Biodiversity Conservation Programme Extended Annual Report ...

Western Range DSO Iron Ore Project, Liberia Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015

Biodiversity Conservation Programme

Extended Annual Report

July 2012 to December 2013

ArcelorMittal Liberia Ltd.

P.O. Box 1275 Tubman Boulevard at 15

th Street

Sinkor, Monrovia Liberia

T +231 77 018 056 F +231 77 008 264

www.arcelormittal.com

Western Range DSO Iron Ore Project, Liberia

Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Extended Annual Report, July 2012 to December 2013

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Contents

1. SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 4

2. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 The Programme ...................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 This Report .............................................................................................................................. 6

3. ACTIVITIES IN LATE 2012 AND 2013 ................................................................................... 7 3.1 Community Forestry Management Bodies .............................................................................. 7 3.2 Support to Improve the Management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve ............................. 8 3.2.1 Co-Management Committee ................................................................................................... 8 3.2.2 ENNR Management Plan Workshop ...................................................................................... 9 3.2.3 FFI Capacity Needs Assessment, Gap Analysis and Project Design ................................... 11 3.2.4 Development of ENNR Management Plan ........................................................................... 13 3.3 Collaboration with Conservation International ...................................................................... 14 3.4 Nimba Otter Shrew Conservation Project ............................................................................. 16 3.5 Pygmy Hippopotamus Survey ............................................................................................... 19 3.6 Livelihoods Research ............................................................................................................ 20 3.6.1 Non Timber Forest Product Utilisation Position Paper ......................................................... 20 3.6.2 Livelihoods Study and Value Chain Analysis ........................................................................ 20 3.7 Agriculture and Livelihoods Projects ..................................................................................... 22 3.7.1 Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. – Agriculture and Livelihoods Pilot Project ....................... 23 3.7.2 Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment – Conservation Agriculture ............ 25 3.7.3 Village Savings and Loans Association Training .................................................................. 28 3.8 Scholarships .......................................................................................................................... 30 3.8.1 BCP Scholarship Programme at Nimba Country Community College ................................. 30 3.8.2 Funding for Research at Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology ....................... 31 3.9 Other activities....................................................................................................................... 32 3.9.1 Sea Turtle and Mangrove Conservation Awareness Day ..................................................... 32 3.9.2 Mine Restoration Trials ......................................................................................................... 33 3.9.3 Sehyi-kimpa Community Tree Nursery Project ..................................................................... 35 3.9.4 Bat Translocations ................................................................................................................ 36 3.9.5 Nimba Transboundary Governance Platform ....................................................................... 37 3.9.6 Public Awareness and Education.......................................................................................... 38

4. PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAMME’S EXTENDED SECOND YEAR ................................ 40 4.1. Continuing the Programme ................................................................................................... 40 4.2. Change Management ............................................................................................................ 41 4.3. Initiating Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation .............................................. 43 4.4. Initiating Agricultural Intensification ....................................................................................... 46

5. FINANCIAL REPORT ........................................................................................................... 48 5.1 Summary of Expenditure in 2012 and 2013 .......................................................................... 48 5.2 Budgets for 2014 ................................................................................................................... 48

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................... 50 6.1 References Cited in this Report ............................................................................................ 50 6.2 List of BCP and other Biodiversity Reports Supported by ArcelorMittal ............................... 51



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List of Abbreviations AML ArcelorMittal Liberia

ARS Agricultural Relief Services Inc.

BCP Biodiversity Conservation Programme

CA Conservation Agriculture

CEPA Conservation, Education and Public Awareness

CI Conservation International

CF Community Forest

CFG Community Forest Guard

CFMA Community Forest Management Agreement

CFMB Community Forest Management Body

CFSNS Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey

CMA Co-Management Agreement

CMC Co-Management Committee

CMP

CPMC

Collaborative Management Plan

Community Project Management Committee

CSDF ArcelorMittal Liberia County Social Development Funds

DSO Direct Shipping Ore

ENNR East Nimba Nature Reserve

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

FDA Forestry Development Authority

GoL Government of Liberia

GPS Global Positioning System

ICS Improved Cook Stove

JCFMB Joint Community Forest Management Body

LFSP Liberia Forestry Support Programme

LHETP Liberia Handicap and Ex-Combatant Training Programme

LRCFP Land Rights and Community Forestry Project

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MRU Mano River Union

NBSF Nimba Biodiversity Stakeholders Forum

NCCC Nimba County Community College

NGO Non-governmental Organisation

NNPA Northern Nimba Planning Area

NTFP Non-timber Forest Product

PROSPER People, Rules and Organisations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources

SADS Skills and Agriculture Development Services

SAMFU Save My Future Foundation

SCTNP Sehyi-kimpa Community Tree Nursery Project

STEWARD Sustainable and Thriving Environments for West Africa Regional Development

SWOT

TOT

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Training of Trainers

UNESCO

VSLA

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

Village Savings and Loans Association



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1. SUMMARY

The Nimba Biodiversity Conservation Programme of ArcelorMittal Liberia ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) launched its Biodiversity Conservation Programme (BCP) in August 2011. This initiative is intended to compensate for the impacts of the mining of direct shipping ore (DSO) over the period of 2011 to 2015. This report documents the activities undertaken from June 2012 to December 2013 of the BCP. This Extended Annual Report is an updated version of the Annual Report for July 2012 to June 2013, and is produced in order to bring the programme’s reporting into line with calendar years and budgets. The first year of the programme involved extensive discussions, fact finding and evaluation, and building of relationships to develop the current programme strategy. This initial work provided an important foundation for the BCP’s continued work, which has seen the strengthening of partnerships with stakeholders through the implementation of a wide variety of activities and initiatives on the ground in northern Nimba. The programme continues to work in collaboration with AML’s Environmental Unit and Resettlement and Community Liaison Unit to ensure co-ordination between departments and consistency with regard to agriculture and livelihood projects. The BCP is working with a number of partners and stakeholders in Nimba on a range of projects which include the following.

Implementation of conservation agreements, a biodiversity conservation communications, education and public awareness campaign, initial land use planning research and quick impact projects by Conservation International (CI).

Signing of Memoranda of Understanding with the Blei Joint Community Forestry Management Body (JCFMB) and the Zor Community Forestry Management Body (CFMB), under which AML provides certain support.

Continuation of support for the Gba CFMB, under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in the previous year.

Support for improved management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) through working with the Co-Management Committee (CMC), including a capacity needs assessment, gap analysis and support project design for the CMC of the ENNR, and the development of a draft management plan for the ENNR conducted by Fauna and Flora International (FFI).

Implementation of pilot agriculture and livelihood projects in three communities in West Nimba by Agricultural Relief Services, Inc (ARS), including training in conservation agriculture, sustainable farming methods, integrated pest management and tree crops.

Piloting of conservation agriculture in communities around the ENNR by the Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment (RICCE).

Training of NGO partners in community-led microfinance schemes.

Completion of an oil palm value chain assessment and an investigation of continuous cropping opportunities in Nimba (consultant).

Pilot research project and assessment of the role of sustainable non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction in conservation in Nimba (consultant).

Collaborative work with People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER), a development programme funded by USAID, to train community forest guards (CFG) in data collection techniques.

Continuation of the scholarship programme for students wishing to study associate degrees in Natural Resource Management and Forestry at Nimba County Community College (NCCC).

Support for a community tree nursery project.

In-depth butterfly studies in the ENNR and Gba Community Forest.

Ongoing research for the Nimba Otter Shrew Conservation Project and continued capacity building of the field team.

The partnership has continued with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) are now in place with all three of the CFMBs in the BCP’s operational area, and offices have been constructed as their work bases. Also at the community and forest interface, FFI’s capacity needs assessment and gap analysis identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the CMC in managing the ENNR. The assessment provided a list of straightforward and realistic capacity interventions to improve the management of the reserve.



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The BCP’s partnership with CI has continued under a four-year collaborative framework agreement and the implementation of conservation agreements with six communities is underway. A quick impact project involving the distribution of 180 improved cookstoves in the six communities was completed in November 2013 in partnership with Sjedi as part of the conservation agreement process. A workshop ensured CMC and CFMB members were trained in the conservation agreement model so that a consistent message goes out to the communities. In addition, the first phase of a communications, education and public awareness (CEPA) campaign which focused on the impacts of shifting cultivation, hunting, artisanal mining and NTFP collection has been conducted in communities around the ENNR, and four school environmental clubs and an environmental forum at NCCC have been established. Preparations to implement environmental clubs in an additional ten schools in Nimba are underway and the public awareness campaign will continue with new materials. Two pilot projects have been implemented to develop a strategy to stabilise shifting agriculture through improvements to existing practices, such as conservation agriculture (CA) methods, microfinance schemes, and the introduction of agricultural intensification and livelihood diversification projects. The programme engaged ARS and RICCE to pilot CA, and over 300 people are being trained in this farming method. A livelihoods and value chain study assessed continuous cropping opportunities and has provided solid recommendations for future research to be implemented in 2014. Education and capacity building have continued to be an important part of BCP activities. Scholarships for students of Natural Resource Management and Forestry at NCCC have continued, bringing the total number of students sponsored to forty. A Liberian field team has been trained in small mammal survey techniques to undertake research on the Nimba Otter Shrew. The team has successfully carried out three live trapping surveys since their training with Dr Ara Monadjem (a leading small mammal specialist) in January 2012. December 2013 has seen the start of a telemetry survey whereby the Nimba Otter shrew will be radio-tracked to investigate its behaviour and habitat use. The two students that were sponsored by the BCP to undertake mini research projects at the Max Plank Institute in Germany have completed their studies. Clement Tweh and Menladi Lormie analysed data from the first nationwide chimpanzee survey, and the resulting research paper has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Capacity building of our partners has also continued with a Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) Training of Trainers Workshop held in November 2013. Members of ARS, RICCE and the CFMBs received training in how to deliver, manage and train others in the VSLA model of independent community-managed microfinance. The last 18 months of the BCP has seen the implementation of a number of projects, many of which have led to the development of larger contracts. FFI has followed on from its CMC capacity building project to develop a draft management plan for the ENNR, and it is envisaged that implementation of the management plan and a long term capacity building project for the CMC will be established in 2014. ARS and RICCE have extended their six-month pilot projects to continue for another six to eighteen months as the next stage in what needs to be a long term strategy. Adoption of new farming techniques takes time and is a progressive process; to be able to measure the success of these projects they will require further extended timelines in the future depending on outputs and performance. Managing expectations and promoting the change from relief to sustainable development remains an important challenge for the BCP (as it does for all of Liberia’s development partners as they grapple with implementing the transition from the population’s familiarity with immediate post-war relief to the differing self-help principles required for long term development). A significant achievement for all partners and stakeholders is the consensus on the management objectives for the ENNR. The former Land Rights and Community Forestry Project (LRCFP) had previously facilitated the process to resolve the difficulties between the FDA and the communities surrounding the reserve. The Co-Management Agreement (CMA), signed in 2010, was a major step forward in bringing the communities to the fore in its management. This year, PROSPER took the lead in bringing together stakeholders to clarify their position and interests with regard to the ENNR and land use planning in Nimba. This helped to identify common areas of interest and provided the basis for constructive discussion about the immediate future of the ENNR. The subsequent workshop, organised by the BCP in partnership with CI, resulted in consensus for the ENNR to be managed as a strict nature reserve for the next five years, on the basis that communities will benefit from livelihood improvement and development projects.



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2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 The Programme ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Biodiversity Conservation Programme is intended to compensate for the damage caused by its mining of DSO over the period of 2011 to 2015. It aims to provide an alternative to the changed environment that cannot be mitigated through avoidance, minimisation or rectification. The programme is focused on the terrestrial biological environment (soils, plants and animals) but addresses them through measures that are technical or socio-economic according to the needs perceived by the stakeholders involved. The programme is based on three premises: that DSO mining will mean that up to 500 hectares of land is likely to be seriously affected as an agriculture-forest resource for several generations of people in northern Nimba; that ArcelorMittal’s role in enhancing overall development in this part of Liberia will have long term impacts on the rural environment; and that these changes will reduce some areas of habitat for the rich biodiversity demonstrated by the company’s environmental baseline surveys. There are consequently two main thrusts to the programme, focused respectively on agricultural intensification and forest conservation, working with the one to achieve the other. In forest conservation the programme will assist the communities and the FDA to develop an improved model of joint forest management. This will aim to agree, gazette and implement rational and sustainable areas of conservation and utilisation across all forest areas in northern Nimba. It will ensure that there is better quality, more biodiverse forest in the long term, and that production areas are sustainable. Through agricultural intensification, the traditional extensive system of shifting cultivation will be enhanced through the introduction of low technology improvements. These will ensure food security through an initial focus on food crops, but will also promote stabilisation of farming through greater use of tree crops in agroforestry systems. Long term improvements in livelihoods will be developed that reduce people’s dependence on forest resources, through tree crop and livestock production, better marketing and alternative enterprises. The vision of the programme is the establishment of a Northern Nimba Planning Area (NNPA), which should allow multiple land uses to co-exist in appropriate designated zones, and promote development based on the maintenance of a biodiverse, healthy environment. The programme is working over a much larger area of land than the company is affecting with mining, and is not aiming just to compensate for the impacts of its operation, but also to address the ongoing anthropogenic pressures on Nimba’s forests that are caused by a growing population, destructive land practices and unsustainable resource use. On its own the company cannot ensure that the forests of Nimba can be sustained in perpetuity, but it can use the time of its tenureship of the mineral resources to assist others to achieve that goal.

