UNFCCC Climate Meeting in Durban (28 Nov - 12 Dec 2011)

Wetlands International participated at the 2011 climate summit in Durban, South Africa. The overall steps taken by the 194 governments are dangerously minimal. Regarding wetlands, we are content that wetland-carbon is finally recognised in different decisions. This may have a great impact for saving carbon rich wetlands (see final press release).

UNFCCC Adaptation Fund Board

The Adaptation Fund was created to finance climate change-related adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. We advocate solutions that help ensure environmental safeguards are built into the Adaptation Fund so that all projects and programme the Board finances fulfil strong envrionmental criteria.

Sustainable agriculture in the Dambos of Malawi

In Simlemba, Malawi we worked on tackling the issue of overexploitation of the seasonal wetlands (dambos) by agriculture. We helped farmer communities to improve farming in the dambos, manage water resources well and organised the conservation of forests higher up in the hills. 

Solving water conflicts on the foot of the Kilimanjaro, Kenya

From 2005 till 2010, Wetlands International worked with our partner the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in Kenya with the communities in the Kimana wetlands to improve water use. We helped to organise that the water needs of all, including three Masaai tribes, farmers and widlife for the National Parks, are balanced.

BIOMAC

Conservation du Lamantin ouest africain (Trichechus Senegalensis)

Entre 2004 et 2007,Wetlands International Afrique s’est intéressée au statut et valeur de cette espèce dans son aire de répartition. Cela a abouti, dans la première phase à la mise en place d’une stratégie régionale de conservation du lamantin. De 2008 à 2011, l’objectif visé est essentiellement de conserver le Lamantin ouest africain et ses habitats, en se basant sur des données scientifiques les plus fiables, et en tenant compte de l’environnement, des caractères socioéconomiques et culturels de son aire de répartition.

Initiative mangrove en Afrique de l'Ouest

Saving West Africa's mangroves: regional policy & local practices

In the six countries of Mauritania, Cabo Verde, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Chonakry and Sierra Leone we worked with governments and local communities on two strategies: 1. Bind all governments to conservation policies and action, and 2. Introduce sustainable production techniques that diminish the cutting of mangroves.

Wetlands and Livelihoods Programme

This programme focused on the mainstreaming of sustainable wetland management principles and practice into the development of poverty reduction strategies through local and international partnerships in DAC1 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It did so by enhancing of existing and supporting development of new policies at local, national and international levels, with specific inclusion of the water and health sectors and by ensuring due attention to the need for equitable development.

Creating Marine Protected Areas in Sierra Leone

We work in Sierra Leone to support its government to sustainably manage its marine and coastal resources and biodiversity conservation. We focus on the establishment of two Marine Protected Areas in the country.