of these measures in the preparation of the National Conservation Strategy (1992) and in becoming a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), endorsed by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) in 1999, calls for government agencies, local communities and NGOs to work together as partners in biodiversity conservation.
These are the most critical issues for biodiversity conservation in Pakistan:
The need for associated policy and institutional reforms and institutional strengthening; integration of biodiversity conservation measures into sectoral initiatives; better understanding of all aspects of biodiversity and effective means for ensuring their sustainable use; developing community-based biodiver
Wetland conservation in China and Asia: Protection, management, and restoration.
Presentation given at a wetland conservation workshop in Heilongjiang, China. Prepared in connection with the UNDP CBPF Main Streams of Life (MSL) project, Strengthening the Management Effectiveness of the Protected Area Landscape in the Altai Mountains and Wetlands.
Traditional knowledge in climate smart agriculturejayanta thokdar
Traditional knowledge is unique to a given culture or society which established over time. It is techniques or practices which is well knitted with customs, traditions and beliefs in rural life. Mainly rural people or tribal are main custodian of this traditional knowledge. The traditional knowledge or practices are found to be socially desirable, economically affordable, sustainable, and involve minimum risk to rural farmers and producers. This knowledge is evolved over time periods so it offers a climate resiliency. The knowledge is also based on their belief and customs, so it is location specific and acceptable. As modern science or approaches are not well suited to many rural or remote locations, there integration between these two knowledge may provide better understanding and result. Modern approaches are resource exploitable however it is widely believed that traditional practices try to conserve resources. It provides basis for problem solving strategies for local communities. CSA identifies agricultural strategies suitable to local conditions for sustainable food production under climate change scenario.
Could the SDGs help save wetlands? Can wetlands help achieve the SDGs?Wetlands International
This slide show presents Wetlands International's position on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and wetlands. Wetlands will play a role in achieving at least 7 of the 17 SDGs and are an indispensible link connecting the ecosystems the SDGs seek to protect and restore.
Conserving Biodiversity through an IWEco Approach in Caribbean SIDSiweco-project
An introduction to the UN Environment Programme Global Environment Facility-funded Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystem Management (IWEco) Project approach to Biodiversity Conservation in Caribbean Small Island Developing States, June 2020.
Conserving Biodiversity through an Integrated approach to Water, Land and Eco...iweco-project
An introduction to the UN Environment Programme Global Environment Facility-funded Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystem Management (IWEco) Project approach to Biodiversity Conservation in Caribbean Small Island Developing States, June 2020.
Taking the long view USAID, USFS, USGS investment in smallholder and communit...CIFOR-ICRAF
Jordan Kimball, Scott Bode, Nicodème Tchamou, Boubacar Thiam, Diane Russell, Gray Tappan and Dan Whyner with inspiration from Tim Resch and Mike McGahuey
Taking Stock of Smallholder and Community Forestry Montpellier, 24-26 March 2010
Indicators of resilience in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seasca...Bioversity International
Bioversity International scientist Pablo Eyzaguirre presents on using resilience indicators in two landscapes/seascapes in Fiji and Mongolia. This was presented during the 5th IPSI Global Conference held just before the 2014 Convention on Biological Diversity conference in Pyeongchang, Korea.
Find out more about our work on landscapes: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/research-portfolio/agricultural-ecosystems/landscapes/
The Learning Route on Natural Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation best practices, the experience in Kenya; took place between the 6-13 July 2014 in several counties in Kenya.
The objective of this learning route is to scale up through peer to peer learning the Kenyan best multi stakeholders' strategies, tools and practices to fight environmental degradation and to adapt to climate change with the aim of improving the livelihoods of people living in affected communities.
The learning Route has been developed by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) CARE (relief agency) in Kenya and the Cgiar Research Program on Climate Change & Food Security, in partnership with Procasur Africa.
