The Mukogodo Landscape, and other adjacent ecosystems, are critical ecosystems that support diverse flora and fauna, including several endangered species. However, over the years, the landscape has experienced significant degradation due to deforestation, unsustainable land use practices, and climate change impacts. This degradation of our landscapes and forests poses significant challenges to both environmental sustainability and human well-being. In light of this, it has become increasingly imperative for stakeholders to come together and explore innovative approaches to address these issues effectively.
As a critical stakeholder within Mukogodo and adjacent landscapes and ecosystems, LWF was identified, and therefore invited, to participate in a training workshop aimed at promoting sustainable forest management practices and restoration efforts within the Landscapes. The workshop explored innovative tools and strategies for sustainable forest and landscape management, with a particular focus on the application of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus conservation) strategies to support ecosystem restoration in arid areas, such as the Mukogodo Forest and its surroundings.
This training provided three key insights and learnings: REDD+ Strategies for Arid Ecosystems, Sustainable Forest and Landscape Management Tools, and Community Involvement.
Regarding REDD+ Strategies for Arid Ecosystems, the workshop delved into the unique challenges of arid areas, including the Mukogodo Forest, and emphasized the role of REDD+ strategies in mitigating deforestation and forest degradation. Discussions revolved around the potential of REDD+ to provide financial incentives for sustainable land use practices, which, in turn, supports the restoration of degraded ecosystems.
Under this learning, REDD+ Strategies and Objectives were explained. REDD+ strategies are multifaceted and aim to achieve several interconnected objectives, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conserving and enhancing forest carbon stocks, sustainably managing forests, enhancing the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, and safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Additionally, National REDD+ Readiness was explained. Effective implementation of REDD+ necessitates countries undergoing a readiness preparation process. This involves developing national REDD+ strategies aligning with international guidelines and frameworks, establishing robust legal and institutional frameworks for forest governance and management, building technical capacity for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of emissions reductions and forest carbon stocks, and engaging stakeholders—including government agencies, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, and local communities—in the REDD+ process.
Furthermore, REDD+ Activities were elaborated. REDD+ activities encompass a range of interventions aimed at addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. These include forest conservation and protection, sustainable forest management practices such as reduced impact logging and agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation efforts to restore degraded landscapes, strengthening land tenure and forest tenure rights, supporting alternative livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, and enhancing forest governance and law enforcement mechanisms.
With regard to the Sustainable Forest and Landscape Management Tools we engaged in hands-on sessions exploring various tools and modules designed for sustainable forest and landscape management. These included Geographic Information System (GIS) applications, remote sensing technologies, and data-driven decision-making processes tailored to arid environments. These tools were demonstrated to enhance monitoring, planning, and implementation of restoration efforts. Community Involvement was a key theme of the workshop and was explained as the integration of local communities into sustainable forest and landscape management. REDD+ strategies were explored as tools for fostering community participation and ensuring that the benefits of ecosystem restoration are shared equitably.
By incorporating REDD+ principles into our work at LWF, we have the opportunity to enhance our conservation efforts, mitigate climate change impacts, and improve the livelihoods of local communities in the Mukogodo Forest and surrounding areas.
