Conservation Landscapes Program - CLP Dry Ecosystem Conservation in the Caribbean: Quarterly Performance Report

The program focuses on implementing land use management tools at the landscape level, restoring connectivity with a biodiversity-friendly productive matrix and ecological corridors. Improved smallholder agroforestry practices, installing connectivity tools in larger agricultural areas, implementing silvo-pastoral systems, and sustainable use of natural resources will guarantee ecological integrity by enhancing connectivity, covering soils to prevent erosion, promoting watershed protection, and maintaining species diversity. The program's main beneficiaries are indigenous, campesino communities, and local organizations associated with the target areas. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will develop proposals combining economic, environmental, and social components, addressing the main threats on the tropical dry forest ecosystem with community participation and capacity-building. Public-private alliances will be fostered for sustainable production, and other public stakeholders will be engaged for better decision-making related to tropical dry forest ecosystem conservation. During the reporting period, one new agreement was signed, and three agreements concluded activities. The new agreement was signed for COP228.238.000 for the development of the conservation-production strategy in Montes de María in Corregimiento El Salado, municipality of Carmen de Bolivar with Fundación Semana. On Nodo Kankuamos and Nodo Piojó agreements concluded implementation activities resulting in 116.58 hectares of conservation corridors and three communities adopting sustainable practices to improve biodiversity conservation. The implementation of production-conservation corridors was a significant achievement, with 64 hectares of agroforestry systems implemented in Nodo Colorados, 34 hectares in Nodo Magdalena, and the registration of four private reserves in Nodo Cesar. Additionally, 28 families received hens for their recently constructed hen houses, and seven beehives with training workshops in beekeeping were provided. Three demonstrative plots of contour lines and infiltration trenches were constructed to teach the community how this technology can help prevent erosion, flooding, and manage storm water. In Nodo Guajira, an agreement was signed to increase the connectivity of forest patches in the Paladines and Pasito river micro-basins, but activities were delayed due to difficulties finding wood posts for isolation activities and the lack of time from beneficiaries to work in water reservoirs. However, three meetings with river basin committees for institutional strengthening took place, and an organization was created for the management and conservation of the District of Integrated Management (DMI) El Cerro de Bañaderos. One water reservoir was built, achieving four in total, and six rain harvesting systems with 2000-liter tanks were completed. The program's focus on improving livelihoods and conserving biodiversity is evident in its implementation of sustainable production systems, conservation corridors, and community engagement. The program's achievements demonstrate its commitment to protecting the tropical dry forest ecosystem and promoting environmentally sustainable livelihoods for associated communities.