Here we have an overview of the presentation shared with us from our first of the three host case studies that were visited:
Case 1: Mount Kenya East Pilot Project (MKEPP), the Upper Tana Natural Resource Manangement Project (UTANRMP)
Opportunities and constraints in pastoral and agro-pastoral livestock systems...ILRI
Presented by Azaiez Ouled Belgacem, Mounir Louhaichi and Isabelle Baltenweck at the Euro Tier Middle East 2019 Conference, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2-4 September 2019
Preconditions for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction and Prosperity for All t...Environmental Alert (EA)
This is a Joint Civil Society Position on the Environment and Natural Resources sector performance, published ahead of the annual joint sector review for the Water and Environment sector for the financial year 2008/09. It highlights the contributions of the Environment and Natural Resources Civil Society Organizations to the sector. Furthermore, it presents the challenges in the sector and associated recommendations for addressing them.
Poster presented at the African Landscapes Dialogue in Addis Ababa, March 6-9, 2017, on the Enhancing Nutrition Stepping Up Resilience Enterprises (ENSURE) Project of Zimbabwe, a joint effort of CARE, WVI, SNV and SAFIRE. #LandscapesDialogue
Puerto Rico Joint Chief Landscapes Restoration Partnership Initiative Presentation by Southwestern Soil and Water Conservation PR District, NRCS, USFS and USFWS.
This presentation gives an overview of the experiences of Sierra Leone in climate change adaptation planning. This was presented in April 2014 at the NAP-GSP Africa Regional Training Workshop (Anglophone) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This event gathered Government representatives from Ministries of Environment, Planning and Finance from 15 least developed African countries to consider the NAP process, which aims to address the medium to long–term climate change adaptation challenges for Africa.
More information: http://www.undp-alm.org/nap-regional-training-workshops-african-ldcs
Presented by Jerome Mwanzia, Assistant Chief Conservator of Forests for Kenya Forest Service on Discussion Forum 1 at the Global Landscapes Forum Nairobi 2018, on 29-30 August in Nairobi, Kenya
The Nisqually Watershed Stewardship Plan (NWSP) is the guiding document of the Nisqually River Council. The NRC currently works off of the 2011 updated version. The original document is available on the NRC's website: www.nisquallyriver.org.
Planning in the region starts with a vision about what we want to be. It is the aspiration of the Filipinos particularly those from SOCCSKSARGEN Region to have a long-term vision for the region and the country as a whole to become a prosperous, predominantly middle class society where no one is poor. The challenge is how every Filipino can afford to have a “matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay by 2040.”
Photo diary of the St Vincent community working together to protect the mangrove ecosystems that protect them as part of My Island-My Community - www.mediaimpact.org
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdfCheryl Hung
Keynote at DIGIT West Expo, Glasgow on 29 May 2024.
Cheryl Hung, ochery.com
Sr Director, Infrastructure Ecosystem, Arm.
The key trends across hardware, cloud and open-source; exploring how these areas are likely to mature and develop over the short and long-term, and then considering how organisations can position themselves to adapt and thrive.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 3. In this session, we will cover desktop automation along with UI automation.
Topics covered:
UI automation Introduction,
UI automation Sample
Desktop automation flow
Pradeep Chinnala, Senior Consultant Automation Developer @WonderBotz and UiPath MVP
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
JMeter webinar - integration with InfluxDB and GrafanaRTTS
Watch this recorded webinar about real-time monitoring of application performance. See how to integrate Apache JMeter, the open-source leader in performance testing, with InfluxDB, the open-source time-series database, and Grafana, the open-source analytics and visualization application.
In this webinar, we will review the benefits of leveraging InfluxDB and Grafana when executing load tests and demonstrate how these tools are used to visualize performance metrics.
Length: 30 minutes
Session Overview
-------------------------------------------
During this webinar, we will cover the following topics while demonstrating the integrations of JMeter, InfluxDB and Grafana:
- What out-of-the-box solutions are available for real-time monitoring JMeter tests?
- What are the benefits of integrating InfluxDB and Grafana into the load testing stack?