2.2 This Report The BCP commenced work in mid-2011, shortly after ArcelorMittal started mining at Mount Tokadeh. Initially the programme’s work was reported on an annual basis starting from inception. However, as all other company budgets and reporting work on a calendar year basis, this extended annual report has been produced to bring the BCP into line with calendar years. It therefore incorporates the annual report for mid-2012 to mid-2013 with an update to cover the ensuing period to the end of 2013. Future reports will be on the basis of calendar years.



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3. ACTIVITIES IN LATE 2012 AND 2013 3.1 Community Forestry Management Bodies The BCP continues to work closely with the Gba and Zor CFMBs and the Blei JCFMB in collaboration with PROSPER. MoUs were signed with Zor in July and Blei in August 2012, under which the company committed to providing an office building and equipment to assist CFMB/JCFMB operations, and support for CFGs to protect the Zor (1140 ha) and Blei (639 ha) community forests. Commitments from the Zor CFMB and Blei JCFMB include the establishment of a network of CFGs and a business plan to show when, within a maximum of three years, they expect to be able to purchase replacement uniforms, and assume responsibility for field expenses and running costs of the office headquarters. Support from AML will be decreased each year. Since the signing, both office buildings have been completed and stationery materials donated. All three CFMB office buildings (Gba, Zor and Blei) were constructed by local contractor Liberia Handicap and Ex-combatant Training Program (LHETP). PROSPER has organised several CFG training workshops which the BCP has participated in to assist with GPS and data collection training. The CFGs commenced patrolling in August 2013 and each month the data is submitted to the BCP and PROSPER. Under the MoU, all CFGs have received uniforms, waterproofs and rubber boots, as well as torches and tarpaulins for use on patrols, and the BCP is providing funds to the CFMBs in order to facilitate the CFGs work. In partnership with PROSPER, financial support for the re-cleaning and demarcation of the Blei and Zor Community Forests boundaries in November 2013 was also provided. Figure 1. Blei JCFMB and ArcelorMittal MoU signing ceremony

Strong partnerships with the CFMBs and JCFMB have been fundamental to the achievements of the BCP, as these institutions represent the communities; and community support is vital for the success of the programme. The former LRCFP and the Liberia Forestry Support Programme (LFSP) had helped to facilitate this relationship and the BCP will continue to collaborate with PROSPER in working with the CFMBs to support the sustainable management of the CFs. The CFMBs have been involved in all of the programme’s activities under our contract with Conservation International (CI), such as community engagement and feasibility assessments for conservation agreements, and biodiversity conservation communication, education and public awareness.



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Figure 2. Contractor, Zor CFMB members and CFG’s at the newly constructed office in Dulay

The Gba CFMB assisted the BCP to conduct public awareness about its scholarship programme at NCCC in July 2012. The objectives of the awareness were to inform the communities about the scholarships programme, provide clarity about the application process and conditions of the scholarship and solicit questions and concerns for feedback to the BCP co-ordinator. The team visited 10 Gba communities and 290 people participated in the awareness. A final report was submitted and has since been used to demonstrate the awareness activities for the scholarship to external stakeholders. The company has recently published its biodiversity mapping which show the distribution of species of conservation concern in Nimba. Copies have been provided to partners and stakeholders including the CFMBs, JCFMB and PROSPER to provide biological information for CF management. This work, which emerged from the studies undertaken in the company’s environmental and social impact assessments, has significant application in helping the various partners to understand where best to focus their forest management activities.

3.2 Support to Improve the Management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve

3.2.1 Co-Management Committee The BCP has continued working with partners to help operationalise the CMC. Regular meetings organised by LFSP and then PROSPER were held in Sanniquellie where discussions focused on how to get the CMC up and running, and then actions for implementation. The CMC has since developed by-laws and a constitution with input from partners, and an annual work plan was put forward for partners to consider which activities they could support. However there was a challenge in moving forward with the work plan due to there being no management plan in place for the ENNR. Subsequent discussions led to a consensus that the CMC should not lie dormant whilst the issue of the management plan was resolved, and that it was possible for some activities to be implemented. It was agreed that the CMC would conduct a public awareness campaign in order to inform the communities about the co-management agreement and explain to them about the establishment of



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the CMC, its composition, roles and responsibilities. The awareness would update the communities on recent activities of the committee and allow for any questions or concerns from community members to be raised and addressed. A draft proposal was submitted to partners for input and finalised in November. The BCP agreed to facilitate the awareness campaign, which was then successfully conducted by CMC members in 18 towns around the ENNR. A comprehensive report was produced (and disseminated to partners) which listed the questions and concerns raised during the awareness meetings. The majority of questions were about community benefits and provision of livelihoods to communities situated around the reserve. Recommendations from the CMC following the awareness campaign included the following.

1. AML management should allow community people that are living around ArcelorMittal-controlled areas to use the landscape outside the ENNR demarcation but within Yekepa community for sustainable livelihood activities to stop them from entering the ENNR forest.

2. Conservation partners should provide sustainable livelihood programmes around the ENNR.

3. The management plan for ENNR is to be prepared and taken to the communities for review.

4. The CMC is to be supported by partners in conducting awareness in the three bordering countries (Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast) about the encroachment of ENNR by People from the three countries.

These concerns were again raised during a subsequent meeting held soon afterwards, and so are discussed in the next section.

3.2.2 ENNR Management Plan Workshop An underlying but fundamental issue that had to be addressed before proceeding with the development of a management plan was for consensus to be reached about the management objectives of the ENNR. Before the signing of the CMA, the area was established as a strict nature reserve. The signing of the CMA brought about discussion regarding effective management and whether access for NTFP collection should be formalised as a way of improving the reserve’s status, reducing illegal activities and protecting Liberian Nimba’s biodiversity. Some felt that co-management meant access for sustainable use, whilst others were of the opinion that the inclusion of communities on the management committee did not preclude the park from being managed as a strict nature reserve. PROSPER took the lead in furthering this discussion by organising a stakeholder meeting to identify mutual interests, issues to be addressed and objectives regarding future management of the ENNR and landscape planning in northern Nimba. Following on from this, the BCP sponsored an ENNR Management Plan Workshop in Ganta from 24 to 26 April 2013, in partnership with Conservation International. The main objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Develop a common understanding of a vision for ENNR and the surrounding communities;

2. Clarify the ways in which biodiversity conservation can co-exist with community aspirations and expectations;

3. Agree on the needed immediate and mid-term actions (one to five years) for ENNR management, which will lead into a longer term management plan;

4. Agree roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders; and

5. Determine the next steps and way forward, including monitoring, to ensure progress.

A stakeholder participation methodology was used in order to reach consensus and develop an interim management plan for the reserve. Altogether 42 participants attended the workshop including representatives from local communities, the ENNR-CMC, community forestry management bodies, government, and local and international conservation and development NGOs. Throughout the workshop, participants were asked a series of questions designed to lead to an agreed vision for the ENNR and a strategy to realise the vision. To begin with, participants clarified stakeholder priorities and interests, identified the issues to be addressed, and the challenges and



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opportunities in the region. Participants were then asked to consider what they wanted the ENNR and its management to look like in five years’ time, how this could be achieved and how easy it would be to achieve. The conditions and requirements that would have the most positive impact on the ENNR were then prioritised, and seven thematic areas developed from these objectives and rated for further discussion and development including:

1. Effective co-management structure with clear role and responsibilities;

2. Effective broad stakeholder and community participation and engagement;

3. Effective human resources and capacitated people and management in place;

4. ENNR is delivering biodiversity benefits through effective conservation management using effective tools like conservation agreements;

5. ENNR is addressing and influencing the broader development / livelihoods agenda through effective co-management;

6. Developing eco-tourism in the ENNR and research capacity;

7. Sustainable finance mechanism established for future management; and

8. Effective management plan in place. Building on these responses, a long term vision for the ENNR was proposed and agreed whereby:

ENNR will become a role model for biodiversity conservation by co-management between the Government, communities and stakeholders for the benefit of everyone; and

ENNR will be the best protected area in Liberia and will be famous internationally for co-management eco-tourism and research.

During the first day a debate arose about the legality of the CMC which led some participants to question the recognition of the CMC as a legal entity by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). However, this issue was resolved through a formal statement given by the Acting Managing Director of the FDA, Honourable Harrison Karnwea, that the Act creating the ENNR and the CMA were both legal and the FDA respects the current co-management agreement as legal and binding. Furthermore, the FDA agrees that local communities must be part of ENNR management. The second day involved developing a strategy to realise the vision. Actions that could be implemented in the next 6 months were discussed and agreed including:

1. Establish a technical guidance committee;

2. Develop a management plan for the ENNR;

3. Procure a consultant to write the management plan;

4. Develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for CMC members in order to define roles and responsibilities;

5. Identify quick impact projects for conservation agreements;

6. Finalise two conservation agreements;

7. Collate data from all partners related to the ENNR for the management planning process;

8. Refine budget and solicit funding to facilitate ENNR management;

9. Provision of basic equipment and materials for ENNR operations;

10. Define roles and responsibilities of the FDA auxiliaries (develop ToR);

11. Review and harmonize the Act establishing the ENNR and the Co-Management Agreement;

12. Re-clean the ENNR boundary;

13. Agree an appropriate government structure;

14. Partners to clarify their roles and specify commitments to the management of the ENNR;

15. Public awareness and education about the biological significance of the ENNR;

16. Establish research priorities; and

17. Clean the road to the ENNR.



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Partners were requested to consider the actions and to state formally the roles and commitments they were able to undertake in the overall implementation process. The BCP committed to the following:

1. Start identifying research priorities (based on a review of ESIA, biodiversity maps, etc);

2. Support gap filling butterfly surveys in ENNR;

3. Continue working towards longer term commitment (2016 to 2034);

4. Provide two GPS units to CMC - provide more once active patrols prove they are needed;

5. Continue piloting conservation agriculture in communities around ENNR;

6. Support conservation agreements through CI;

7. Participate in the ENNR Management Plan committee;

8. Fund consultant to write ENNR Management Plan; and

9. AML Environmental Officer to work with EPA to devise guidelines for environmental appraisal of conservation agreement projects.

Since the workshop the BCP has donated two GPS units to the CMC and organised butterfly surveys in the ENNR. Butterfly consultant Szabolcs Safian recently completed a two phase survey to re-assess the butterfly fauna through an in-depth study of the ENNR, and to establish the basis of a long term butterfly monitoring system. Nimba Otter Shrew surveys also continued in August 2013, surveying sites in and around the reserve to investigate the ecology, status and distribution of this endangered species and a telemetry study has just started this December. In addition, the CMC has submitted a proposal to the BCP for re-cleaning the boundary of the park, which has been approved pending the CMC opening a bank account for the funds to be deposited. The CMC has secured NGO accreditation with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, which is an essential precursor to the setting up of a bank account. AML management came to an arrangement with the CMC to clean the sides of the roads leading up to the Cellcom Tower and the Blue Lake, and has agreed to facilitate the construction of sheltered seating at a stunning hilltop viewpoint within the reserve. A full workshop report has been produced and disseminated to participants and stakeholders. Following an initial meeting funded by PROSPER to update community leaders about the outcomes of the workshop, the CMC is planning a wider public awareness campaign to be facilitated by the BCP.

