DLC Conservation Update, May '24
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The golden crowned sifaka is endangered and only found in the dry forests of the SAVA
Photo: James Herrera
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This year, the DLC-SAVA Conservation program is launching several new initiatives while continuing our momentum and success in reforestation and sustainable agriculture. As novel opportunities arise, we are quick to assess their value toward our project goals and we're prepared to adapt and change our plans as needed. We're excited for the new directions our projects take us we evolve and learn.
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New Initiative Launched: Bamboo Forestry and Sustainable Charcoal
Training communities how to propagate, plant, and, manage bamboo is one of our newest initiatives in collaboration with CMBART, a non-governmental organization (NGO) from the capital of Madagascar and with the involvement of three new interns who graduated from the regional university. We also created a high-efficiency charcoal kiln to produce both conventional and bamboo charcoal. Bamboo is used for diverse functions and the team is joined weekly by volunteers from communities who are inspired to restore bamboo and create high-quality charcoal sustainably.
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Harvesting bamboo to create charcoal
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The new kiln being fire-dried
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Environmental Education Re-engagement and Evaluation Initiatives
Evaluations are underway: our educators are revisiting the schools that participated in our lessons in the past three years to measure how well students retained their knowledge and if their attitudes about the environment changed. The evaluation includes fun activities with prizes that also gauge students’ retained knowledge and interest in lemurs. Through focus groups with students, parents, and teachers, and observations at the school, we are measuring if our program has been successful.
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Students eager to share their knowledge about lemurs, with the chance to win a prize.
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So far, the evaluations at ten schools reveal that students remember their lessons – some of them even two years later! Parents and teachers are also impressed at the knowledge and change in attitude they saw in their children as a result of the lessons.
"There was an impact [of the lessons], we won't hunt anymore, we won't burn the hillsides, we'll tell others they shouldn't cut down the forest," said one student in a focus group evaluation.
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The 2024 Agroecology Internship Program Launched with 8 New Interns
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Forty applicants were interviewed and ten were selected for a one-week intensive training retreat at the New Generation School Garden (NGSG). Eight finalists were selected for three internship projects, beginning in February.
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Interns receive an introduction to the New Generation School Garden
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Peer-to-peer exchange on best practices in agriculture and animal husbandry
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One team is at the NGSG for three months to diversify and increase production. Another team is launching the bamboo forestry and sustainable charcoal initiative. The third team is training in clove and coffee agroforestry at three rural villages. Interns will be evaluated and we trust that the best will start long-term collaborations with DLC.
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Learning by doing—the interns gain hands-on experience in diverse livelihood strategies, such as fish farming, shown here
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Successful Fire Management Strategy in Place at NGSG
In September ‘23, we updated you that the NGSG was under threat from fires in surrounding fields. Thanks to your support, we implemented three successful strategies.
- Firebreaks cleared all around the property
- Meetings with the neighbors about fire management and creation of a fire committee
- Outreach campaign including focus-group meetings, radio announcements, TV news spots, posters, and more
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Diversifying Incomes Through Value-Added Products
The NGSG is pursuing new ventures for financial sustainability. We're creating drying racks to produce dried fruits and transform root crops into flour, and we’re making chips and cooking oil from local produce. This will allow the farmers in our network to conserve their produce and earn a higher income from their farms through marketing unique products
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Dried breadfruits to transform into flour
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Restoration and Reforestation
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Since January, almost 50,000 trees were planted with shade structures for sun protection and were composted, mulched, and watered to get them through the surprisingly dry and unbearably hot conditions. We’ve already restocked our tree nurseries with more seedlings than ever and are planning to plant another 50,000 trees in June.
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Tree Planting with Primary School Students
Every year, schools celebrate a day for students to complete projects to improve the school yards. We supported schools in planting over 200 fruit trees so their students can enjoy the fruit in the future.
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Students at Belaoka planted 100 orange, lime, and other fruit trees in their school yard
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Tree Planting with High School Students
Almost 2,000 trees were planted by 150 members of Sambava high school environmental club at NGSG. This high school club has been one of our most passionate volunteer groups and is always ready to participate in our environmental activities.
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Recovering from the Impact of Cyclone Gamane
The SAVA region is vulnerable to cyclones and on April 3rd, Cyclone Gamane caused significant flooding, displacing 22,000 people and killing 18 in northern Madagascar. The SAVA region endured torrential and sustained heavy rain, resulting in flooding of communities and farms.
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The agroecology team creates a net around a participant's fish pond to save their fish from being lost.
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Sambava and Antalaha were severely flooded, houses were damaged, and the farmers in our network had their fields ruined. With support from the DLC, our agroecology teams were working on the ground, providing seeds, tools, and hands-on assistance to restart their farms.
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An Inspiring Mission to the Loky-Manambato and Bobangira Protected Areas
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The Daraina sportive lemur is a rare find at night
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DLC-SAVA Program Coordinator James Herrera visited the reserves and neighboring communities to determine conservation actions needed. Amazing observations of the golden crowned sifaka and aye-aye made the trip unforgettable, as did the growing gold mining.
These areas are unique because they preserve dry deciduous and littoral forests, which are especially threatened and unique in the SAVA region.
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