- Which features are provided by Grafana?
- Demonstration of InfluxDB and Grafana using a practice web application
To view the webinar recording, go to:
https://www.rttsweb.com/jmeter-integration-webinar
Securing your Kubernetes cluster_ a step-by-step guide to success !KatiaHIMEUR1
Today, after several years of existence, an extremely active community and an ultra-dynamic ecosystem, Kubernetes has established itself as the de facto standard in container orchestration. Thanks to a wide range of managed services, it has never been so easy to set up a ready-to-use Kubernetes cluster.
However, this ease of use means that the subject of security in Kubernetes is often left for later, or even neglected. This exposes companies to significant risks.
In this talk, I'll show you step-by-step how to secure your Kubernetes cluster for greater peace of mind and reliability.
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf91mobiles
91mobiles recently conducted a Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey in which we asked over 3,000 respondents about the TV they own, aspects they look at on a new TV, and their TV buying preferences.
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesLaura Byrne
Clients don’t know what they don’t know. What web solutions are right for them? How does WordPress come into the picture? How do you make sure you understand scope and timeline? What do you do if sometime changes?
All these questions and more will be explored as we talk about matching clients’ needs with what your agency offers without pulling teeth or pulling your hair out. Practical tips, and strategies for successful relationship building that leads to closing the deal.
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Dev Dives: Train smarter, not harder – active learning and UiPath LLMs for do...UiPathCommunity
💥 Speed, accuracy, and scaling – discover the superpowers of GenAI in action with UiPath Document Understanding and Communications Mining™:
See how to accelerate model training and optimize model performance with active learning
Learn about the latest enhancements to out-of-the-box document processing – with little to no training required
Get an exclusive demo of the new family of UiPath LLMs – GenAI models specialized for processing different types of documents and messages
This is a hands-on session specifically designed for automation developers and AI enthusiasts seeking to enhance their knowledge in leveraging the latest intelligent document processing capabilities offered by UiPath.
Speakers:
👨🏫 Andras Palfi, Senior Product Manager, UiPath
👩🏫 Lenka Dulovicova, Product Program Manager, UiPath
2. Background:
The Sustainable and Thriving Environments for West
African Regional Development (STEWARD) program
is dedicated to empowering communities to adopt and
maintain sustainable livelihoods and natural resource
management to ensure improved health and well-being.
Initiated in 2007, the program is implemented by six
collaborating partners and supported by The United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
United States Forest Service / International Programs
(USFS/IP).
3. Biodiversity
Climate Change
Adaptation
Biodiverse ecosystems
conserved in target
areas
Resilience to projected
adverse effects
of climate change
improved in target areas
Working within four specific targets areas, the
STEWARD program aims to...
Harmonize forest, wildlife & conservation policies
Promote management of natural resources
Develop and promote alternative & sustainable livelihoods
Build capacity & transfer knowledge at all levels
Climate Change
Mitigation
Water, Sanitation
& Hygiene
Greenhouse gas
emissions reduced in
target areas
(WASH) Access to
adequate supplies of
clean water improved in
target areas
4. Addressing Issues of Regional & Global
Significance:
The Upper Guinean Tropical Forest ecosystem is one of
West Africa’s eight major biomes and ranks high globally
for both plant species diversity and endemism. It is believed
that one quarter of the estimated 9,000 species of vascular
plants is endemic.
This forest is now highly degraded, due to the dramatic
encroachment by expanding human activities and
fragmentation that has reduced the forest to approximately
10 percent of its original 1,265,000 sq. km area. What
forest remains is severely threatened by continued use of
unsustainable land use practices, mining and other
pressures.
5. Priority Zone 1:
Sierra Leone & Guinea (Outamba-Kilimi
National Park, Madina Oula, Soya &
Oure Kaba sub prefectures)
Priority Zone 2:
Guinea, Ivory Coast & Liberia
(Mount Nimba & East Nimba
Nature Preserve)
Transboundary Teamwork:
The Upper Guinean Tropical Forest spans across four
countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast. In
order to ensure the resilience of both the ecosystem and
the residents, transboundary collaboration is crucial.
