Environmental degradation, poverty & food insecurity have decreased the quality of life for many in Haiti & Colombia. Mangroves are pivotal in protecting coastal areas from extreme weather, act as carbon sinks & have the untapped potential to boost local economies while improving climate resiliency. This innovative project harnesses the potential of mangrove conservation via new income-generating projects & strengthening civil society actors. 100,000 people will benefit over 3 years.
Inhabitants of Colombia & Haiti's wetlands suffer food insecurity & widespread poverty. Many spend between 60-100% of their income on food. Increased contamination & common harmful practices like slash-&-burn agriculture damage vital mangrove forests which, in a period of 70 years have shrunk by 50-70%, lowering local residents' overall quality of life. What's worse, weak civil society means they are unable to organize and prevent further environmental degradation & vulnerability.
This project will rehabilitate, clean, & replant 200 acres of mangrove forest, increasing climate resilience & quality of life for local inhabitants; train local populations in alternative income-generating activities like fishing, recycling & beekeeping; strengthen civil society organizations by forging local networks creating a space for them to represent their interests at relevant private & governmental levels; & sensitize the population through awareness campaigns.
In the short-term, this project will increase urgently needed income & awareness for over 100,000 people in Haiti & Colombia. In the long-term, the target population will collect best practices in mangrove conservation & be increasingly more resilient to extreme climate events, holistically harnessing the mangrove's potential in reducing vulnerability. This 3-year, multi-layered approach will work towards enabling them to have a greater stake & voice in their own futures.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
