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Haiti

Caracol Bay

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Conservation and community benefit: Protection of biodiversity through education and training, sustainable livelihood initiatives, community-based park ranger training, and mangrove reforestation/rehabilitation

Date Approved: 02.2015

Mangroves

This project protects mangroves, which trap more CO2 than any other kind of forest and as a result, slow global warming.

Only two percent of Haiti is still forested. Trying to turn the tide after decades of deforestation, the government has banned construction, fishing, and hunting in all coastal mangrove forests. Enforcement, however, is difficult. Caracol Bay, in northeastern Haiti, contains Haiti’s second largest mangrove forest and extensive coral reef and seagrass beds. The Haitian government recognizes it as an area of high ecological importance and has designated it as a Marine Managed Area, the Park National de Trois Baies. Local people, however, subsist primarily by fishing, producing salt, and cutting mangroves for firewood and charcoal production. These activities degrade the environment and reduce the quality of life.

FoProBiM is the only Haiti-based NGO dedicated to the protection and management of Haiti’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Seacology is granting it funds for environmental education and sustainable livelihood initiatives. Classes and field activities, aimed at community groups (especially of women) and schoolchildren, will encourage sound management of natural resources. They will also promote livelihood options such as beekeeping, mangrove nurseries, open-ocean mariculture, and ecotourism. A community park ranger program will train anyone wishing to participate, with a goal of identifying four new park rangers. The grant will also support mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation. Ultimately, 100,000 seedlings will be planted in areas with the greatest need and probability of success.

Project Updates

May 2016

Hundreds of people, including local charcoal producers, tourism workers, fishers, farmers, women’s groups, and employees of the ministry of agriculture and environment, have attended educational activities on sustainable livelihoods such as apiculture and ecotourism. From two new mangrove nurseries, 75,000 seedlings have been planted and 30 beehives established. Meetings have also been held to encourage the establishment of Marine Managed Areas in Haiti. Finally, more than 120 people have participated in mangrove reforestation efforts on 45 acres in Bord de Mer Limonade and Caracol.

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January 2016

The nurseries now contain 35,000 seedlings, and 25 beehives have been established. More than 300 people have attended educational meetings about Haiti’s marine managed areas. In Bord de Mer Limonade and Caracol, 70 people have participated in mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation activities.

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May 2015

Two nurseries have been established—one for mangroves, one for fruit trees—and now contain 24,000 seedlings. Ten beehives have been set up as part of the development of mangrove-linked apiculture. Four people have been selected to receive training as park rangers, and meetings have been held to educate local residents and other stakeholders about Haiti’s system of marine managed areas.

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