Protecting Threatened Lemur Habitat in Madagascar

The forest corridors are growing!

In Project Ala, protecting the lemur population and their habitat relies on SEED’s positive relationship with local communities. To support this, SEED recently held a workshop focussed on corridor management, to help facilitate a shift in landowner involvement. Now landowners play a more active role in future planning and physical corridor maintenance, helping to bring new and effective practices to the project. For example, landowners suggested clearing excessive leaf litter from around native trees, which will now be carried out on a regular basis to help promote native growth rates.

The Forest Management Committee (FMC) visited corridors to discuss programme progress and suggestions for improvement. They provided feedback on the management of Acacia that will be adopted as the corridors mature. Starting this month, holes in which native seedlings are planted will be dug to 20cm3, with the expectation that planting seedlings in a larger hole will help them to establish and grow roots more easily. Following a difficult start, native seedling growth rates have hugely increased from last year and it is hoped managing the growth of Acacia and natives will promote native species richness. As such, SEED continually works in partnership with landowners and the FMC to positively adapt the project and in Programme Year 3, native seedlings will be watered once a month throughout the dry season.

As Project Ala develops, SEED looks forward to welcoming more lemur sightings in the forest corridors. Lemurs are natural fertilisers, dispersing seeds and pollinating plants, helping the forest to grow. SEED remains enthusiastic in the project to protect the endangered species and their habitat, and are excited to continue the close partnership with landowners.

Thank you for supporting Project Ala!