3.2.3 FFI Capacity Needs Assessment, Gap Analysis and Project Design The BCP contracted FFI to conduct a capacity needs assessment for the CMC in March 2013. The project strategy was guided by the IUCN’s standard framework for capacity needs assessments and incorporated a gap analysis to clarify the current situation, a vision for the future and how to achieve that vision. The methodology included interviews with the CMC and FDA auxiliaries, followed by a workshop in Sanniquellie and presentation of the results to stakeholders for input. The three-day workshop began by asking participants to identify why they think the ENNR is important, followed by a SWOT analysis for each group including FDA-CMC members, community CMC members and FDA auxiliaries. Participants were requested to share their vision for the ENNR, which generated a list of future hopes and expectations rather than a vision for the management of the reserve; therefore the vision exercise was re-visited on day three. Hopes and expectations for the reserve included: all three groups want the ENNR to be well protected; both community and FDA-CMC members think the ENNR needs a management plan; that alternative livelihoods should be provided for communities around the reserve; and that the ENNR should be financially independent, have adequate resources and well trained management and staff. The FDA auxiliaries wished to be fully employed (they are regarded as volunteers and as such receive US$30 per month from the FDA as compensation for their time), and expected external assistance for the ENNR from international and national NGO’s and for the park to be well managed.



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Participants were asked to list their roles and responsibilities, and then conducted a self-assessment by identifying the capacity needs required for them to fulfil their duties and the level of capacity they have for each. Building on the results of the assessment, a detailed list of training requirements was devised. All expressed a desire for computer training, biomonitoring training, GPS and reporting. FDA-CMC members and auxiliaries both highlighted a need for law enforcement techniques and tourist guide training, whilst communities listed conflict management, project planning, conservation and forest resource management, and training in awareness and mobilisation. A vision for the ENNR was developed at the workshop which reads as follows:

ENNR will become a role model for biodiversity conservation by co-management between the Government, communities and stakeholders for the benefit of everyone; and

ENNR will be the best protected area in Liberia and will be famous internationally for co-management eco-tourism and research.

This vision was presented at the subsequent ENNR Management Plan Workshop in Ganta and gained consensus from all stakeholders present at the meeting (see section 3.2.2 above). An important result that came out of the workshop was clarification about the role of the FDA auxiliaries in CMC operations. Until then they had not been considered as part of the human resource available to the CMC to utilise in the daily activities required in managing the park. The issue of community forest guards (CFG) for the ENNR has been discussed but not resolved at previous CMC meetings, with suggestions ranging from requesting the Blei CFGs to assist with ENNR patrols, to training new CFGs specifically for the reserve. The auxiliaries are an existing group of community members that have been working alongside the FDA in and around the ENNR for a number of years. It was agreed that the auxiliaries can serve as an important link between the communities and the FDA, and should be provided with daily paid employment through the CMC. Gaps identified by CMC members and FDA auxiliaries at the workshop include:

Funding for CMC operations;

Management plan

Means to deliver “alternative livelihoods”;

Means to deliver “benefit sharing”;

Improved pay for auxiliaries;

Training;

Tourism facilities / trained guides;

Transport and equipment is limited;

Contradiction between CMC Agreement and ENNR Act; and

Increased cross-border collaboration. The results of the CMC workshop were presented at the ENNR Management Plan Workshop in Ganta in April. All 42 participants at the workshop agreed with the CMC’s vision for the ENNR and many of the gaps identified by the CMC were also listed by other stakeholders during the Ganta workshop. The capacity assessment and gap analysis report presents an overall SWOT analysis for the ENNR and its management, taking into account the results from the same analysis carried out by participants at the Sanniquellie workshop. The results of the SWOT are used to generate a list of capacity strengthening interventions with associated action plans to address the identified gaps, weaknesses and threats, and take advantage of the strengths and opportunities. Issues highlighted in the report include the contradiction between the Act Creating the ENNR (2003) and the Co-Management Agreement (2010) with regard to the sustainable use of forest resources or strict protection, and the need for a management plan, the lack of which is seriously hampering any progress with CMC operations and improving management of the reserve. Four broad areas are identified for interventions including the following.

The need for common vision and agreement about how the ENNR should be managed. This has been resolved for the near future due to stakeholders reaching a consensus on a vision and an agreement that the ENNR should be managed as a strict nature reserve for the next five years, with communities benefiting through conservation agreements.



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Adequate resources including long term funding for reserve operations and conservation agreements. The BCP is currently looking into long term financing options for conservation in northern Nimba under its proposed Phase 2 Offset Programme, in partnership with CI.

Training. This will be included as part of a long term capacity building project once a management plan has been produced.

Increased awareness about the importance and benefit of the ENNR and biodiversity conservation. CI has implemented a biodiversity conservation CEPA campaign in northern Nimba. This will continue in the second year of their partnership with the BCP. Specific awareness to raise the profile of the park and the biodiversity it contains should be developed and ongoing as part of the management strategy.

3.2.4 Development of ENNR Management Plan The BCP contracted FFI to produce a management plan for the ENNR. Protected Area Specialist, Phil Marshall arrived in Liberia in October 2013 and began the process by reviewing existing information, reports and activities pertaining to the reserve. This included interviews with actors working in Nimba, community consultations and mapping the park boundary. An exercise to identify and zone stakeholders around the ENNR was held between the CMC and the BCP Coordinator at the end of October in Yekepa. The purpose of the discussion was to develop rational criteria for identifying communities within the stakeholder zone. Maps were provided for participants to look at and initial considerations included:

which communities are closest to the reserve

who exploits the resources in the reserve

which communities use the reserve the most and who are the communities that travel the farthest distances to use ENNR resources

land ownership Each CMC member listed the communities they consider to be primary and secondary stakeholders. The lists were presented to the group with an explanation as to why the communities were considered primary or secondary. From this a final listing of primary and secondary stakeholders was produced and a set of draft criteria developed for further discussion and refinement with FFI. Primary stakeholder criteria (draft)

1. Common boundary line with the ENNR (community boundary adjoins the ENNR) 2. Interact with the ENNR on a daily basis 3. The majority of the community members are ENNR resource users (NTFPs, hunters, farming,

herbs/medicine) 4. Community members have crops in the ENNR 5. Easy/direct access to the ENNR

Secondary stakeholder criteria (draft)

1. Seasonal users of resources from within the ENNR (NTFPs, herbs/medicine, hunting) 2. No common boundary with the ENNR 3. Have indirect access to ENNR (e.g. community members have to pass through one town to

access the ENNR) 4. Less ENNR resource users than primary stakeholder communities

A draft management plan was submitted in December 2013 along with a powerpoint presentation to be used by CMC members to present and discuss the management plan with identified stakeholder communities. The CMC received two days training from FFI in community outreach in preparation for conducting a public consultation programme, whereby the management plan will be presented in summary form and feedback recorded. Follow up training and finalisation of the powerpoint presentation will be conducted by FFI before the public consultation takes place in February 2014. Comments and inputs from all stakeholders will be incorporated and the final management plan will



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be validated at a workshop. As part of the outputs for this contract FFI will submit a proposal for implementation of the management plan.

3.3 Collaboration with Conservation International One year on from signing a four year collaborative framework agreement with CI, significant progress has been made and a strong partnership established. The main activities included in the first year project terms of reference included: advice on zoning of conservation areas; scoping and assessment of sustainable finance and governance opportunities for conservation in Nimba and for the BCP; and design and implementation of a strategy for conservation education, public awareness and communications. These activities were carried out in close collaboration with the BCP Co-ordinator who joined the field teams and provided input on other parts of the work. Phase 2 of implementing Conservation Agreements (CA) has continued following the completion of feasibility assessments in nine communities in March 2012. The assessments showed that the implementation of conservation agreements is feasible at 6 sites – 3 surrounding the East Nimba Nature Reserve (Sehtontuo, Dulay and Geipa) and 3 in West Nimba (Leagbala, Bapa and Camp 4). RICCE and Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS) were contracted by CI as implementing partners for the engagement phase following their completion of the feasibility assessments. Engagement involved presenting the conservation agreement model to the potential partner, and provided the platform and ground rules for the design and negotiation of the agreement. The aim of the engagement phase was to explain what a conservation agreement is and how it works, resulting in a mutual decision to proceed with the development of specific agreement terms. Benefits from conservation to the communities have not been forthcoming since the establishment of the reserve; therefore it was felt that there needed to be a show of action, whilst the CAs are being developed, so that the communities can see how such agreements can bring positive change. A total of 180 improved cook stoves (ICS) were distributed in 6 communities in November 2013 as part of the engagement process, accompanied by ICS training workshops to inform people about the benefits of using ICS compared to the traditional three stone fire. These benefits include improved health due to less emissions; poverty reduction as both the coal and wood models require less fuel, therefore less money is spent on charcoal and less time is spent looking for fuel wood; deforestation is reduced; and increased cooking efficiency results in more time for other activities (see www.sjedi.org). The strategy for a biodiversity conservation communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) campaign commenced with a “4P Workshop” at Sanniquellie in November 2012. The 4P approach is a tool developed by CI which focuses on Problems, Publics, Products and Plan, in order to design comprehensive awareness strategies. Priority objectives of the CEPA strategy were agreed and included raising awareness and education about the impacts of slash and burn farming, bushmeat hunting, alluvial mining, unsustainable fishing practices and destructive collection of non-timber forest products. It was stipulated that the strategy should promote behaviour change by using culturally appropriate messages, and ensure gender and social inclusion. The outputs of this workshop were used to develop resource materials such as radio jingles and broadcasts, theatre performances, stickers, calendars, posters and tee shirts. The CI team visited 17 communities during the awareness campaign which involved theatre troop performances, presentation and discussion of the best practice posters and dissemination of the tee shirts and other promotional materials to raise awareness and promote behaviour change. In addition, CI launched the Nimba Conservation Forum for students at Nimba County Community College. The forum opened in April 2013 with a theatre troop performance and presentations including “Integrating Communities and Conservation in Guyana” by Curtis Bernard (Protected Area Specialist, CI), “Conservation in Liberia” by Theo Freeman (Technical Manager for Conservation, FDA) and “Importance of Natural Capital” by Heidi Ruffler, (Technical Advisor, Africa and Madagascar Field Division, CI).

http://www.sjedi.org/



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Figure 3. Winners of the ecostove raffle in Dulay – 40 women received improved wood cookstoves in this community

Two teachers’ workshops have been conducted by the CI team and the BCP coordinator. The first workshop in April was to plan implementation of the environmental clubs. This included a review of the lesson plan material and strategy for the clubs. Four environmental clubs were formally opened the following week in local schools – Gbapa, Zolowee, Yekepa and Zortapa. The summer term concluded in July with a visit to the ENNR for the environmental club members. Children learnt about Nimba’s biodiversity and the importance of the reserve, followed by a quiz on the modules studied at the clubs so far. A site visit to the RICCE project in Zortapa provided the opportunity for the children to learn about conservation agriculture and the day ended with an inter-sports competition. Unfortunately the club at Yekepa School received limited interest from the students; therefore the approach and teaching materials are being reviewed for the current semester. The school is due to receive a number of computers and internet access which presents a useful opportunity for on-line learning. The second workshop was conducted in November 2013 and provided a platform for the environmental club facilitators to report on progress, successes and challenges so far and exchange ideas for improvement. The Company has continued discussions with CI to see how best it can meet the commitment made at the Summit for Sustainability in Africa held in Gabarone, Botswana, in May 2012. ArcelorMittal supported the Gaborone Declaration along with nineteen other signatories and representatives, and ten African countries including Liberia, to:

“... ensure that the contributions of natural capital to sustainable economic growth, maintenance and improvement of social capital and human well-being are quantified and integrated into development and business practice.”

A senior leadership visit in November 2013 from CI’s Executive Vice President for Ecosystem Markets, Jennifer Morris, Lilian Spijkerman with the Center for Environment and Peace (public funding) and Country Director for CI Liberia Jessica Donovan-Allen, provided a great opportunity for further discussion about the long term vision for the BCP and the partnership with CI. The visit also helped to highlight the work being undertaken through this partnership to the Nimba County Authorities.



