Bio-diversity

1.1 Project Summary The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is dedicated to the conservation of the native ecosystems of Mauritius and Rodrigues. In Rodrigues, it has a specialisation in habitat restoration and has a long-term involvement in Nature Reserves on both mainland areas (Grande Montagne and Anse Quitor) and on islets (Ile Cocos and Ile aux Sables). Rodrigues is part of one of the world s biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspots but the Mascarenes may warrant being a separate hotspot. Rodrigues original fauna and flora is unique; however, it has suffered from the onslaught of four centuries of degradation, which has destroyed much of Rodrigues rich biodiversity. Surviving plants are reduced to a single individual or a handful of individuals or small isolated populations. To address species decline and forest fragmentation, MWF has focused much of its expertise on habitat and species restoration. Grande Montagne is a biodiversity rich region with high endemism (27 of the 39 remaining endemic rodriguan plants represented). Nearly 20 of the 25.5 ha fenced area (encompassing 13.76 ha of the officially declared Nature Reserve) has been restored to date. The once thought to be extinct caf marron (Ramosmania rodriguesii) is protected here along with other rare plants including the bois papaye (Badula balfourii), mandrinette (Hibiscus liliiflorus), bois lubine (Poupartia castanea), and Gouania leguatii, each having less than 10 individuals in the wild. Grande Montagne provides a habitat for the only 3 surviving endemic animals of Rodrigues (Rodrigues Warbler, Rodrigues Fody and Rodrigues Fruit Bat). Entomological research that MWF supports has led to discoveries of insects not previously known to Science. Through the planting of seedlings of endemic plants, this project will contribute to combating climate change through carbon dioxide sequestration and habitat creation is thought to be one of the best adaptations to climate change. The project also addresses Land Degradation and Sustainable Forest Management, major environmental issues in Rodrigues. The challenge this project intends to address directly is the protection and conservation of threatened endemic biodiversity, control of invasive alien species, and drastically reduced native Rodriguan forest cover. The primary objective of this project is to improve the biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of a protected area in Rodrigues through community-based actions. This project will build upon recent restoration efforts in Grande Montagne Nature Reserve, as 9 ha have undergone initial restoration since 2008. Other habitat restoration efforts in Rodrigues have been supported by GEF (World Bank and UNDP) with the collaboration of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (through the Forestry Service) and local communities. The restoration of Grande Montagne Nature Reserve project addresses both biodiversity and climate change challenges and helps to accomplish two of the SGP OP5 immediate objectives, specifically Immediate Objective 1 and 2. The project will have an important social component by employing local villagers to demonstrate that conservation is a provider of green jobs and will also involve the local communities. Through this project, MWF hopes to reinforce its team of local villagers for the restoration and maintenance of the nature reserve, restore 3 hectares of degraded forest with nursery grown native plants, remove invasive alien species from 9 hectares of recently restored plots, organize educational talks, tours, and Conservation Work Days to involve the local community, and develop educational material. MWF has recently developed a Grande Montagne Guide and hopes to be involved with ecotours within the reserve. 1.2 Organizational Background & Capacity to implement project 1.2.1 Background on the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is a Registered Charity (No.2134) established in 1984, and is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) registered (No. 1070). MWF works in close cooperation with the Government of Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA), formalised in two memorandums of understanding (MOU). The MOU with the RRA is attached. The headquarters is located in Vacoas, Mauritius and the Rodrigues branch is based in Solitude. MWF is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the application for membership to BirdLife International is being considered in the last week of March 2012 at their African regional meeting. MWF is the only national NGO to be exclusively concerned with the conservation of terrestrial endemic species and their habitats, and in Rodrigues has a specialization in ecosystems restoration. The principal objective of the organisation is to save threatened native and endemic species from extinction. MWF s projects are overseen by a council consisting of 15 members and supervised by the following senior managers: The organisation s work is overseen by an Executive Director The hands-on conservation work is advised by a Scientific Director, supported by the Conservation Manager, Flora Manager, and Fauna Manager In Rodrigues, MWF s conservation work is managed by the Rodrigues Manager, who manages a team of 13 full-time nursery, field, and education staff along with 8 contracted restoration labourers. 1.2.2 Purpose & Core activities of the MWF The principal purposes of MWF are: Save the thre

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