“Mora mora”, “slowly, slowly”, protecting natural habitats from extinction.
Beyond the Forest:
The Human Side of Nature Conservation
Madagascar - a land of ancient forests, vibrant creatures, and ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth - transformed me. The island nation is home to playful lemurs and brilliantly colored chameleons, and more than 200,000 species - 80% which are endemic, which means they exist only on this island. But while I was mesmerized by its biodiversity, my journey to Madagascar revealed something more profound: the fragile bond between this wondrous wildlife and the people who call Madagascar home.
As I wandered through the lush forest, I saw firsthand the delicate balance between the island’s unique ecosystems and the encroachment of human activity.
It wasn’t just the breathtaking wildlife that struck me - it was the mounting pressure placed on their habitats. Expanding agriculture, illegal logging, and the demand for resources were carving away the very environments that these species depend on for survival.
Leah Glass (Blue Ventures)
She is passionate about ensuring that blue carbon and other ocean-based solutions make sense for both nature and the people whose livelihoods depend on the ocean. For the last decade she had been based in Madagascar, working together with colleagues and grassroots community associations to develop some of the world’s first blue carbon projects.
AKIBA
AKIBA, heritage in Malagasy, is an association, which promotes and support sustainable activities link to education and nature in Nosy Komba.
Located in the middle of the rainforest, its values are the sharing of knowledge, openness to the world and the protection of the environment.
The project concerns the opening of a third classroom in AKIBA. The objective is to allow children to access to a proper education by studying in good conditions.
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, so education is the one way to make this change. This would help populations to improve their quality of life and to make them more conscious about their environment and about the current global issues.
“To save the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems, we must begin with the people who live alongside them. It is through empowering people - through knowledge, support, and respect - that we can hope to protect what we hold dear.”
— Ryan Lee
Talk with Justin from MRCI Forest Team
Ryan’s Discoveries