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Figure 4. Environmental Club, Glee Dokpah Public School, Zortapa (photo courtesy of B. Sayon, CI)

3.4 Nimba Otter Shrew Conservation Project Recommendations from the 2010 bushmeat and biomonitoring study conducted by CI and Sylvatrop include a general management action plan for conservation. One of the actions listed is a specific Nimba Otter Shrew Protection Project to locate areas of high importance in the concession for protection and management. The Nimba otter shrew is classified as Endangered and is endemic to Mount Nimba. It is listed in the top 100 Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species; hence, the Nimba otter shrew is one of the most important species for conservation in the ArcelorMittal concession. Very little is known about its distribution and ecology, and so further research is required for effective conservation measures to ensure its long term survival in the area. A project has since been established by the BCP, led by Professor Ara Monadjem, a small mammal specialist at the University of Swaziland who had previously conducted small mammal surveys for the ArcelorMittal Phase 1 and 2 ESIAs. The aim of the Nimba Otter Shrew Conservation Project is to investigate the ecology, status and distribution of the otter shrew in northern Nimba. Results from previous surveys were synthesised and a detailed literature review was also conducted to assess how much is known about the species’ global distribution, habitat selection, foraging ecology and demography, in order to identify gaps in knowledge and develop recommendations to aid otter shrew conservation. The project started in January 2013 and so far three intensive trapping surveys have been conducted – two during the dry season and one in the 2013 wet season as this report was being written. The first survey was used to assess which trapping techniques were most suitable to capture live individuals. A mixture of camera traps, and two types of funnel traps (traditional bamboo baskets and home-made traps made from chicken wire) were deployed during the first 17-day survey, while interviews with local hunters provided additional information on species presence and distribution. Camera traps were set at seven locations and over 100 home-made traps were deployed at 37 sites within the concession. A total of five individuals were captured in January and a further four collected from local hunters. All individuals were measured and released. Including the results from the January survey, 23 records of the Nimba otter shrew (including footprints, spoor and live captures) have been observed in the concession since 2009. The camera traps captured only one unconfirmed picture of this species, so it was concluded that camera traps are not an efficient means of surveying for the Nimba otter shrew and this technique has been omitted from subsequent survey methodology. Initial analysis from the



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January survey tested for a correlation between otter shrew presence and certain parameters related to its habitat including: stream width, stream depth, flow rate, dissolved solids, water conductivity and pH; however the data suggests that only stream depth is related to species presence and this is probably because deeper streams harbour more crabs which is the main prey of the otter shrew’s diet, rather than because of a specific biological requirement. Figure 5. Endangered and endemic: the Nimba otter shrew has a very restricted range centred on the Nimba Mountains in Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia (photo courtesy of A. Monadjem)

The project had an important capacity building component in that a Liberian field team was fully trained to be able to continue the survey work independently. David B. Carl, an undergraduate from the University of Liberia; Peter Farnloe and Moses Darpay, auxiliaries from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) have since conducted two further surveys in and around the East Nimba Nature Reserve. A total of three individuals were caught and released in April, but unfortunately no individuals were trapped during the August survey due to heavy rains disturbing and in some cases washing the traps away. The findings from the initial survey have provided much needed information about the otter shrew’s habitat requirements and refined the survey methodology for this endangered species. Recommendations include the following.

Extending the habitat survey to cover both the wet and dry seasons. This has already commenced with surveys conducted in April and August, and a planned survey for December 2013.

Telemetry study. Following the results of the trapping survey which confirmed it is possible to capture enough live individuals to make such research possible, radio tracking of this animal is now underway. Professor Monadjem visited in December 2013 to test the methodology and train the team in radio-tracking techniques. The species is nocturnal so the field team are tracking individuals throughout the night. This survey will allow important information to be gathered about the way the otter shrew uses its habitat and spaces itself within its habitat. This is hugely exciting, particularly as this is the first study of its kind for this particular species.



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Prey availability study. Research is required to determine if the mining operation is having any impact on the prey of the Nimba otter shrew (mainly crabs and catfish), as any reduction in prey density will obviously have a negative impact on otter shrew populations in the concession. The BCP is attempting to find a suitably qualified specialist to conduct such a survey.

Publication of research. It is intended that the data gathered from this project will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and an additional booklet containing all the information known about the Nimba otter shrew produced. The report on the results of the January survey was distributed to all partners and stakeholders including the CFMBs, government entities, international and national NGOs and development projects.

Figure 6. Building conservation capacity: the Nimba otter shrew field survey team (photo courtesy of A. Monadjem)

Figure 6. Prof. Ara Monadjem training the NOS field team radio tracking survey techniques



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3.5 Pygmy Hippopotamus Survey During a visit to Bonlah the BCP co-ordinator received reports from a local hunter that he had seen footprints of the pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) near the St John River. The pygmy hippo is an endangered species, endemic to West Africa with only an estimated 2000 to 3000 individuals left in the wild. The largest populations are thought to occur in central and south-eastern Liberia and a joint camera trapping survey by FFI, the Zoological Society of London and the FDA, captured the first images of the pygmy hippo in Liberia from the Sapo National Park in 2011. No up-to-date reports exist for the populations in the north-west of the country; therefore any information concerning the presence of this species is very exciting and must be investigated as a matter of priority. Current threats to pygmy hippo populations include habitat loss from deforestation, hunting and regional conflicts, and furthermore, protection for this species and enforcement of protection in Liberia is limited (Lewison and Oliver, 2008). The pygmy hippo is nocturnal and very secretive; hence there is a paucity of data regarding its ecology – although recent research conducted by Dr April Conway (University of Georgia) on pygmy hippos in Sierra Leone has helped to address some of the knowledge gaps. The BCP facilitated a field survey led by FDA biologist Korvah Vayanbah to corroborate the reports in April 2013. Unfortunately when the team reached the site the area had been completely cleared for farming so it was not possible to mount any camera traps; however some footprints were still visible which were photographed. The photos were forwarded to Dr Conway for confirmation; however the evidence was inconclusive. A second visit to the site to collect more pictures of the footprints yielded the same results. Local hunter Austin Kai has been monitoring the area, and trails and footprints have reportedly been observed at a second site. The next step is for the field team to deploy camera traps where possible to confirm the presence of this elusive species. If a pygmy hippopotamus was present at the site that was cleared for farming, there is a possibility it may return later in or after the harvest season, as the species is known to feed on post-harvest regrowth such as Triumfetta cordifolia and Ipomoea species. It is also reported to have a fondness for sweet potato and okra. The field report from the first visit was submitted to the EPA and FDA, and the team will continue to keep the authorities updated on any future results. Figure 7. Forest buffalo (S. c. nanus) captured during camera trap survey in the forests of West Nimba



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Two camera traps were deployed at the end of August for one month at sites where hunters reported observing what they thought were pygmy hippopotamus tracks. The results from the first month show that forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) are still present in West Nimba, outside of the Gba Community forest. The African Buffalo is classified as least concern and is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa; however four subspecies of African buffalo are recognised, of which the forest buffalo is one. Forest buffalo populations are declining in most of its range and its survival will depend upon protection of viable populations in protected areas and sustainable management of hunting outside parks and reserves. Other species recorded include bushbuck (Tregalaphus scriptus) and black duiker (Cephalophus niger). Both are classified as least concern as they are still common and remain widespread. However, although bushbuck populations are stable, black duiker populations are decreasing and like the forest buffalo, its survival will be linked to protection in parks and reserves and development, implementation and adherence to sustainable off-take levels in areas where hunting is permitted (IUCN 2013).

3.6 Livelihoods Research 3.6.1 Non Timber Forest Product Utilisation Position Paper There has been huge debate about whether sustainable collection of NTFPs should be permitted in the ENNR. In order to gain more clarity on the issue, researcher Katherine Howell conducted a preliminary study regarding sustainable harvesting of NTFPs as part of conservation management of forests. The study involved a literature review and interviews in nine communities in Gba and Zor around the ENNR. General findings include the following.

Usual assumptions regarding NTFPs are that NTFPs can be harvested sustainably; and that local people are either ignorant of the degradation they cause, or are environmentally benign.

In ENNR the situation is more complex, and strongly related to the availability of alternative livelihood strategies. Communities are aware that they are contributing to the degradation of the forest and that there are more sustainable harvesting practices than they currently use; but they feel unable to avoid unsustainable forest use.

The demarcation of the ENNR is criticised, as having restricted people's livelihoods and reduced their access to food and medicine, but it is also recognised as one of the only ways of protecting the forest for future generations.

Managing the forest for biodiversity comes into conflict with local livelihoods, but not necessarily with local wishes.

Further research into the potential of Nimba’s forests in improving livelihoods is planned for 2014. This will involve basic modelling to assess what forests can really deliver under different scenarios, whilst considering the conditions and context of forest management specific to Liberia. A typical assumption of external groups can be that because communities rely on the forest then strategies to reduce poverty and insecurity must come from the forest, rather than considering other options which may be more effective in addressing such issues.

3.6.2 Livelihoods Study and Value Chain Analysis One of the main threats to Nimba’s forests is shifting cultivation due to an increasing population. The forest in Liberia is estimated to have reduced by 22% between 1990 and 2005 (FAO 2005) and research shows that the deforestation rate has increased from 0.2% between 1986 and 2000 (Christie et al. 2007) to 0.35% from 2000 to 2006 (CI/FDA/SDSU, 2008). Agricultural intensification in Liberia remains a challenge due to a lack of resources and technical input, and livelihood options are limited. Over 40% of Nimba County’s population suffer from chronic malnutrition (one of the highest chronic malnutrition rates in Liberia, and a large number of people are considered highly vulnerable due to very low food security (CFSNS in Blacklock, 2011). There have been a small number of development projects and implementations in Nimba over the years such as community rice projects, tree crops, rice-fish pond farms, vegetable production, cassava mill provision, poultry raising, ecostove production, soap-making, etc. However, the majority of projects have discontinued and agricultural and non-agricultural income-generating opportunities remain few. In light of these challenges, a specialist was contracted to investigate agricultural options, alternative livelihoods, and existing and



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potential opportunities for value adding, in order to expand upon the programme’s approach and identify realistic and feasible options to inform future BCP initiatives. In addition, the guidance on sustainable agricultural practices contained in ArcelorMittal’s Phase 2 ESIA report was reviewed and assistance provided to ARS in the design of a processed oil palm value chain assessment. Dr Adam Manvell was engaged to conduct the livelihoods study and value chain analysis in Nimba. The study focused on continuous cropping opportunities and value adding, specifically for sugar cane and plantain. Visits to study towns and markets (including visits to Gobachop or Red Light Market in Monrovia and two cross-border markets in Guinea) were used to investigate marketing channels and value adding opportunities over a two-month period. Four towns were visited including Geipa, Makinto, Sehtontuo and Zortapa, and others visited briefly such as (but not limited to) Goagortuo, Lugbeyee, Bonlah and Vayampa. Perennial crops were assessed for continuous cropping opportunities. Research methodology involved informal discussions with key informants and visits to mills and farms. The results show that weekly markets at Lugbeyee, Gbapa, Sanniquellie, Zualay and Karnplay are the most significant for producers in northern Nimba. Trade also occurs at a number of cross-border markets in Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. Unsurprisingly, the establishment and persistence of markets in northern Nimba is linked to road construction and maintenance, and whilst Monrovia is the main destination for agricultural produce, local urban markets such as Sanniquellie and to a lesser extent Yekepa, are still important for local trade. The report highlights a number of primary marketing channels whereby agricultural produce is transported from the roadside or town, or taken to a regional market. From there goods are either sent to Gobachop Market, to other Liberian destinations or cross-border destinations, or major cross-border markets such as N’Zerekore in Guinea. Producers either meet directly with buyers at daily or weekly markets, or buyers come to the producers, or the producers form groups and send their produce to distant buyers. Farm location with regard to travel time and access to roads to markets is a significant aspect influencing the range of marketing channels available. The exchange rate is also an important factor affecting market flows in northern Nimba and those who trade across the border often convert currency to goods for resale at home due to unfavourable exchange rates. In considering how to stabilise shifting agriculture through continuous cropping opportunities, the study investigated perennial crops that can be grown on a permanent basis in the same location for five years or more. Eight perennials were assessed including rubber, cocoa, coffee, kola, citrus, Makinto-tenera oil palms, sugarcane and plantain. Opportunities with sugarcane and plantain bananas offer the most interesting options for continuous cropping because they do not appear to have any of the tenure and gender issues related to tree crops, they can be harvested year-round and reach maturity faster compared to tree crops. Factors for consideration in sugar cane production for cane juice include high start-up costs due to the price of equipment and materials, the influence of cross-border factors and the creation of viable marketing opportunities for small scale operations. From a social perspective, ethical issues with regard to promoting the production of alcohol from sugar cane should also be given serious thought. Plantain has high first mile transport costs from the farm, and produce can often be lost if transport to market is delayed because of bad road conditions; pests and diseases are a problem and there is a need for agricultural extension work to provide up-to-date knowledge and training on plantain production. As with most research, this study has generated more questions that need to be answered and further areas for investigation are recommended for both crops, including the following.

Sugar cane

Cane factory management covering topics such as maintenance cycles and grinding and distilling scheduling with a view towards developing best practise guidelines for loan recipients. This would also provide important information about potential for new marketing channels and needs for production level controls.

An examination of local cane varieties and how they are acquired and what characteristics are appreciated. A comparative look at varieties in use elsewhere, for example around the lower St Paul river, Liberia's oldest cane growing region, with a view to possible varietal exchanges. Results from this could inform any decision on the advantages of looking outside Liberia to specialist cane breeding centres in, for example, Barbados or South Africa.



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A detailed look at cane growing covering everything from land access to labour inputs and harvesting and replanting decisions.

