Involving people directly in the reef restoration effort and being actively part of the solution is crucial for its overall success. With the help of local dive operators, Reef Renewal Bonaire trains volunteers that participate side-by-side with the staff in day-to-day field activities. Trained divers are pivotal in sharing RRFB’s vision with the wider community and becoming natural ambassadors for reef preservation and restoration. 

Educational programs and tailored experiences are organized for schools, youth groups, local businesses, and authorities aimed at involving them in different levels of restoration efforts, while allowing them to see the results of the project, firsthand. 

Furthermore, located in shallow water, the nurseries and outplanting sites are easily accessible by divers, snorkelers, and surface explorers, becoming an attraction not only to visitors of the islands but also to local community groups.

The aim was to regularly communicate the progress of the work to the entire population of the archipelago. To do this, we relied primarily on our FaceBook page; then we responded to all requests from the local channel (SPM La Première), whether on radio or television. Finally, we organized specific events (presentations for the general public) or presented at a congress on the archipelago.

Holothurian stock assessments have been carried out elsewhere in the world, but the target species, depths and logistical requirements were different. In our case, it was imperative to rework the initial protocol so that it was more adapted to the field, more realistic and more efficient.

• This was meant to give hands on knowledge to the beneficiaries in accordance with the activities engaged in. The main targets were those who would benefit from alternative sources of income. already existing practitioners in aquaculture, apiary etc and the new ones alike were taken into consideration. Individuals, homesteads, member groups/associations were trained in categories; Fisheries, Apiary development, and Crop growers. different training sessions were organised for each category.
• This helped members to know what awaits them, how to plan and manage it sustainably to improve their livelihoods.
• Education and training was a continuous process throughout the implementation cycle of the project.

The purpose was to bring together all the affected persons, the potential beneficiaries and all the concerned community members, partners to introduce to them the project idea, its anticipated impacts both negative and positive, whilst explaining the responsibility of the community members their roles during the implementation. This was also meant to get the different views and ideas of members to aid the successful implementation of the activities of the project. It was also meant to share with the community members the relevant knowledge required to utilize the wetland and its various resources/products  sustainably in order to live in harmony with nature. The engagement involved teaching the members the need for their participation for each step during implementation. Different individuals or households were engaged in different activities in the wetland. This sensitisation meeting further explored how each activity in the wetland can be carried out to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts both economically and environmentally. A call for a community meeting was announced on radio, church gatherings and other media. This was a continuous activity throughout the implementation of the project.

Female rangers play an important part in the conservation of black rhinos in the Kunene and Erongo regions of Namibia. They are equally willing and able to conduct patrols and are fully supported by the custodian conservancies.

The aim was to obtain as much data as possible on the water quality of three of the archipelago's main rivers and three main ponds. Thanks to the multiparameter probes already in use at the federation, we were able to take initial measurements of water quality, including temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductimetry (quantity of dissolved salts), which are fundamental to fish survival. At the same time, we determined bathymetry for all or part of the three ponds targeted by the projects. Finally, we applied a method to characterize the physical state of the watercourses, including the banks. All these data were then analyzed for the project. At the same time, a great deal of mapping work was carried out during the winter months (due to the impossibility of carrying out field work).

After staying afloat and fulfilling government health requirements, the island was reopened earlier than expected to ecotourism. Staff were trained by health officials on maintaining safety during visits, and signage directing visitors to observe hygiene and other protocols put up. The entire team on the island was vaccinated. As part of a digitization process, Nature Seychelles provided an online payment option for ease of ticketing. Tour operators were contacted and apprised of the health authority's requirements before the reopening.

This helps to orient and introduce the project idea to the relevant officials working with the district/administrators directly or indirectly involved in the project. This was meant to avoid any future audit queries, conflicts arising from implementation of activities. These involved local councilors, local council or village chairmen, district political leaders, environmental police, internal security organizations, district administration officials, district technical staff from different departments(finance, procurement, natural resources, community development, engineering etc). This included other private stakeholders doing more or less similar projects, lodge owners etc. The engagement involved an organized project launch activity or ground breaking ceremony to educate them on the project anticipated activities, locations/areas, budget, beneficiaries, potential risks and the anticipated outcome, plus seeking their input and support for the success of the project. This also involved field visits to access the situation on ground before implementation.

Recruiting personnel with the desired skills, attributes and a willingness to undergo desierd training. This included a Project Manager for the SLNT PSEPA Programme to provide leadership and manage implementation of project activities; and a team of rangers to conduct the monitoring and surveillance activities. These resources supported delivery of the following outputs:

Output 1 - Increased surveillance of targeted areas within the PSEPA to address illegal activities and species conservation

Activity Implemented 1.1 - PSEPA Ranger recruitment

Activity Implemented 1.2 - Surveillance of key PSEPA resources

Activity Implemented 1.5 - Recruitment of Conservation Officer 

Output 2 - Improved Species monitoring programmes

Activity Implemented 2.1 – Offshore islands monitoring

Activity Implemented 2.2 – Wildlife survey

Activity Implemented 2.3 – Equipment purchase turtle monitoring

Activity Implemented 2.4 – Turtle monitoring training

Activity Implemented 2.5 – Turtle monitoring

The rationale for this building block is such that the activities and outputs presented above assisted with the generation of data required to inform future programming and lay the foundation for an established conservation programme at the SLNT southern office responsible for the PSEPA.