An accepted Marine Protected Area with shared governance
Better knowledge for better management
Back to some successful management
Hardscapes: Constructed Landscaping Elements
Fountain
@ Flora Green Fields
Gazebo structures
@ Flora Green Fields
Jogging tracks view
@ Flora Green Fields
Jogging tracks & sitting areas
@ Flora Green Fields
New campus entrance & fountain areas
@ Flora Green Fields
Parking_fountain_areas
@ Flora Green Fields
water_fountains_sitting_areas_jogging_tracks
@ Flora Green Fields
The hardscapes consist of coloured gravels, gazebo structures, barbeque facilities, water fountains, jogging tracks and sports areas. Multi-factors were considered to minimize the landscaping requirements (e.g., irrigation and maintenance) and costs, while creating multi-functional areas that add value to the site (e.g., sports, barbeque, meditation, recreational areas, sitting & walking areas).
The design should maintain a balance between softscapes and hardscapes in order to achieve the desired level of greenery while minimising costs. Also, the design should make good use of the landscape to enhance the functionality of the landscaping area.
There is a real need to use hardscapes in landscapes located in arid regions to reduce dependency on cultivated softscapes & their related requirements (watering, maintenance & costs), while creating interesting features & functional areas in the landscape. One of the key lessons learned is, while planning for a landscape in the desert region, try to best construct & implement hardscaping components (e.g., mulch, colored stones, gazebo, barbeque areas, recycled water fountain) to enrich the diversity & functionality of the established sustainable landscape, while reducing the irrigation water needs, maintainance & total costs. What mostly make sense to the landscapes' visitors is the the general overview of landscape & how it's interesting to the eye, while creating functional areas, & not necessaarly the big number of cultivated plants is the only significant factor to establish a landscape. Thus, best use both hardscapes & softscapes together & alternatly to create a sustainable interesting landscape in arid lands
A results-based payments for conservation system measured and monitored using a REDD (avoided deforestation) project methodology.
Village Game Scout patrolling the forest
Carbon Tanzania
Carbon baseline survey conducted in the Ntakata Mountains
Carbon Tanzania
REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) projects can link sustainable management of biodiverse forests to economic and livelihood improvements. Using the REDD monitoring framework and methodology for carbon accounting, the forest communities of the Ntakata Mountains are empowered to earn carbon revenues through achieving reduced deforestation rates in the wildlife-rich forests of western Tanzania.
Once a REDD project has been developed and verified it must undergo regular certification to prove that deforestation has reduced and that the resulting carbon credits are real, measurable, permanent and additional. Without certification the carbon credits cannot be sold, putting an end to this revenue stream.
Ownership of the project by the forest communities conducting the forest protection activities is critical to the success of the results-based REDD project.
A team dedicated to the lengthy development and certification process of the REDD project and commitment from the forest communities to uphold their responsibilities for the duration of the contract is fundamental to the success of the project.
Transparency and mutual accountability between project developer and the communities is imperative throughout the development of the project and throughout the execution of project activities.
Collaboration with landscape partners including Village and District governments, TNC and Pathfinder International (Tuungane).
Meeting between Tuungane, Carbon Tanzania and Village official
Carbon Tanzania
Mpanda District Meeting
Carbon Tanzania
Collaborating and co-operating with local governments and organisations who share a common vision and common goals, yields enhanced results with greater efficiency, both in terms of resources used and funds deployed.
The first step is to identify partners with common goals but with varying strengths to achieve enhanced results. Time then needs to be taken to meet regularly, whereby relationships are developed and nurtured, to gain a deeper understanding of individual needs and to review and update procedures to ensure resources are shared and that strengths are being maximized.
A shared understanding of the importance of forest community land rights, the development and promotion of good governance, and respect for community development priorities is critical for successful collaboration.
The process of collaborating with landscape partners and local government institutions demands a long term approach in order to build genuine trust and mutual understanding. Our relationships with our local partners have generally been positive and mutually beneficial, but we have learned that continued efforts need to be made to ensure that alignment of goals and values is maintained across institutions as it can be challenging for new personnel in the respective organisations to immediately embrace the historical relationships between partners.
The softscapes include indigenous species of trees, shrubs, & groundcovers. Around 19 indigenous plant species are used in the project. Multi-factors were considered to minimize the landscaping requirements (e.g., irrigation, maintenance and costs) while conserving native biodiversity, generating cultural and sustainability benefits, and strengthening climate resilience. This initiative is intended to inspire decision-makers and other landscaping projects in arid lands to take a similar approach.
References related to native plants, and updates on their status.
Native plants suppliers and germplasm conservation of the native species.
Expertise related to native plants, their sustainable use and propagation.
Cultural awareness on the importance of utilizing native plants and enhanced public appreciation of their desert features, shapes and colours.
Value of native plants and the necessity to raise social awareness on their benefits
The need to employ scientific knowledge for the implementation of real projects
There is an opportunity to achieve long-lasting beauty of the landscape by cultivating native plants while minimizing costs and resource inputs (e.g., irrigation, maintenance and fertilization)
Native plants offer authenticity and traditional cultural values
By planting indigenous species of plants, one can foster rich native biodiversity. This can be done by germplasm conservation, propagation & natural restoration. This can significanlty reduce the severity of the desertification & extensive urbanazation activities.
Establishement of Kayirabwa Chimpanzee Conservancy for conservation and protection of wildlife migratory routes in northern Albertine rift forests, western Uganda
These corridor forests are disappearing quickly and if these findings are not acted upon soon there will be little corridor forest left to conserve and most of these species will become extinct in this region. There is a need for the Ministry of Water, Energy and the Environment, the District Environmental offices and the National Forest Authority to move ahead quickly with providing economic and financial incentives to enable these corridor forests to receive funding as soon as they can to offset the current incentives to destroy the forest for agriculture.
Presence of Kihaimira Central Forest Reserve as core area
Local support for chimpanzee conservation
Great Potential for agro-ecotourism
Great potential for nature based enterprises eg. bee keeping
Conducive government policies
A corridor forests east of Lake Albert are rich in biodiversity, they contain many of the species that may require connectivity to remain viable in the larger forest blocks, and they are likely to be playing a functional role in terms of connecting meta-populations of these species. There is a need to find incentives for land owners who have forest on their land in the corridors to conserve these forests in order to maintain these functional roles.
