Project Update: November 2009

The natural resource management training program provides approximately 10 people from each village with a training manual written in pidgin English on natural resource management techniques. Since 2007, 450 people have participated in various activities, theory, discussion and watched videos to help them understand the environmental impacts within the local area. Topics covered include assessing traditional practices compared to modernised practices and the impacts they have on the environment, understanding climate change causes and effects, understanding how nature works such as ecosystem function, food webs and food chains.

Upon conclusion of the workshops people often comment “Jean has brought knowledge all the way from University level down to us at the grassroots. We want to learn more.”

The participants form the conservation area management committee for each village and are responsible for the management of rules and penalties established by the community for the legal protection of their resources.