6. Priority Zone 1:
Sierra Leone & Guinea
The Outamba-Kilimi Park is located at the northern
border of Sierra Leone. With a diverse landscape,
this park is home to large numbers of fauna and
flora, supporting at least nine species of primates,
220 species of birds, and a sampling of large
mammals such as the leopard and forest elephant.
To provide for their livelihoods and income needs,
many people in the region have resorted to
unsustainable, and sometimes illegal, practices
such as poaching, bushmeat trade and logging.
Unsustainable agricultural practices threaten the
natural environment as well as the longer term
livelihoods of the people.
7. The STEWARD program, through its implementing
partners, CARE, Bioclimate & Thomson Reuters:
Promotes conservation agriculture & best practices
Strengthens forest management of existing forests &
establishes new ones
Develops sustainable value chains for selected
non-timber forest products
Establishes and supports Village Savings & Loan
Associations to promote the development of
alternative livelihoods
Trains communities in monitoring of biodiversity &
carbon stocks
Quantifies current carbon stocks in the project area
Trains local institutions on water catchment
management & forest restoration around water points
Builds capacity for alternative livelihoods, for example
beekeeping
Trains community members in property rights mapping
& documentation
8. Priority Zone 2:
Guinea, Ivory Coast & Liberia
Rising above the savannahs and covered in dense
forests, Mount Nimba (and its surrounding
mountains) contains some of the greatest
biodiversity in the West African region due to
its unique geographical and climatic location.
This area is also rich in iron ore and has
several large mining operations as a result.
Poaching, unsustainable agricultural
practices, bush fires, as well as overhunting of
certain species for both commercial and subsistence use, threaten the very existence of
this important ecosystem and carbon sink.
9. The STEWARD program, through its implementing
partners, AUDER, FFI & Thomson Reuters:
Promotes combined rice/fish production through the
development & improvement of fish ponds
Promotes agro-forestry through training & provision of planting
material from villages nurseries
Strengthens forest management through support for forest
management committees
Trains communities in property rights mapping and documentation
Helps the governments of Liberia, Guinea & Cote d’Ivoire in the
joint management & development of the Nimba mountains through
a Tripartite Platform for its transboundary governance
Region-Wide Initiatives
Regional Policies
Harmonizing and improving policy and legal frameworks
for natural resources management, biodiversity
conservation and climate change within the Mano River
Union (MRU) Member States.
Communications for Development
Increasing knowledge and changing attitudes and
behaviors regarding natural resource management through
a comprehensive Communications for Behavior Change
program, implemented by STEWARD program partner, PCI
Media Impact.
10. Planned Activities:
Conduct a comprehensive review of regional policies and
legislation with respect to natural resources management,
biodiversity conservation & climate change & develop a
clear road map for their harmonization & improvement
Assist in the development & implementation of forest
management plans on community lands to promote
biodiversity conservation
Improve the capacity of forest-dependent communities &
institutions to mitigate & adapt to the adverse effects of
climate change
Promote sustainable livelihoods in communities adjacent
to forests & within buffer zones around protected areas
11. Develop climate-resilient Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
(WASH) systems & services for rural populations
Monitor program impact on land use & land cover change
using remote sensing and satellite image analyses
Develop viable Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES)
models including carbon financing
Develop viable & sustainable Non-Timber Forest
Products value chains
Launch a strategic communications program
incorporating a 52-episode Entertainment-Education
radio drama (in French, Krio, Susu & Liberian English),
call-in shows and community mobilization campaigns
12. All activities under the STEWARD program are
coordinated by the USFS/IP through their
program office in Freetown and are supported
by USAID/West Africa, implementing
partners, national governments, and other
relevant stakeholders.
For more information:
stewardprogram.org
info@stewardprogram.com