Support Women Rangers Saving Baobabs - Madagascar

Dear Supporters,

We are excited to share the latest progress on our "Support Women Rangers Saving Baobabs" project in Madagascar. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in making significant strides towards our conservation goals. Here are some highlights from our recent activities and achievements:

Project Overview

The "Allée des Baobabs" Protected Area is located in the Menabe region of Madagascar, encompassing 320 hectares of unique baobab forests. Our objectives are to conserve and protect these majestic trees while promoting community development and environmental awareness.

Key Achievements (September - December 2023)

1. Conservation and Monitoring:

• Patrol Efforts: Our dedicated women rangers, known as KMMFA, conducted 44 patrol days covering a distance of 216.56 km. Their efforts have significantly reduced threats to the protected area, including seven instances of fire control and addressing cases of illegal wood collection.
• Visitor Management: During the holiday season, the Allée des Baobabs attracted 16,555 visitors. Our team raised awareness among visitors about the importance of preserving the baobabs, contributing to a decline in vandalism.

2. Forest Restoration:

• Seedling Monitoring: Our team monitored and maintained 15,970 baobab seedlings with a survival rate of 86.79%. Additionally, visitors actively participated in planting 100 seedlings from our private nursery, enhancing the restoration efforts.

3. Community Development:

• Private Nurseries: Our women rangers managed private nurseries, producing 7,000 young baobab plants. Despite some losses, 100 seedlings were sold, generating income for the rangers and promoting sustainable livelihoods within the community.

4. Awareness and Mobilization:

• Community Engagement: We conducted four awareness sessions, reaching 178 people across various villages. These sessions focused on themes such as responsible land use, hygiene in tourist areas, and the dangers of uncontrolled fire, fostering a culture of conservation among local communities.

Success Story

Thanks to the persistent efforts of the KMMFA, pressures on the baobabs have notably decreased. The presence of our rangers and the involvement of local communities have created a safer environment for these ancient trees. Visitor numbers have steadily increased, highlighting the growing appreciation for this natural wonder.

Looking Ahead

While we continue to work towards our fundraising goals, the impact of your donations is already visible. Your support enables us to sustain these vital conservation activities and empower women rangers who are at the forefront of protecting Madagascar's natural heritage.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our donors for your ongoing commitment to this project. Your contributions are not only saving baobabs but also enriching the lives of local communities. Together, we are making a lasting difference.

With sincere thanks,

Women for Conservation Team

Links:

• Meet our 6 women forest rangers

Dear Valued Supporters,

We're thrilled to share the impactful progress of the "Bicycles for Women Rangers" project, made possible by your generous contributions. With your support, we successfully raised enough donations to provide our dedicated women forest rangers in Madagascar with bicycles so they can double the coverage of their patrols and grow their tree planting campaigns. We are sending the funds to Madagascar in the coming weeks, and look forward to sharing photos of our women rangers and their bicycles in our next update.  

Your contributions have not only transformed the lives of these women rangers patrolling the iconic Baobab Alley but have also significantly enhanced the effectiveness of their patrols. The bicycles enable them to cover twice as much land, fortifying our efforts to protect the rainforests and endangered wildlife surrounding these rural communities. Last year these ranger participated in a campaign to plant 20,000 trees, and these bicycles will help them transport saplings and plant even more trees in the year to come.  

This initiative goes beyond empowering women in their vital role as forest guardians; it also contributes to the broader community's well-being by improving quality of life and empowering women environmentalists. However, sustaining this program for years to come is crucial. Currently, these forest guardians face challenges such as being unable to afford to send their children to school. We aspire to continue garnering support to create more conservation jobs for women planting trees.  Please join us to ensure the longevity of this program and help these dedicated women rangers send their sons and daughters to school.

Your continued support is instrumental in achieving these goals, and we are immensely grateful for the positive change we can bring to both the lives of these women rangers and the biodiversity-rich landscapes they protect.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Women for Conservation Team

Links:

• Madagascar: Meet Our Six Women Forest Rangers
• Madagascar Updates: Uplifting Communities, Protecting Baobabs