GREEN EARTH ORGANIZATION- Biodiversity Conservation Activities

Kwesi Anderson11/05/2009

Profile - GEO

It’s a non-governmental, environment conservation and development organisation

Established in 1989 and its activities cover most regions in Ghana

Vision: to create environmentally conscious society where natural resources are sustainably managed or conserved

Profile - contd

Mission: to assist, encourage and advocate to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature to support lives on earth

Goal: to ensure that people appreciate the value of natural resources as their life support system and manage them for present and future generations.

Thematic areas of work

Forest Climate change Biodiversity conservation Desertification and drylands Water etc

Biodiversity Conservation activities

Boti Falls Biodiversity conservation project Nyanya lagoon rehabilitation and

community improvement project Biodiversity conservation- Bushfire

prevention, education and enrichment planting project

Songor Wetlands conservation and education project

Green Dove publication on biodiversity conservation etc

Songor Wetlands conservation- Ada

Definition:Areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water whether natural orartificial, permanent or temporal, with water that is static

or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine Water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed sixMeters ( Ramsar convention – 1971)A wetland environment A typical marshy wetland

The Songor Wetland, one of the six coastal wetlands (Protected Areas) in Ghana was designated a Ramsar site in 1992.

It is the second largest wetland along the coast of Ghana and covers an area of 51,33.33 hectares

The included Songor lagoon is one of the two lagoon systems associated with the Volta River Estuary

It is located in the Danbge East District of the Greater Accra Region

It is endowed with flora and fauna of global and national significance. E.g. includes manatees, migratory birds, turtles, mangroves, African Python, etc

Some of the animal species found in the area

THREATS TO THE WETLANDIn spite of it importance in water storage, flood mitigation, ground water recharge, pollutants

retention,stabilization of local climate conditions among

others,This biodiversity is under threat from a variety of

mostly human induced pressures. These includes Continuous /over exploitation of mangrove for

domestic and commercial energy use Loss of land and habitat through sea erosion Block moulding at beach Land destruction and reclamation Species destruction

THREATS – Cont’d Blocking of creeks that supply brackish water to the

lagoon Conversion of habitat into farms and salt pans Use of unsafe agrochemicals that pollute underground

water A low level of awareness and appreciation of the value of

wetland ecosystem and how human activities impact its integrity.

Threats to Wetlands

Some Negative Impacts

These threats has led to

Loss of traditional and cultural values and grounds

Loss of social, recreational and aesthetic values

Loss of economic / livelihood activities – fisheries, farming, tourism, reeds, salt…

Loss of ecological habitats – breeding areas of animals

Natural catastrophic – flooding, erosion, strong winds

Species conservation / protection measures

By L.I. 710 of 1971 – creation of reserves, parks and zoos

685 of 1971 – conservation of species, authority to arrest and prosecute

L.I. 1659, 1999 – wetland management (Ramsar site) Regulations

Categorization of species and schedules Research, survey, monitoring etc… Close seasons (1st Aug – 31st Dec.)

Species protection / conservation

Habitat Conservation / Protection Measures

Facilitate the restoration of ecologically degraded areas through,

Mangrove and other tree planting

Clearing of blocked creeks and bank planting

Education on environmentally friendly farming, fishing etc.. Practices

Arrest and prosecution

Habitat Restoration/Improvement

Restoration Activities

COLLABORATIVE PROTECTION

Collaboration between the various stakeholders including, government (Wildlife Division of FC), communities, NGOs (Green Earth) as well as individual is being encouraged and supported

Community conservation volunteers – *turtle conservation task force *Individual volunteers *School clubs

Community investment support fund(divert attention, reduce poverty, create employment)

Thank You