Follow-up on certain aspects of cane juice marketing, such as verification of reported regulations and whether the LMIS continues to collect cane juice price data or if other sources exist.

Plantain

A survey of plantain farms. This should cover location preferences, especially as regard soils and altitude, varieties grown, their different characteristics and how they were acquired, planting and harvesting schedules and pest and disease knowledge and management practises.

A detailed examination of car motor/Gobachop buying associations to determine to what extent local producers (not just of plantains) might be losing out to them.

An examination of plantain producer associations in eastern Nimba county and perhaps even in Guinea. Particular attention should be given to how they manage transport issues.

Depending on the results of the two topics above, it might be useful to conduct a survey of plantain buyers in Monrovia similar to Durey et al. (1999) to explore opportunities for sending higher quality batches direct to buyers.

A second agricultural and livelihoods research project is planned for the BCP’s third year to follow on from this initial study and take forward the recommendations. This will include exploring options for swamp rice (with/without fish) development and improved soil management. Overall the project will consider options for sustainable agriculture based on a technical strategy to increase yields and stabilise farming, through a farmer-focussed approach. Oil palm value chain assessment Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. carried out an oil palm value chain survey with technical guidance and advice from Dr Manvell. The survey was conducted in Kahnla, Lugbeyee and Gbeleyee communities, and Yekepa and Sanniquellie markets. Interviews were conducted with over 30 individuals involved in all parts of the oil palm value chain from palm cutter to consumer. The questionnaires used were pilot tested in Kahnla by ARS field staff and the BCP co-ordinator joined the team to help conduct the initial interviews. The pilot test was used to fine-tune the survey, for example the exercise highlighted questions that needed to be re-phrased for better understanding by interviewees. The report provides extensive detail about how oil palm is processed and the constraints faced by individuals at the different stages of the value chain. For example, processors are constrained by availability of labour and cost to cut the palm bunches (which is done by males), and lack of funds to buy equipment for processing, such as plastic containers and buckets. Oil palm growers find it difficult to source quality oil palm seedlings.

3.7 Agriculture and Livelihoods Projects As part of its agricultural intensification activities, the BCP engaged two NGOs to implement conservation agriculture (CA) projects. CA enhances natural biological processes above and below the ground by reducing soil disturbance, building up soil fertility and ensuring that the application of external inputs such as agrochemicals, nutrients and minerals do not disrupt biological processes (FTP FAO, 2012). CA works on three interlinked principles – continuous minimal mechanical soil disturbance, permanent organic soil cover and diversified crop rotations. Farmers use low cost tools and equipment, and traditional crop varieties without herbicides or herbicide tolerant varieties. CA conserves and enhances biodiversity in the field, reduces labour requirements for crop production, reduces crop vulnerability to extreme climatic events and gives farm families opportunities to improve their livelihoods by spending time in other ways such as on-farm processing which adds value to their production. Following on from the CA training of trainers’ workshop conducted by CARE International last year, ARS and RICCE each submitted proposals to conduct CA training programmes for farmers in northern Nimba. ARS based its projects in West Nimba communities, whilst RICCE piloted CA in Zor



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communities around the ENNR. Both pilot projects were approved for an initial six months with the intention of extending the duration based on the results achieved in the first phase. As an initial activity, the BCP organised for ARS and RICCE to visit CARE Liberia’s office in Gbarnga for an information sharing and capacity building exercise. CARE Liberia conducted a three-year CA project in Bong County (2009-2012); therefore this visit provided a valuable opportunity for project staff to learn from their experience. The final evaluation report for CARE’s CA project was reviewed and field staff provided insight into the challenges and lessons learned in implementing CA in rural communities. Challenges and lessons learned included: managing community expectations; sourcing seeds from local communities rather than agricultural stores as these are more likely to be viable; the importance of providing farming inputs in a timely fashion and keeping the number of members in a group to no more than fifty to ensure effective learning and management. Participants were given the chance to visit farms and speak to farmers that had been part of the CARE project. Both projects encountered difficulties with community expectations, similar to that experienced by CARE Liberia in their project. A number of ARS participants expressed dissatisfaction that they did not receive feeding or waterproofs, highlighting that the project was considered a relief project where people would receive material support, rather than seen as an opportunity for learning and development. On the other hand, RICCE provided feeding as a means of motivation; however this then became problematic when demands for money to be given instead of the food were made and others requested specific meals. Stronger emphasis will be placed on the premise of self-sustainability rather than reliance on donors in the next phase of both projects. Groups will continue to be encouraged to try to save a small proportion of the income from selling their crops so they can purchase their own seeds or tools in the future.

3.7.1 Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. – Agriculture and Livelihoods Pilot Project Following on from their agricultural and livelihoods assessment in 2012, ARS launched a pilot agricultural project in Kahnla and Bonlah. The aim of the project is to protect and conserve the forest through sustainable community development initiatives including conservation agriculture training, improved oil palm production and teaching of enhanced agricultural methods. The official launch took place in Kahnla attended by 76 persons, and Honourable Christiana Dagadu (Superintendent, Nimba County) gave formal approval for the project to start. Figure 6. Pepper in a nursery at Bonlah



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Altogether, 90 farmers (one group in Kahnla and two groups in Bonlah) received training in CA and low technology improvements such as composting and integrated pest management. A Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) was set up in each community to manage the farming groups and the demonstration sites. Demonstration sites were established in both communities to allow participants to compare CA and the traditional practice of slash and burn farming using the farmer field school approach. ARS field staff also provided regular on-site technical guidance. Topics covered included land preparation, seed selection and testing, nursery preparation for vegetables and lowland rice, crop management, crop harvesting and marketing. A series of workshops provided training in CA, crop maintenance, organic insecticide preparation, crop pests and diseases, planting methods and oil palm production. An additional two trial sites were set up in Bonlah where group members practised implementing the CA method. Crops cultivated by the farming groups were cowpeas, mung beans, peanuts, corn, okra, pepper, eddoes, cassava, cucumber, eggplant, plantain and lowland rice. Furthermore each of the farming groups has transplanted 80 oil palm seedlings. Farmers have been taught how to grow pepper in a nursery as this allows the plants to be maintained well when they are young and the insect load is reduced. Rich soil was mixed with chicken manure for the seedlings to grow in. Some initial harvesting of crops has been done during the project period, such as peanuts, cowpeas, corn and cucumber; however other crops were not ready by the end of the reporting period. All proceeds from the crop sales are being deposited into each group’s treasury until the harvest is fully complete and all produce sold. Figure 7. Okra (left), peanut (right) and corn (back) cultivated at Bonlah using the CA method

Periodic sites visits were made by BCP staff to monitor progress and speak to participants and staff. During an informal discussion in Bonlah in May, one male participant stated that he can already see the difference in the two farming methods, commenting that the corn has grown faster with the CA method. When asked what he thought the reason was he said that the mulch on the ground prevents the weeds from coming up so there is less competition. Also the mulch helps to keep the moisture in the soil. A number (five) of the female participants were also asked what they thought of the project so far. The Bonlah Chairlady observed that slash and burn is more work because when the place is cleared with fire the weeds can come back quickly. Also because of unexpected changes in the season people can be worried about burning their farm because of rain and may not even burn it, as



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having a good burn is important. The one thing that was mentioned by the Chairlady as giving a bit of difficulty at that time was the wild cane at site B because it is hard to uproot. This underlines the need for careful site selection. The women requested that the project be extended so that more people in their community could benefit from the training. ARS conducted 18 radio shows designed to raise awareness about environmental issues related to agriculture, to inform the public about low technology improvements for farming such as CA methods and to provide farmers with access to general agricultural technical guidance and discussion. Some of the topics covered were the negative effects of slash and burn agriculture, how to practice sustainable farming, the CA concept and causes of environmental pollution. All shows were spoken in English and Mano. Overall the Bonlah groups have shown a real interest in the project and are eager for it to continue. However the situation in Kahnla has been more challenging. Interest seems to have waned to the point where some of the crops were not harvested. Furthermore, in comparison to Bonlah, Kahnla is much closer to Yekepa where there is more opportunity for casual employment. ARS staff are currently undertaking an assessment in Kahnla to see why some participants seem to have lost interest in the training and how this might be addressed. As part of the first contract ARS donated an oil palm processing machine to the group in Kahnla following the results of the oil palm value chain assessment. Benefits of the processing machine include reduced labour, less time for processing and higher oil output compared to the traditional method of boiling the fruit. A MoU was signed between the Kahnla Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) and ARS whereby the CPMC is responsible for the management and use of the machine. The CPMC will charge a fee for its use and 75% of the proceeds will be kept to be used by the farmer group to sustain their farming activities and 25% kept in escrow with ARS for the maintenance of the machine. The impact of the machine will be evaluated after the peak in the oil palm season. This project has been extended for another 18 months and an official launching programme was held in Lugbeyee in September 2013. The project will train 190 farmers in this phase, including 50 at the new site in Lugbeyee and an additional 50 persons in Bonlah. Oil palm pre-nurseries have been established in the three communities and community project management teams set up for the new groups. Tools have been distributed and seeds such as cucumber, pepper and okra planted. Rice will be sown at a later date.

3.7.2 Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment – Conservation Agriculture

RICCE launched their project at Zortapa in January 2013. The reason for targeting communities in this area for agricultural assistance is because they are located close to the ENNR and shifting cultivation is a threat to the reserve. As discussed previously, the BCP is working with the ENNR-CMC and other partners to improve the management of the ENNR; however there is also a need to encourage a sustainable farming method that seeks to improve community livelihoods and food security, and at the same time maintain the ecosystem and natural resources. The launch was attended by Honourable Christiana Dagadu, Nimba County Superintendent, the County Inspector, Paramount Chief, Zone Chief, community members, FDA, CMC, Zor CFMB, Blei JCFMB, PROSPER and ARS. The women of Zortapa gave all guests a fantastic welcome, meeting them at the entrance to the town and escorting the vehicles with dancing and music to the venue. A cultural show by two members of the community involving conjuring the “gena” to help them perform a magic trick was a great source of entertainment and amusement. The project was welcomed by the community and the County Superintendent officially launched the project. A consultant from CARE Liberia was hired by RICCE to conduct a four-day CA training workshop which involved theory and practical demonstrations. A total of 80 participants attended the training, including farmers and students from Zortapa, community members from four neighbouring towns – Sehtontuo, Geipa, Yolowee and Dulay – and a representative from the FDA. Participants learnt about the history of CA, the CA concept and benefits, CA methods and the effects of slash and burn farming. Following the training, tools and seeds (cow pea, ground nuts, cassava cuttings, corn, pepper, okra and maize) were distributed to two farming groups and one student group in Zortapa.



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Cassava cuttings and pepper seeds were also donated to the catchment communities. A demonstration site (maintained by the students) was established, which allowed trainees to compare the work involved and the production of crops using both CA and slash and burn farming. The two farmer groups established their own sites where they practised implementing the CA method. Figure 8. Tools and seeds were distributed to each farming group in Zortapa

Figure 9. Zortapa Chairlady explaining the benefits of CA



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Two other training sessions were conducted during the project, including the introduction of farm management, where participants learned about insecticide application, fertilisers, harvesting methodology, crop storage and care. A two-day training programme in cooperative management was also implemented, with the intention that the farmer groups will become cooperatives in the future to strengthen the groups and ensure sustainability. Benefits of cooperatives include establishment of a formally structured group, cost sharing (e.g. for improved seeds, transportation, tools etc), increased bargaining power, ability to buy in bulk to reduce expenditure, access to new markets and provision of credit. Cooperatives will be formally registered in the second phase of the project as experience from CARE Liberia showed the advantage of forming cooperatives after the groups have worked together for a sustained period as some individuals may decide to leave the group or lose interest soon after the beginning of the programme. The harvesting of the crops was still ongoing as this report was being compiled. Ground nuts and corn have been harvested by the student group and the initial results show that crop production is more from CA than from slash and burn. For example, 3 kg of corn was planted using each method and the harvest from the CA plots was over four times that of the slash and burn plots. Similarly, the harvest for okra was 50% more by the CA method. The three groups continue to harvest and sell their crops, and are keeping records for monitoring and evaluation purposes. Field visits were conducted by a joint RICCE and BCP team to the four catchment communities where trainees had attempted to establish their own CA trial sites. Unfortunately, three of the communities did not follow the CA method properly which is due to the inability of RICCE to conduct frequent monitoring and oversight due to a limited budget. However, a CA trial site was correctly set up in Dulay and it should be seen as a positive sign that the communities were willing to try this new method on their own. The budget for the extension project includes funds for regular monitoring and support in the four communities. Figure 10. Zortapa school group harvesting CA beans at the demonstration site

Overall the project has been received really well in Zortapa. The farmers requested for the project to continue and also that more people be trained about CA. Group members have been encouraged to share what they have learned with their community and individuals often visit the trial sites. An important benefit of CA in particular for women noted by RICCE and female project participants, is the



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reduction in labour required for farm establishment and crop maintenance compared to the traditional system of slash and burn. CA can help to empower women as it is possible for a single woman to make her own farm without having to depend on a male partner. This is especially important for female-only headed households which are considered among the most vulnerable groups in rural communities (Blacklock, 2010). One challenge that was mentioned by group members was the increased pest load in the CA crops. This was attributed to the mulch attracting more insects. Similar to ARS project participants, benefits cited for CA included less weeds due to the mulch suppressing them. RICCE submitted a proposal to extend the project for another six months, which was accepted. The extension includes continuation of the project at existing trial sites, CA training for additional farmers, regular guidance and monitoring at the four catchment communities, a farm exchange visit to the ARS-CA sites, establishment and registration of cooperatives with the Cooperative Development Agency, linking farmers to market, and a mini fair to showcase CA farm products. The project was officially launched in October at a special event in Zortapa, which was attended by assistant Development Superintendent Teekor Yorlay and former Superintendent for Nimba County, Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh. Progress so far in the five communities has included public awareness about CA, establishment of demonstration sites and planting of watermelon, cucumber, aubergine, beans, peanuts and corn. Composting has also commenced. VSLA training will start in January following the Training of Trainers Workshop in Sanniquellie. A total of 120 participants are now benefiting from the programme (60 in Zortapa and 15 in each satellite community).

