Golden-crowned sifakas can be found in one part of the SAVA region. These beautiful sifakas are critically endangered, due to the loss of their habitat.

In Madagascar, spring has sprung. As we shake off the cold, we reflect on the successes of our last few months. We have been busy with projects involving reforestation, agroecology, and women’s health. Enjoy the latest updates from the Lemur Center’s initiatives in Madagascar, and consider supporting our efforts!

With the help of more than 1,500 motivated local conservationists, 90 acres were planted with 40,000 trees since January. Planting is just the beginning of the work, as we continue to monitor the plants to make sure they are thriving. About 30-50% of the 400,000 trees planted since 2021 are flourishing.

Mango trees planted in 2021 are growing strong!

Surveys of over 70 reforestation sites reveal that the key differences between projects stem from their objectives: some focus on wood production while others aim for conservation. Choosing which trees to plant and implementing policies for long-term management is key to reforestation planning.

Andranotsara is a region where communities have been working on restoring the forest since 1950. The name means “the place of good water.” 

Last month, more than 200 new participants from 15 communities were trained in chicken husbandry. We have now trained more than 1,000 people! The training program provides participants with chickens, tools, and chicken feed to get them started. They have an opportunity to learn and practice new techniques for raising the chickens. 

Over 400 farmers received chickens, tools, and seeds as a reward for completing their training.

Participants have been harvesting root crops planted last year, like cassava and giant yams, and getting great results – 15-25 kilos each for a single plant, and some individuals have more than 300 plants.

Giant yams earn their name and are bigger than a toddler! (Photo used with permission from parents.)

Vanilla! We have a demonstration vanilla field where we train farmers in best practices to produce high-quality, disease-resistant varieties of the plants to distribute to farmers. One thousand cuttings were given to more than 100 participants who have been practicing new techniques in vanilla cultivation.

Vanilla is an orchid that grows like vines and can be reproduced from cuttings

We are helping communities create project management committees to ensure community ownership and governance. More than 200 participants from ten different communities engaged in workshops on leadership, exchanging knowledge, drafting roles and responsibilities, holding democratic elections, and submitting applications for legal recognition. The DLC is committed to empowering communities to be the long-term stewards!

Hosting knowledge exchange workshops to develop shared understanding of objectives, roles, and responsibilities.

High-value seeds for warm weather crops were distributed to participants, such as corn, sorghum, beans, peanuts, and coffee trees (arabica variety).

Two hundred women in two communities received free health services provided by our mobile clinic. Fifty of them also participated in soap making demonstrations and cooking classes. Basic health equipment was distributed to collaborating rural health clinics for their doctors and nurses who serve thousands in their communities.

We are at 83% of an important goal for our new and very special endowment fund honoring the careers and impact of Charles Welch and Andrea Katz. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this! Read the Welch and Katz Fund Update and consider making a year end gift toward the Welch and Katz Fund or this year's conservation budget through our Madagascar Programs Fund. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Paisley, DLC Development Director at mary.paisley@duke.edu. 

We are grateful to our dedicated network of Lemur Center supporters. If you'd like to make a gift to our Madagascar Programs, please click below.

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