PROJECT CONTEXT:
The Project takes place in the Senegal’s Kaffrine Region, which faces serious socio-economic challenges. This has created a complex situation where environmental degradation and poverty are deeply intertwined. The region’s reliance on subsistence farming, coupled with erratic rainfall, keeps household incomes low, averaging just 40,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 66.70) per month.

The lands in the proposed Reserve area are currently in a degraded state with low levels of carbon sequestration. In the Classified Forests of Maka Yop, illegal logging, overgrazing, charcoal production, and uncontrolled fires have significantly reduced the forest cover to the point where the forest is half of its original size. Lands outside the classified forest area have also been affected by degradation, primarily due to agricultural and pastoral use.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

1. Ecosystem restoration

• Perimeter protection. Erect robust perimeter fencing to prevent grazing, illegal logging and other human disturbances; maintain regular inspections and repairs.

• Assisted natural regeneration. After fences are in place, large areas will be left to recover naturally; ANR leverages existing seedbanks and rootstocks and is cost-effective where human pressures are removed.

• Targeted planting. Where natural recovery is insufficient, plant native woodland species to accelerate canopy and structural recovery.

• Fire management. Establish strategic firebreaks and an integrated fire-management plan to reduce wildfire risk and protect young vegetation.

• Forest health program. Monitor and manage pests, disease and invasive species as part of an adaptive forest-management plan.

• Monitoring. Ongoing ecological monitoring to track vegetation recovery, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity outcomes.

2. Wildlife reserve

• Initial boundary will use Ferlo-type fencing (suitable for most species); before introducing elephants, lions and leopards, upgrade to electrified Big-5 fencing.

• Establish ranger posts, visitor reception, and sustainably designed tourism facilities to support protection, research and high-quality ecotourism.

• The local area currently lacks large mammals due to poaching and encroachment; responsible translocations will be conducted in partnership with the Senegalese government and international conservation bodies to reintroduce native species under best-practice protocols.

• Priority species include: African savannah elephant (Endangered), West African lion (Critically Endangered), leopard (Vulnerable), West African savannah buffalo (Near Threatened), African wild dog (Endangered), West African giraffe (Vulnerable) and western giant eland (Critically Endangered). All introductions will prioritize genetic and ecological suitability.

• Controlled burns, invasive species control, water resource management, and restoration actions to maintain diverse habitat structured

• Trained anti-poaching teams, camera traps, drones and collaboration with law enforcement to prevent illegal hunting and trafficking.

• Monitoring & research: GPS collars, camera traps and systematic surveys to monitor population trends, movements, health and ecosystem responses. Data will inform adaptive decisions.

• Active involvement of neighbouring communities in conservation and benefit-sharing to reduce conflict and illegal activities.

3. Ecotourism

• Guided safaris, birdwatching, wildlife photography, nature walks, educational programs, visitor centres, and sustainable accommodations (eco-lodges, campsites).

• Emphasis on low-impact, high-value tourism and community-led experiences.

• Communities will be prioritised for employment (guides, rangers, hospitality), souvenir and service provision, and training to maximize local economic and social benefits.

4. Community development

• 100% of net carbon revenue is recycled back to communities once debt is repaid. This will increase average household income by 260%.

• Education & research grants: Ten university scholarships per year for top local students; school grants for conservation curricula; EUR 20,000/yr in research grants to support studies of West African species.

• Infrastructure: Drilling of boreholes across the buffer zone to support year-round agriculture and reduce pressure on reserve resources.

• Employment & training: Create 500+ reforestation jobs, train ~45 local rangers and ~22 guides, and give hiring priority to local residents. Collaborate with local businesses for supplies and logistics. Total 2700 jobs created.

• Land rights assistance: Help residents living in classified forests obtain legitimate state land titles outside forested areas.

5. Regional conservation support & partnerships

• Joint projects: Shared anti-poaching, habitat restoration and monitoring programs.

• Translocation support: Assist with animal transfers that enhance genetic connectivity and metapopulation resilience across reserves.

• Emergency response: Provide logistical and veterinary support during disease outbreaks, disasters or mass-mortality events.

• Research collaboration: Partner with national reserves and institutions to share data and co-produce research on migration, demographics and ecosystem health.

• Ecotourism promotion: Joint marketing to position the region as a safari circuit, diversifying visitor flows and revenues for multiple reserves.

• Advocacy & best-practice exchange: Promote policy measures favourable to conservation and share proven management techniques and technologies.

6. Research & capacity building

• These partnerships will produce peer-quality research, strengthen national expertise, create career pathways for Senegalese conservationists, and ensure that restoration and reintroduction efforts are informed by rigorous science.

PROJECT IMPACT:

1. Unique Setting:

• The Project is unique in West Africa, where there is a scarcity of both biodiversity conservation projects and carbon sequestration initiatives. Situated in the Sahel, one of the most vulnerable regions to the adverse effects of climate change, it directly fights against increased temperatures and droughts which have contributed to desertification and impoverishment of the region. Further, it fights against climate-related poverty and forced migration, both of which have plagued the Sahel in recent years, leading to a succession of military coups or instability in other countries in the region.

2. Biodiversity Benefits:

• From a biodiversity perspective, the Project holds significant regional implications. With fewer than ten elephants and less than 30 lions remaining in Senegal, the Reserve's conservation efforts are paramount to ensuring these species do not go extinct in the country. In addition to iconic species like lions and elephants, the Reserve will provide a sanctuary for threatened species such as Western Derby elands (400 remaining worldwide), leopards, West African wild dogs (70 remaining in the wild), and West African giraffes (600 remaining worldwide).

• The Reserve also seek to establish a ranger school and elevate Senegal as a leader in biodiversity conservation, empowering local researchers and students by offering educational opportunities, scholarships, and grant for conservation research.

3. Social Benefits

• The Project takes place in the Senegal’s Kaffrine Region, which faces serious socio-economic challenges. This has created a complex situation where environmental degradation and poverty are deeply intertwined. The region’s reliance on subsistence farming, coupled with erratic rainfall, keeps household incomes low, averaging just 40,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 66.70) per month.

• The region’s 2021 employment rate of 45.3% reflected stark gender disparities, with 59.5% of men employed compared to just 31.5% of women (World Report July 2024). With over half of the population (54.7%) unemployed, poverty is further exacerbated. Educational access in the Kaffrine region is also severely limited with a gross education enrolment of only 21.7%.

• The Reserve aims to provide value to local communities by employing a community-focused, boosting local incomes by 260%. In addition to a direct revenue sharing, the Reserve installs boreholes to improve water access for over 3,000 households, creates 500 reforestation jobs for local community members, and offers 10 fully-paid scholarships each year to local students. It also allocates EUR 20,000 annually in grants to Senegalese scientists and sponsors conservation education in local schools.

4. Economic Benefits

• Upon establishment, the Reserve will rank among the largest protected areas in West Africa, delivering much-needed benefits to an undervalued region. The Project has the potential to grow Senegal’s entire national tourism sector by 27%, by attracting 15% of the visitors currently visiting the top 7 safari destinations. Wildlife tourism, as demonstrated by reserves in Eastern and Southern Africa, often acts as a catalyst for national economic growth by enhancing the appeal of not only the Project itself but also other destinations within the country. An increase in tourist arrivals will have a cascading effect on the economy, improving income for the airport, transport companies, lodging companies, food supply companies, and other business involved in the tourism economy.

PARTNERSHIPS:
We offer opportunities to invest in our project through bridging finance, debt investment, offtake agreements, direct support. If you are interested in getting involved please do reach out as we would love to engage.