The Mai Ndombe REDD+ project works to protect a biodiverse section of tropical rainforest through investing in the health education, and agricultural techniques of the surrounding community.

Nature-based Intervention:

The Mai Ndombe Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Project works with local communities to protect 300,000 hectares of the Congo rainforest. The program does this by investing in reducing the drivers of deforestation through supporting the local community. The program worked to protect already forested areas and implemented reforestation in portions of the forest which had already been deforested. They also invested in community programs, such as constructing 10 schools and building a local health clinic to support community development. A large portion of the efforts to alleviate deforestation pressures also centers around the implementation of agroforestry and sustainable farming. The project has opened an agroforestry nursey and provided new crops and techniques to be utilized by the community in a way which can reduce extractive pressures on the forest system.

Overview of context and outcomes:

This area represents a large section highly valued area of rainforests which have been repeatedly targeted for logging concessions. There is major conflict in the region between large logging companies and the over 180,000 people which inhabit this forest. This also jeopardizes the rare species in the area and their habitat. This section of forest is home to chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), bonobos(Pan paniscus) and forest elephants(Loxodonta cyclotis); as well as unique wetland landscapes.