Restoration and Community Co-Management of Mangroves (RECCOMM)

In early 2015, GFC signed contracts with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit to implement the RECCOMM pilot project. It arose out of the need for coastal protection against the adverse effects of climate change such as storm surges and sea-level rise. The area is experiencing heavy coastal erosion, and the mangrove system, which acts as the natural first line of defense, is being reduced by deforestation and unsustainable harvesting for charcoal production.  RECCOMM, which is part of the Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (ICCAS) Programme, aims to increase the health of the mangrove forest and associated ecosystems in order to reduce vulnerabilities to the adverse effects of climate change. 

 

Telescope Big Bay is a low-lying community located on Grenada’s north eastern coast. Persons living in the area have noticed changes in the landscape of the beach, as well as a decrease in the spread of mangroves. Raising awareness among the community members was an important first step, as their involvement is integral to the success of the project.

 

The following activities have thus far been completed under the project: 

 

• Completion of an extensive biological and socio-economic baseline study, consisting of beach profiling, soil sampling, community surveys and selection of different implementation sites within the allocated area.

 

• Establishment of a community and government co-management board, comprising 5 members of the local community, one member of a local NGO/CBO (SADO), and representatives from the government of Grenada.

 

• A community clean-up in July 2015, where 40 bags of garbage were collected.

 

• Training of community members in the collection and propagation of mangrove seedlings. Two collections were done and 1900 mangrove seedlings were propagated in a makeshift nursery. 

 

• About 1500 seedlings were transplanted in the project site in a community plant-out on November 14th. The remaining seedlings are set to be transplanted before the end of the year. Other coastal trees and shrubs were also planted, including sea grapes, almonds and neem, on December 12th.

 

• The procurement and handing over of equipment (shovels, forks, cutlasses and a chainsaw) to the Forestry Department to aid in the sustainable production of charcoal in the project area.

 

• An introduction to beekeeping. 20 community members were engaged in an introductory course in April 2015 at the TAMCC St. Andrew's campus, which focused on honey bee biology, use of beekeeping and honey extraction.

 

• Participation of community members in an intensive 3-day workshop at the Caribbean Bee College in May 2015. The course, held by the East Caribbean Bee Research and Extension Center (EBREC), covered topics such as pollination, pesticides, honeybee pests and disease.

 

• The first of many in a series of training workshops for the development of a CBO for the Telescope community on December 3rd. GFC facilitated a workshop to equip the community members with the skills needed to establish their own Community-Based Organization legally in order to continue carrying out community development projects after RECCOMM is complete.

 

Pending activities under the project:

 

• A yearlong apprenticeship beekeeping programme will begin in December 2015. 10 participants will be enrolled and provided with full equipment. The training will involve working closely alongside established local beekeepers. During the course, the apprentices will be presented with bee hives which will be managed within the project site. Here, mangrove species as well as nearby agricultural lands can provide excellent pollen sources for the bees. This will create added value for the mangroves and dissuade their unsustainable use.

 

• Training will be conducted on sustainable charcoal production, providing users with community kilns and alternative fast-growing tree species, ultimately transitioning them away from the use of mangrove species for the production of charcoal.

 

• Training in ecotourism will be provided in the form of eco-trail development and education about the culture, flora and fauna of the area. A viewing platform will be built for birdwatching activities and to act as an information booth for visitors.