Spring 2024 Quarterly Update from West Africa Blue
May 25, 2024
Welcome to West Africa Blue’s Spring 2024 update! The year is off to a strong start, with significant progress across our projects in Sierra Leone and Guinea. From exciting investor trips to new developments in community engagement, biodiversity assessments, and carbon research, we’re pleased to share the latest highlights.
Sierra Leone Project Updates:
Community Engagement: We’ve completed trainings and workshops for our Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) curriculum across 120 villages, reaching over 3,500 community members. These sessions were conducted in three local languages and covered more than 100 kilometers of project areas, accessible primarily by water.
Sustainable Oyster Farming: In collaboration with local communities, we’ve introduced sustainable oyster farming techniques using bamboo racks, which are popular and productive without harming the mangroves.
Improved Cookstoves and Fish Smoking Ovens: Our field team continues to scale up the construction of locally made mud cookstoves, benefiting over 4,000 households. We are also refining designs for improved fish smoking ovens (IFSOs) to reduce wood usage.
Woodlot Nurseries: Ahead of the rainy season, Blue’s Nursery Attendants have sown over 50,000 seeds across 90 villages, focusing on species that provide timber and potential income, such as gmelina and cashew.
New Project in Sierra Leone: We’re excited to announce the development of our third project in the Sierra Leone River Estuary (SLRE), which spans 10,000 hectares and will focus on conservation and restoration efforts.
Guinea Project Highlights:
Mangrove Carbon and Soil Analysis: Together with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, we have completed a thorough mangrove carbon assessment across the Guinea coastline, including soil sampling in collaboration with local government laboratories.
Biodiversity Assessment: Our biodiversity surveys have identified the potential presence of 65 species from the IUCN Red List, including the West African manatee and the Patas monkey.
Socioeconomic Surveys: Initial socioeconomic surveys in Guinea have revealed the impact of environmental changes on livelihoods, including the abandonment of rice paddies due to saltwater intrusion, which is linked to mangrove loss.
As we continue to work closely with communities, governments, and our partners, we remain committed to advancing sustainable development and conservation across West Africa. If you’d like more details, feel free to reach out or explore our latest career opportunities on our website. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months!