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

The TDFE has been affected by deforestation, with 82% of the area degraded. The Conservation Landscapes Program (CLP) aims to improve TDFE governance, biodiversity, and natural resource preservation in the region. The program focuses on land use management at the landscape level, restoring connectivity with a biodiversity-friendly matrix, and promoting ecological corridors. Improved smallholder agroforestry practices, connectivity tools, and sustainable use of natural resources will guarantee ecological integrity by enhancing connectivity, preventing erosion, and promoting watershed protection. The CLP has made significant progress in implementing its objectives. Two new agreements were signed for the development of the production-conservation strategy. The first agreement was signed in Nodo Piojó for the development of agricultural production centered on better soil management to combat desertification. The second agreement was signed to start operations in a new Nodo, Nodo Cesar, in the department of Cesar. The objective of this agreement is to establish new civil society reserves and promote sustainable production practices, focusing on silvo-pastoral systems. The program has also made progress in implementing conservation agreements. In Nodo Colorados, 55 conservation agreements were signed, and 3930 lineal meters have been isolated to date. In Nodo Guajira, an amendment was made to the agreement to add three months and 14 days to the deadline, which will now end in May 2015. The program has also built five new reservoirs and water harvesting systems with 2000 liter tanks. In Nodo Kankuamos, 5900 lineal meters of isolation were made, and a pre-agreement was signed to guarantee the best production practices and the conservation of an additional 28 hectares. The program has also made progress in implementing its production-conservation strategy. In Nodo Piojó, a project was initiated to link the forest reserve El Palomar with the surrounding areas. The program has also made progress in implementing its connectivity strategy. In Nodo Colorados, 3930 lineal meters have been isolated to date, and 18 beneficiaries received materials for isolation. In Nodo Guajira, 5900 meters have been isolated, and five new reservoirs and water harvesting systems with 2000 liter tanks were built. The program has also made progress in implementing its social component. The program has worked with the Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves to promote the use of clean cook stoves in the region. An agreement was signed with the Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves for $40,000 to make a workshop with the purpose of promoting Latin-American experiences to lawmakers. The program has also made progress in implementing its economic component. The program has worked with universities and the community to develop a production strategy in Nodo Piojó. The program has also made progress in implementing its environmental component. The program has worked to restore connectivity with a biodiversity-friendly matrix and promote ecological corridors. The program has also made progress in implementing its connectivity strategy. In Nodo Colorados, 3930 lineal meters have been isolated to date, and 18 beneficiaries received materials for isolation. In Nodo Guajira, 5900 meters have been isolated, and five new reservoirs and water harvesting systems with 2000 liter tanks were built. The program has also made progress in implementing its governance component. The program has worked with the Regional Protected Area System - SIRAP Caribe to strengthen the environmental authorities in the region. The program has also made progress in implementing its social component. The program has worked with the Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves to promote the use of clean cook stoves in the region.