One year is still very short for an agricultural project as success will only be proven through sustained levels of increased production in the future (Gubbels, 2012). Furthermore it is too short a period to demonstrate that CA reduces slash and burn farming as farmers need to adopt the practice on their own farms and this will require support, monitoring and evaluation for a number of years. It is not realistic to expect farmers to adopt a new farming technology on their own farms even in two years (Gubbels, 2012). It is too early to say if CA will be successfully implemented in communities around the ENNR, but the initial results and the enthusiasm expressed by the community members for the project are very encouraging.

3.7.3 Village Savings and Loans Association Training As part of its livelihoods initiatives the BCP will implement microfinance schemes in northern Nimba. The Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) was developed by CARE in 1991 and is an independent, community managed microfinance institution which provides a simple savings and loan facility in communities where formal financial services are unavailable. The association consists of a self-selected group who voluntarily form an association and save money in the form of shares. These savings are invested in a loan fund from which members can borrow and repay with a service charge added. Loans can also provide a form of self-insurance to members, supplemented by a social fund which provides small but important grants to members in distress. Benefits of the VSLA identified by CARE include the following.

Rural outreach - VSLA operates in remote and sparely populated areas where formal microfinance institutions are neither cost-effective nor available

Cost effective - the cost per client is low compare to microfinance institutions because VSLA do not have operational expenses.

Asset building - VSLA promotes save up and save through thus creating opportunity for household to secure needed assets

Flexibility - VSLA groups are flexible and offers quick loan disbursement and individualized repayment schedule

Community development-VSLA creates strong cohesive and mutually dependent groups. These often become interested in other issues such as women rights, health and social protection

To facilitate this process a training of trainers (TOT) workshop was conducted by Julius Tiatun (CARE) in November 2013 to teach NGO staff (ARS and RICCE) and CFMB members about the



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VSLA model, and how to establish the initiative in interested communities. The training will be conducted in two phases – the first phase covered planning, organisation and delivery of the VSLA program using different implementation strategies, and teaching participants to train communities about VSLA. Once the VSLA groups have been established in the communities, the second TOT workshop will be conducted to teach implementing partners about how to use the VSLA management information system for quality control, information sharing on targets and impact groups, and documentation of achievements. Figure 11. First phase of the VSLA TOT workshop at the ARS head office in Sanniquellie

Figure 12. Participants of the first phase VSLA TOT workshop



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ARS and RICCE both aim to implement VSLAs in the communities they are working in as part of their agricultural programmes. All of the communities have expressed an interest in the VSLA, and ARS intend to go ahead with training community members in the coming months. Participants in the RICCE project have decided to wait until they have spent more time practicing conservation agriculture in the field.

3.8 Scholarships 3.8.1 BCP Scholarship Programme at Nimba Country Community College The BCP scholarship programme was launched in 2012 at NCCC, providing funding for fees, tuition and a monthly stipend to 20 students studying associate degrees in Forestry and Natural Resource Management. After detailed discussions with NCCC management the eligibility requirements for the scholarship were stated follows:

aged 17 - 35 years at the time of application;

a citizen of Nimba county;

demonstrate financial need; and

not receiving awards from other sources of funding which cover all tuition fees.

Financial need is examined through a financial information summary form (detailing parents’ income, occupation, savings and assets, family situation, disabilities or illnesses, number of siblings / dependents and number of siblings attending college concurrently). Applicants from families assessed as most in financial need will be given priority. Preference was given to applicants residing in communities directly affected by the ArcelorMittal mine in Nimba County. Figure 11. BCP scholarship students at NCCC

The total number of applications received for the year 2012-2013 was 56. Of these, 45 applicants were interviewed as 11 were not eligible for the scholarship due not meeting the minimum GPA (academic qualification) or age requirements. Eight females and twelve males were awarded the scholarships after interviews by the selection committee consisting of: Mr Patrick Lah, Executive Director for ARS and civil society organisation representative; Mr Avery Nawah, County Education Officer; Mr Roger Luke, NCCC Forestry and NRM Tutor and ENNR Chief Park Warden, FDA; and Ms Wing-Yunn Crawley, BCP Co-ordinator, ArcelorMittal). Scholarships were awarded on the basis of



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academic excellence, financial need and the suitability of candidates for their chosen courses in terms of how the course builds on previous education and experience, and relates to career ambitions and personal development. Successful students were required to sign an agreement to commit to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 per semester and an attendance rate of 90%. For Semester 1, 2 students scored a GPA above 3.5, 8 a minimum of 3 or above and 6 a GPA of 2.5 or above. In Semester 2, 1 student scored a GPA above 3.5, 4 a minimum of 3 or above and 10 a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above. The scholarship programme has continued for the academic year 2013-2014 to award another 20 scholarships for Forestry and Natural Resource Management students. Slight changes were made to the criteria in that applicants must have lived in Nimba for the last five years and if claiming to be from a mine-affected community the person must have resided there for the last five years. Less emphasis was placed on financial need as most candidates who applied last year were financially constrained. Additional support to NCCC has included the donation of 28 textbooks to the library on ecology, conservation, environment and agriculture, and facilitation for NCCC tutors to attend FFI teacher training workshops to improve capacity in conservation education.

3.8.2 Funding for Research at Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Menladi Lormie and Clement Tweh returned from their 10-month scholarship programme (funded by the BCP) at the Max Plank Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Leipzig, Germany in July 2013. Both graduated from the University of Liberia with a degree in General Forestry and worked on the Pan African Great Ape Monitoring Program 2010-2012 as team leaders on the first nationwide chimpanzee survey of Liberia. That survey collected data on chimpanzee abundance and distribution, as well as recording information on other large mammals and chimpanzee food sources. During the scholarship the students received training in conservation biology research skills including statistics, data analysis, report writing and presentations. Menladi’s research focussed on the threat of hunting and bushmeat, and the efficacy of law enforcement in Liberia. Nationwide interviews were conducted to gain information about chimpanzee distribution and human threats, in particular hunting. Results from interviews were compared with field observations of chimpanzees and human threats to measure reliability. The results confirmed that hunting and bushmeat consumption is one of the biggest dangers to the long term survival of Liberia’s wildlife and that although the public is aware of the law protecting endangered species such as the West African Chimpanzee, implementation of the law is considered ineffective. The majority of those interviewed (approximately 80%) have not witnessed anyone begin punished by the authorities for killing chimpanzees. Furthermore, the results showed that although there is a preference for domestic meat, bushmeat is eaten more often because it is cheaper and more widely available than domestic meat. This research provides valuable information about the drivers of bushmeat consumption which is important to understand if Liberia is to develop effective strategies to reduce hunting of endangered species and conserve its wildlife, particularly in protected areas. Data collected during the nationwide survey provided information about the number of chimpanzees in Liberia. Results of the analysis conducted by Clement estimate that there are around 7000 chimpanzees, of which approximately 70% occur outside of protected areas, 22% inside protected areas (Sapo) and the remaining present in proposed protected areas (Grebo and Gola). Furthermore, Liberia harbours the second largest chimpanzee population after Guinea and the largest exclusively forest-dwelling population in West Africa. The study shows that chimpanzees and other large mammals are widely distributed and still relatively abundant, with high densities recorded in the two major forest blocks in the south-east and north-west of the country, including in and around the East Nimba Nature Reserve. The results of the nationwide survey provide much needed scientific evidence for the Government of Liberia and conservation organisations to make informed decisions about future protected areas, as it shows where the areas of high biodiversity are in relation to the areas where there is the most threat from human activities. Such information can help authorities develop a strategy to ensure the long-term survival of Liberia’s remaining wildlife populations and assist the country to meet its commitment to a biologically representative protected area network



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covering at least 30% of its forests. Clement’s research has recently been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Oryx. Both students gave presentations about their work to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FDA and FFI upon their return. Menladie Lormie has since returned to her post as FDA biologist and Clement Tweh is also now employed with the FDA working on the Sapo-Tai corridor project. The next step for the BCP is to use the information and recommendations provided by this research to see how it can work with stakeholders and government to conserve chimpanzee populations in northern Nimba.

3.9 Other activities 3.9.1 Sea Turtle and Mangrove Conservation Awareness Day The BCP, CI and PROSPER joined together to organize a sea turtle and mangrove awareness day at Blewin beach, Buchanan on the 24 November 2012. Prior to the awareness day Dr Aaron Lobo (ArcelorMittal’s independent marine specialist), Andrew Torkpah (Save My Future Foundation), Borwen Sayon (CI) and Dr Sam Koffa (PROSPER) took part in a radio show to promote interest in sea turtle and mangrove conservation by highlighting exciting facts about sea turtles and mangroves, discussing the threats to their survival, and the need for sustainable management and conservation. Over 100 people attended the event which was packed with activities and competitions including two performances from a local cultural troop – the first depicting the life of the sea turtle and the second about how communities can contribute to sea turtle conservation. Presentations about the sea turtle life cycle and the reasons for sea turtle and mangrove conservation were given by Andrew Torkpah and Dr Koffa, followed by a question and answer session with prizes for the audience. An exciting canoe race and kickball game rounded the day off. Figure 12. Cultural troop dance at sea turtle and mangrove conservation awareness day.

All seven species of sea turtles are considered either Endangered or Threatened. Five species can be found in Liberian waters: the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley



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(Lepidochelys olivacea), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Out of these five, the Leatherback, Olive Ridley and Green turtles have been observed and positively identified along the beaches south of the Port of Buchanan, in the Barcoline community (Lobo, 2012). The Critically Endangered Leatherback turtle is the most common in the region. Research has shown that the nesting season is from October through to May, peaking in December and January (Ercelawn, 2001 cited in Lobo, 2012). Figure 13. Children taking part in the sea turtle drawing competition

Threats to sea turtles present in the vicinity include loss of nesting habitat caused by beach erosion and illegal sand mining, fisheries by-catch, mortality from collision with ships, noise pollution from anthropogenic sources, light pollution associated with port and coastal area development (which disorientates hatchlings), and over-exploitation of sea turtles for meat and eggs (Phalan, 2012; Lobo, 2012). Sea turtles are an important resource for the Barcoline communities living along the beach in the area, and the turtles and eggs are harvested differently by the tribes that are present. The Fanti harvest sea turtles for meat when fishing, whilst the Kru and Bassa tend to collect sea turtle eggs and opportunistically kill nesting sea turtles for meat if an individual is encountered (Lobo, 2012). These communities have also established a network of market women who purchase the turtle meat to sell in the local markets. Population influx in relation to increased employment opportunities could potentially cause an increase in the demand for bush meat in general, including demand for sea turtle meat and eggs, as well as associated higher predation levels of hatchlings from cats and dogs (Lobo, 2012). Collaboration and support from the community are important if the local sea turtle population and mangrove habitats are going to be conserved, although more information is needed about the size of the sea turtle populations that nest in the area and the level of pressure. Furthermore, sea turtles are migratory, and therefore policies, laws and conservation efforts have to be consistent between countries if sea turtle populations are going to survive.

