The inventory of natural forests and plantations was based on the participatory mapping. It covered the following steps:

1. Training of forest inventory teams

2. Definition of forest types and layers (stratification): analysis and interpretation of RapidEye 2013-2014 satellite images (resolution of 5 m x 5 m)

3. Implementation of pre-inventory: Assessment of results from national forest inventory, preparation of field work, determination of variation coefficient and statistical method, measurement of 20 circular plots. Inventory of main forest stand with a 20 m radius for samples ≥ 10 cm in diameter and ≥ 1.30 m height; inventory of forest undergrowth in circular plots with 4 m radius on trees and shrubs samples with a diameter between 5 and 10 cm open and a height ≥ 1.30 m

4. Implementation of inventory: preparation of field work, measurement of 173 circular plots with same sample plot features as during pre-inventory and with the support of local cartographers.  

5. Data processing at regional management level with support from the inventory database management unit

6. Zonation and identification of forest landscape restoration options
 

Once the creative process has started, ideas have turned into plans, and there are high expectations about what can be achieved, the Association faced the dilemma of fast profiting, by catching all product available (altought at lower price per unit), or long term profiting, establishing a catch-limit in order to ensure the availability of high quality product (better valued, and allowing black shell population to meet its life cycle).
Since the second alternative seemed more rational for members, the had to design the tool to manage the catch limit. The solution was to set the catch-size 2 millimeters above the legal limit to catch, and to adopt some several regulations into their rules of procedure. That is, to pass from some crazy ideas to a disciplinated implementation with strong sanctions ( monetary and suspension of the fishing rights of the members) aprooved by the total of the members.

Despite self-clousures are well known measures in order to preserve a biological resource, it has never been applied by the Association or the black shell resource in the area. Creative sessions have allowed members to propose ideas (self-clousures) to the plenary, and the creative participation on analyzing and discussing its benefits and consequences have helped to develop complementary measures (like zonification and a fattening area), obtaining a more robust and fruitful plan.

Association Las Huacas has developed a Cooperative networking with different allies from private and public sectors. Partnership agreement with GEOGES C.Ltda. (environmental consultancy agency), wich has been interested into cooperate with ancient populations in order to preserve the culture and traditions, as well as to recover the optimal conditions for mangrove development and conservation.
The agreement brings to the association the technical capabilities of the Agency, in order to get the assistance to design- implement- and follow up of the management plan. The agreement has also served as a framework for cooperation at different levels – community, asociation – in order to enforce the organizational aspects of both institutions, as well as to propose and to develop alternative initiatives of production or self-employment, and the critical analysis of thrird parties cooperation initiatives.

Scientists, who have been monitoring the area before it was closed, estimate a 500% increase in biomass within the area since the closure. The area, previously covered with sea urchins, is now a thriving biodiversity hotspot with the balance restored. The elders report new species in the MPA that have not been seen in living memory. The coral, previously destroyed by human feet, has recovered quickly and the lagoon area is now known as one of the best snorkelling destinations on the Kenyan coast. Local and international students come and learn in our living marine classroom. Turtles feed on the seagrass beds undisturbed, and the number of nests has increased significantly. The area has returned from being a marine desert to a marine paradise and a critical model globally that shows how a poor community can help conserve nature and benefit from it too. Bigger and better catches outside the MPA has ensured support for the permanent closure.

To empower the people's organisations, government, NGOs and private entities shard their expertise and provided them technical support. The LGU, government agencies and NGOs trained them to be able to manage their own organisations, practice community based management, and the technical skills on how to manage tourism activities.  SIKAT, an NGO with significant years of experience in community-based coastal resource management program implementation also provided them with training on basic ecology and training and technical support in Marine Protected Area Management.

Community recognition that action was needed to improve dwindling fish stocks was followed by the identification of various stakeholders to help us achieve our goals. Communication, outreach and awareness building programmes were set up and a visit to a similar project in Tanzania went ahead in 2004, and encouraged the community to use local marine resources sustainably.

A democratic decision to close an agreed lagoon area was agreed. Legal and policy frameworks were put in place, and the first LMMA in Kenya was approved in 2006 under the National Environmental Management Authority. Following this, a collaborative governance model has emerged under Beach Management Units (BMU's), where fishers and government work together towards sustainable fishing and improved livelihoods. In setting up the MPA, we went through various phases; conceptualisation; inception; implementation; monitoring; management and ongoing adaptive management.

Sumatran Tiger Project, Forum HarimauKita and UNDP Indonesia started the campaign in conjunction of Global Tiger Day to bring awareness about Sapu Jerat campaign to local and national audiences. 

Sapu Jerat Crowd Funding to Protect Sumatran Tigers used local crowdfunding platform, Kitabisa.com that has enabled us to reach wider supporters (communities, philantropies, artists, influencers) by campaigning in social media. KItabisa.com generates funding online to support campaigns set up by organizations, individuals and communities. Sapu Jerat Crowd Funding to Protect Sumatran Tigers has given an examples for others to set up new campaign in supporting wildlife and biodiversity conservations.  

The Sapu Jerat campaign was also promoted using Sumatran Tiger, FHK and UNDP Indonesia social media channels and project's communication networks in four national parks. The networks consist of local journalists who - in coordination with Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in each landscape - continue to report Sumatran Tiger Project's initiatives, .   
 

Exchange visits were organized to places where the initiative has been active for some time and the implementation is on-going. For example, in order to acquire drought tolerant crops for local production, Ecofinder Kenya visited the Tangokona community in Busia County, Kenya where improved cassava and sweet potato varieties have been promoted and grown by local communities. The model was studied by Yala wetland communities, seeds purchased and farmers are now growing drought tolerant cassava and sweet potatoes.

This involves participation of all stakeholders at the local level in order to come up with locally viable solutions that all participants are comfortable with and that contribute to sustainable livelihoods and long term conservation of local biodiversity. We achieved this building block by involving stakeholders at different levels, i.e. at the meso or County level and micro or local community level. First, we engaged representatives of the Siaya County government departments  (such as Agriculture, Lands, Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources) and Civil society representatives working at the local and regional levels. A workshop was organised upon which the government and non-government actors discussed the challenges facing agriculture and biodiversity in relation to climate chage in the County and amicable and potential solutions sought from the participants. Secondly, local level meetings were held with community members and local leaders and resource persons including elders, retired government staff, health workers and conservation enthusiasts. The challenges facing agriculture and local biodiversity were sought and potential solutions reached. These were then analysed to come up with overal challenges and solutions from the stakeholders perspective.