3.9.2 Mine Restoration Trials Following on from the recommendations made in the Phase 1 ESIA Mine Closure Plan, the BCP worked with the company’s Environmental Unit to set up experimental trials to inform post closure mine rehabilitation work. In 2012, the Biodiversity Officer managed the construction of an indigenous



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tree nursery in Yekepa with assistance from Davidson Morgan and Francis Kpadeh (FDA), who have continued to provide technical advice and guidance for nursery operations, establishment and monitoring of the trials. A mine bench at the Blue Lake and old DSO areas at Mount Gbahm were selected as trial sites. Five plots were established at each site and a mixture of treatments were applied including:

natural revegetation on DSO and hard ore terrace after disturbing the land surface by scarifying;

planting of a range of tree seedlings in planting holes, with and without applications of fertilizer (NPK and urea);

planting of a range of tree seedlings in planting holes, with mulch; and

natural revegetation after spreading a layer of finer material taken from the waste dumps and sediment removed from settling ponds.

Figure 14. Sign at trial plot 1 at the Blue Lake Figure 15. Ceiba pentandra growing

in trial plot at the Blue Lake

This research is extremely important to determine the most effective and efficient methods of accelerating natural re-vegetation of cleared land areas as part of ArcelorMittal’s mine closure plan, but it also contributes to habitat restoration of the old LAMCO mines in the East Nimba Nature Reserve. The trials will provide useful information about which methods give the highest probability of success in the shortest period of time (e.g. scarifying surface, use of different fertilisers) and which species are most successful in achieving plant cover on mine surfaces. The nursery focused on propagating fast growing legume species in the area such as Piptadenisatrum africana, Albizia ferruginea, Albizia zygia (common tree in secondary forest), Albizia adiantholia (common tree of disturbed forest) and fast growing pioneer species (e.g. Ceiba pentandra) to plant at the trial sites. A total of 1554 seedlings have been planted, 1380 of which were planted randomly in planting holes at four sites at the Blue Lake and one site at Mount Gbahm. The Environmental Unit is monitoring the seedlings in the trial plots on a monthly basis. Initial results show that C. pentandra is exhibiting the fastest growth rate at both sites, and the seedlings in general are growing faster at Blue Lake which is likely to be partly due to the higher moisture content of the soil compared to the plots at Mount Gbahm. A detailed analysis for the first year was in preparation as this report was completed. The seedlings were transplanted to the trial sites in September 2012, which was late in the season for planting; therefore planting started in mid-June 2013 and was initially supervised by Davidson Morgan (FDA). The CMC were fully consulted with regard to planting sites and approved the suggested locations at the Blue Lake and further down towards the edge of the ENNR. A total of 1881 seedlings were planted in 2013 comprising 35 species. Unfortunately fire still remains a problem during the dry season and a number of the seedlings were burnt during fires at the Blue Lake area in 2012 and 2013. Fire breaks have to be maintained throughout the dry season and the CMC intend to raise awareness within the communities about the issue of fire within the reserve.



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Figure 15. CMC field visit to proposed tree planting sites in the ENNR. From the left: Saye Thompson, CMC Chairman; Gaye Dokpah, CMC Co-chair on Awareness and Mobilizations; Roger Luke, CMC Co-chair on Operation and Technical Affairs and ENNR Chief Park Warden, FDA; Joseph Green, CMC Member and Zone Warden, FDA.

3.9.3 Sehyi-kimpa Community Tree Nursery Project The BCP has been working with the Sehyi-kimpa Community Tree Nursery Project (SCTNP) to support its operations by providing the project with tools and materials. The project was established in 2012 by Alphonso Kiedor, community member and graduate from the Forestry Training Institute (FTI), and other community members with the aims of:

multiplying tree crops for household use and commercial purposes;

exercising practical knowledge and ability in nursery skills and increasing awareness about nurseries; and

empowering interested youths in Sehyi, Gba and Zor, to give rise to development in the farming sector in the three clans and improve conservation practice.

The BCP and ArcelorMittal’s Environmental Unit will help the SCTNP to supply indigenous tree seedlings for use in the company’s mine restoration trials, thereby promoting community participation in mine activities and providing income generation to the communities. The partnership was formally established by the signing in 2013 of a Memorandum of Understanding in which SCTNP agreed to provide indigenous tree seedlings to the company, and ArcelorMittal will continue to assist the project through provision of tools and seed collection contracts. SCTNP supplied ArcelorMittal with over 400 seedlings for use in its mine restoration trials this year and is currently developing its by-laws and constitution so it can be formally registered as a business with the Government of Liberia.



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Figure 16. Members of the Sehyi-kimpa Community Tree Nursery project

3.9.4 Bat Translocations As part of the Phase 1 ESIA report, additional bat surveys were undertaken with the overall goal of assessing the conservation status of bats in the AML concession. This study included research to assess the importance of adits (horizontal mining tunnels) as roost sites for bats on Mounts Tokadeh, Gangra and Yuelliton. A total of 13 adits were located, and 11 are still intact and utilised by bats (see Phalan, 2011 and Phase 2 ESIA report for more details). Over 2000 bats comprising six species in four different families were recorded using the adits as day roosts: Pteropodidae (fruit bats of the species Lissonycteris angolensis smithi), Hipposideridae (leaf-nosed bats of two species Hipposideros ruber, Hipposideros marisae), Rhinolophidae (horseshoe bats of the species Rhinolophus hillorum) and Miniopteridae (long-fingered bats of two species Miniopterus inflatus and Miniopterus schreibersii villiersi) (Monadjem, 2011). Three species of global conservation concern were confirmed: Aellen’s Roundleaf Bat Hipposideros marisae (Vulnerable) in adits at Gangra, the Upland Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus hillorum (Near Threatened) at Tokadeh, and Schreiber’s Bent-winged bat Miniopterus schreibersii villiersi (Not Evaluated) found in adits at Gangra and Yuelliton. Most if not all of these adits will be destroyed by future mining operations, with six that will be destroyed during Phase 2; therefore construction of new day roosts and translocation of existing bat populations to the new sites are required to compensate for the loss of habitat. This will be carried out by ArcelorMittal’s Environmental Unit as part of the mitigation for Phase 2 with assistance from the BCP. The adits are mostly above 800 metres, with some of them above 900 m. This limits the location of suitable sites to Mount Beeton and Mount Nimba, with. Beeton being potentially a better choice for translocations because it is closer to the source populations and is a similarly sized mountain to Gangra. However, logistically translocations to Beeton would be very challenging due to poor access; it has therefore been recommended that the bats be translocated to Mount Nimba. Field visits by Professor Ara Monadjem located two suitable locations based on altitude, location and accessibility by road – one at high altitude which is open with forested slopes below and the other in secondary



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forest. This will provide suitable locations for bat species which tend to fly above the canopy and those which are able to navigate through forest. Constructed new adits will need to provide the same environmental conditions as the original adits, particularly with regard to temperature and humidity. The construction of the artificial bat roosts has been discussed with the ENNR-CMC as the sites for the translocations are located within the reserve. The CMC has given its initial approval for the translocations and will be involved in the construction process and monitoring of bats once the translocation is complete to assess the overall success of the project. Disturbance must be kept to a minimum at the new roost site to decrease the chance of the bats abandoning their new home. This activity is hugely exciting for the company, the ENNR and the country, as this will be the first time that such a translocation has been conducted in tropical Africa and to our knowledge the first time it will have been attempted in sub-Saharan Africa (Phalan, 2013). Figure 17. Field inspection of old mine adit at Mount Gangra

3.9.5 Nimba Transboundary Governance Platform Due to the proximity of the mining operation to Mount Nimba and the company’s support for the ENNR, ArcelorMittal was invited to sit on the Steering Committee for the Transboundary Governance Platform for Mount Nimba in 2010. The FFI-administered Darwin Initiative Project, which has now been continued with USAID funding from STEWARD, aims to reduce threats to biodiversity in the overall Nimba Mountains by seeking a united view of the governance required for sustainable development, sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. The main objective is to establish a tripartite management structure for Mount Nimba and a Collaborative Management Plan (CMP) endorsed by stakeholders in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia. The BCP co-ordinator attended the fourth meeting in N’Zerekore, Guinea, in December 2012, to participate in the decision making



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process and update partners and stakeholders on BCP and company activities. Outcomes of the meeting included the review and finalisation of a framework agreement to be signed by all three countries confirming their commitment to tri-national and sustainable conservation of the Nimba Mountains, and development of the roles and responsibilities of the steering and technical committees. The steering committee has twenty members and is comprised of government representatives (two from each country – for Liberia representation is from the EPA and FDA), and representatives from UNESCO, communities, international and national NGOs, the Mano River Union (MRU) and the private sector. The main responsibility of the steering committee is to supervise the creation and implementation of the CMP and to support resource mobilisation in country from external donors; whereas the technical committee will implement the CMP and report on progress to partners. As part of its contribution to the process, ArcelorMittal shared all of the scientific data from its Phase 1 ESIA with the Darwin Nimba Project to assist with the production of a Nimba Atlas. The first draft of the atlas was disseminated at the December meeting and is a graphical representation of what is happening in Nimba with regard to conservation, communities and commercial projects. The atlas combines all existing data to identify those areas in Nimba where there may be constraints or conflicts of interests and provides valuable information for environmental and sustainable development planning, and in particular for the development of a tripartite, transboundary CMP (see www.nimbadarwin.org for more details about the Nimba Atlas). Unfortunately the much more comprehensive biodiversity mapping that was undertaken for ArcelorMittal’s Phase 2 ESIA was not published until March 2013, with the result that the company’s mapping for Liberian Nimba is considerably better than that in the first edition of the tri-national Nimba Atlas; this will be rectified by the company making its data available for the second edition of the Nimba Atlas. The Tripartite Steering Committee for Mount Nimba met in Sanniquellie on 3

rd September 2013 with

the aim of developing an agenda for the 5th meeting of the Transboundary Governance Platform in

December. Outcomes of the main meeting were somewhat vague and have not yet been published. Most notable at the meeting was the fact that Liberia’s strategy for the long term safeguarding of the Nimba mountains differs significantly from that adopted by Guinea and Ivory Coast. Liberia has chosen a very people-centred approach, with the FDA agreeing to joint management with the communities through the CMC for the East Nimba Nature Reserve, and the CFMBs for the other forests. By contrast, the other countries rely largely on armed paramilitary guards patrolling the protected areas to enforce the law. At one level those governments claim to be doing everything required to ensure protection, but ecologists widely acknowledge that encroachment remains a serious problem. The only significant scale of conservation work currently underway in any of the three countries is that being implemented by ArcelorMittal’s BCP. Consequently the relationship between government, communities, NGOs and the private sector engendered by this programme in Liberia seems to many to be the example that needs to be followed in the other countries. Apart from that, the main outcomes of the meeting were that the three countries agreed to continue working towards complementary management plans for the whole region, and to continue sharing data and lessons.

3.9.6 Public Awareness and Education The BCP worked directly with the Nimba Conservation Forum in October 2013 to arrange for researchers from the Max Plank Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology to visit NCCC. Sorrel Jones and Sergio Marricoli, gave presentations about their research on chimpanzees and large mammals in the ENNR and Grebo respectively. Students learnt about camera trap survey methodology and chimpanzee ecology and behaviour. The presentation gave students the opportunity to view actual camera trap footage of endangered species such as Jentink’s duiker and pygmy hippopotamus, both recorded in Grebo, and the endangered West African chimpanzee and yellow-headed picathartes (classified as Vulnerable) from the ENNR. Public awareness and education about Chimpanzees continued with a presentation from Gbapa School Environmental Club at Gbapa Town Hall on October 23

rd. The BCP coordinator assisted by

providing information for the presentation and students made posters about chimpanzees, the importance of the forest and the services it provides. Dada Konkah, (teacher and club facilitator) invited parents to the presentation so they could see some of what their children are learning at the club and students advertised the event beforehand using a megaphone in the town. This proved to be

http://www.nimbadarwin.org/



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very effective as over 100 people attended on the day. Club members gave a presentation to inform the audience about chimpanzee behaviour, ecology, habitats, threats and conservation. Next a short film about the chimpanzees of Bossou (Tetsuro et al. 2011) showed how juvenile chimpanzees play in the wild and are looked after by their mothers. This was followed by a question and answer session with prizes. Figure 18. Presentation about chimpanzees by Gbapa school environmental club members.

Figure 19. Watching the Bossou chimpanzee film at the Gbapa school environmental club presentation.

Sorrel Jones repeated the presentation about her work for AML employees at the open door theatre in Yekepa on the 26

th October. Children from both high schools in the town were also invited to attend.

CMC members Roger Luke and Dada Konkah gave an introductory speech to highlight the importance of the ENNR and the role of the CMC in the management of the park. This was felt to be particularly important due to the close proximity of Yekepa to the ENNR boundary. The West African Chimpanzee was the first species to feature as the species of the month in October 2013 in an effort to raise awareness within the Company about Nimba’s biodiversity. Since then a fact sheet about the African Clawless Otter has also been produced. The Giant African Swallowtail butterfly and the Nimba Otter Shrew will be focused on in the upcoming months.


Environmental and Social Studies, 2008-2015 Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Extended Annual Report, July 2012 to June 2013

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4. PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAMME’S EXTENDED SECOND YEAR The programme is scheduled to run from mid-August 2011 until approximately December 2015. Work plans for the second year run from July 2012 to December 2013 to bring the programme in line with the Company’s yearly schedule. The second work plan therefore ran from the third quarter of 2012 (Q3/2012) to the fourth quarter of 2013 (Q4/2013), and the work periods were as follows:

Q3/2012: July to September 2012; Q4/2012: October to December 2012; Q1/2013: January to March 2013; Q2/2013: April to June 2013; Q3/2013 July to September 2013 and Q4/2013: October to December 2013.

In order to look at the Programme’s performance in this second reporting period and to gauge its achievements, activities have been compared against the specific targets set out in last year’s work plan.

4.1. Continuing the Programme

No. Activity Process Period Progress

1.1 Presentation, review and adoption of Annual Report.

Environmental Adviser to convene a meeting of the Steering Committee, where approval of this Annual Report will be on the agenda.

As early in Q3/12 as possible.

Done. Meeting held 12 September 2012. Annual Report presented to and approved by Rajesh Goel, (AML CEO), Moses Wogbeh, (FDA MD) and Theo Freeman (Head of Conservation, FDA).

1.2 Approval on this Annual Work Plan and budget.

Steering Committee to approve. As early in Q3/12 as possible.

Done.

1.3 Review of progress compared to the first year Annual Work Plan.

Programme Co-ordinator and Environmental Adviser to evaluate progress made and address.


Done.

1.4 Summary financial report presented to NBSF for review.

Programme Co-ordinator to liaise with Finance Department to produce report. Summary to be presented at next NBSF meeting.


Done.

1.5 Recruitment of a Programme Assistant.

Programme Co-ordinator to draft job description and ToRs


Done.

1.6 Formal monthly reporting system to be developed and implemented.

Programme Co-ordinator to develop and establish


Done.



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4.2. Change Management


2.1a Continue stakeholder consultations at community, county and national levels.

Programme Co-ordinator to maintain a stakeholder matrix. Programme Co-ordinator to set up and hold a schedule of meetings and facilitate public awareness by the CFMBs/JCFMB and CMC.

Continue throughout the year. Public awareness of progress under the MOUs to be conducted quarterly.

Minimum of quarterly regular meetings with CFMBs/JCFMB and CMC. Public awareness regarding progress one year after signing MoUs is now due. Next CMC awareness to be conducted once bank account is established.

2.1b Co-ordinate programme activities in relation to the previous work by, and ongoing work plans of, AML’s environmental and community liaison work.

Programme Co-ordinator to attend regular integration meetings and liaise regularly with the CLU to ensure full internal lesson-learning, review and co-ordination.

Continue throughout the year.

Integration meetings stopped Q3/12. CLU and Resettlement consulted on a regular basis but no formal meetings in place.

2.2 Confirm geographical area with the communities affected.

Linked with activity 2.1 Programme Co-ordinator to consolidate southern area of interest with partners.

As for activity 2.1. Done. We are working with communities represented by the CFMBs and JCFMB.

2.3 Develop the concept of a landscape-scale conservation area for all of northern Nimba.

This is a key output of the BCP’s collaboration with CI. Programme Co-ordinator and Environmental Consultant to review recommendations and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to decide next steps.

Recommendations to inform the multiple land use zoning process to be drafted by Q3/12.

Done.

2.4 Collect stakeholders’ initial aspirations for land allocations for all different uses.

Programme Co-ordinator to work with CI initial recommendations and refine as opinions are collected. Linked to activity 2.3.

As for activity 2.3. Done.

2.5 Link with the County Development Agendas and tie programme to the PRS and LCE process.

This is a key output of the BCP’s collaboration with CI. Programme Co-ordinator to establish contact with the County authorities and relevant line ministries, to gather appropriate information on these issues. Linked to activity 2.3.

Initiate in Q4/12. Done.

2.6 Develop links and a strategy for working with traditional governance.

Programme Co-ordinator to establish contact with the National Traditional Council of Liberia and the local Chiefs, and feed their ideas into the stakeholder consultations.


Done. Any work in communities is done with local chiefs, including members of the NTC. CI is working with chiefs on the Conservation Agreements.



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2.7 Develop and maintain working linkages with the Community Forest Management Bodies.

Programme Co-ordinator to maintain contact with the various existing community forestry groups in the programme area and continue working with them under the MOUs and in collaboration with PROSPER.


Done.

2.8 Develop and maintain working linkages with the ENNR CMC.

Programme Co-ordinator to maintain contact with the CMC and continue working with them and partners to support ENNR management and operations.


Done.

2.9 Identify the likely significant impacts that may result from changes in economic activity

Programme Co-ordinator and Environmental Adviser to draft a concept note on this subject as early findings emerge.

By the end of Q2/13.

This activity was delayed pending the publication of the Phase 2 ESIA, as well as the various studies on NTFPs and value chains that continued in the second half of 2013.

2.10 Support capacity building and participatory decision-making through joint working.

Programme Co-ordinator and contracted implementation partners to undertake this as a routine working approach. FDA designated representative to continue working with the Programme Co-ordinator. AML to ensure that Nimba Biodiversity Stakeholders Forum meets at least once per quarter.

Throughout the year.

Done.

2.11 Review options for a sustainable finance mechanism at County level.

Environmental Adviser, Programme Co-ordinator, Vice President of SHE, Finance and Legal department to review CI white paper and agree next steps in collaboration with the NBSF and the County office.

Begin in Q3/12. The aim is to have agreed a strategy and started initial work on implementation by Q2/14.

Review by AML senior management complete. CI to develop over the next 18 months. CI to hire sustainable funding consultant Q2/14 to develop the mechanism.



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4.3. Initiating Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation


3.1 Conduct value chain assessments of key livelihood options.

Programme Co-ordinator to draft terms or reference for this, identify a suitable individual or organisation and commission a study on the value chains of existing and potential new livelihoods options.

Initiate in Q4/12. Done.

3.2 Develop and implement Conservation Agreements.

This is a key output of the BCP’s collaboration with CI. Programme Co-ordinator to continue working with CI through the Conservation Agreement process. Linked to activity 3.6.

Aim to have completed by the end of Q2/13.

Feasibility assessments in eight communities complete. Engagement phase complete. Minimum of two Conservation Agreements to be implemented by end of Q2/14.

3.3 Work with NBSF to rationalise conservation priority areas as part of the establishment of the Northern Nimba Planning Area (NNPA).

Programme Co-ordinator to ensure that the NBSF starts to discuss the concept of a NNPA, informed by the report devised in activity 2.3 and biodiversity mapping from the ESIAs.

Initiate by the end of Q4/12.

Discussion ongoing. Further research required to be undertaken as per 3.4.

3.4 Aid government and communities to agree a workable NNPA.

Through the consultation process described in activities 2.1 to 2.7 and the science added by 3.3, the Programme Co-ordinator is to facilitate the NBSF, and the local and county stakeholders, to develop a working agreement on the outline for a NNPA. A service contract may be necessary to bring in additional technical and facilitation skills.

A working agreement should be in place by the end of Q2/13. The aim should be to formalise this by the end of the next work plan (i.e. by the end of Q2/14).

Stakeholder consultations and land use planning report completed by CI. Further research is required to develop the recommendations which will be undertaken in Q1 of Year 4.

3.5 Support and facilitate CMC activities to improve the management of the ENNR.

Programme Co-ordinator to work with PROSPER, CI , FFI and other partners to build the capacity of the CMC and support CMC operations. A service contract may be necessary to bring in additional technical and facilitation skills.

Capacity building inception phase complete Q4/12. Aim to develop a long term project by the end of Q1/13. Related activities to continue throughout the year.

Capacity assessment, gap analysis and project design completed by FFI in Q4/13. ENNR Management Plan to be completed by end of Q2/14. Support for CMC operations ongoing.



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3.6 Capacity building and logistical assistance of FDA to support the FDA’s role in safeguarding Nimba’ forests, and to address the threat of unsustainable bushmeat hunting and transboundary issues pertaining to patrolling and protection of protected areas.

Programme Co-ordinator and Environmental Adviser to work with FDA senior management, FDA field staff and partners to develop details of the support the BCP will provide under the AML- FDA MOU.

Details of agreement to be in place by the end of Q4/12.

Done. Capacity building and logistical assistance are part of the work with the CMC (as above) as FDA ENNR staff are CMC members. FDA auxiliaries trained as part of the Nimba Otter Shrew survey team.

3.7 Rehabilitate degraded habitat in the ENNR to increase forest cover.

Programme Co-ordinator to work with the CMC, FDA reforestation office and AML Environmental Department to expand on existing trials.

Initiate by end of Q1/13.

Done.

3.8 Facilitate and implement biodiversity conservation awareness and education campaigns to increase the awareness of endangered species and the importance and value of sustainably managing, protecting and conserving the environment and its natural resources.

This is a key output of the BCP’s collaboration with CI. Programme Co-ordinator to work with CI, partners and stakeholders to develop a strategy.

Develop strategy in Q4/12. Aim to initiate strategies in Nimba in Q1/13.

Done.

3.9 Facilitate education and research in Biodiversity Conservation and related subjects to build conservation capacity in Nimba and Liberia.

Programme Co-ordinator to continue engaging educational institutions to develop scholarships programmes, assist with educational resources and facilitation of teacher training.

Throughout the eighteen month period.

Done.

3.10 Work with partners to formalise and implement an ENNR management plan.

Led by others, AML to assist where necessary. Long overdue, should be in place as soon as possible.

Draft management plan submitted and under review. Management Plan to be completed including all stakeholder consultations, validation and approval latest by end of Q2/14. Proposal for implementation of management plan to be submitted Q2/14.



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3.11 Agree realistic targets with partners and stakeholders to develop long term protected area management strategies likely to be sustainable (e.g. business plans for the ENNR and CFs, LTSFMs).

This is a key output of the BCP’s collaboration with CI. Linked to activities 2.7, 2.11, 3.2, 3.5 and 3.6.

A working agreement should be in place by the end of Q2/12. The aim should be to formalise this within 2 years more (i.e. by the end of Q2/13).

As per 2.11.

3.12 Establish specific assessments for key species of particular conservation importance to show no net loss (including Nimba Otter Shrews and Western Chimpanzees).

Programme Co-ordinator to draft terms of reference and identify a suitable individual or organisation and commission studies on high profile species.

Initiate in Q3/12. Implement first project in Q1/13.

Nimba Otter Shrew research ongoing. In-depth butterfly survey of ENNR and field research on distribution of new species discovered during Phase 2 ESIA to be completed in Q1/14. Specialist to be engaged for in-depth research on Western Chimpanzee populations in West Nimba by end Q4/14.

3.13 Establish specific conservation projects for key species of particular conservation importance to protect existing populations (including Nimba Otter shrews and Western Chimpanzees).

Programme Co-ordinator to draft terms of reference and identify a suitable individual or organisation to implement conservation projects for high profile species.

Initiate in Q3/12. Nimba Otter Shrew Conservation Project ongoing. Long term butterfly monitoring established and awareness materials produced by end of Q3/14.

3.14 Work with the CMC and partners to facilitate biodiversity surveys in the ENNR (e.g. permanent camera trapping survey, butterflies and other taxa as discussed).

Programme co-ordinator to work with the CMC and partners to implement biodiversity surveys and address gaps in data.

Initiate in Q2/13. Long term butterfly monitoring to be established in the ENNR by end Q3/14. Biodiversity monitoring to be included in the ENNR Management Plan which will be finalised by Q2/14.

3.15 Establish marine conservation education and awareness programme in communities and schools (e.g. sea turtles and other threatened and endangered species).

Programme Co-ordinator and Environmental Officer to collaborate with partners to develop and implement regular education and awareness programmes.

Initiate in Q3/12. Awareness conducted in Q2/12 in collaboration with CI and PROSPER.

3.16 Facilitate sea turtle tagging programme.

Programme Co-ordinator to identify a suitable organisation to develop and implement programme.

Programme developed by end of Q2/13.

BCP not going ahead with this as other partners likely to implement.



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4.4. Initiating Agricultural Intensification


4.1 Agree the approach in principle with communities, land holders, government and other stakeholders.

Through the consultation process described in activities 2.1 to 2.7, the Programme Co-ordinator is to facilitate the local and county stakeholders to develop a working agreement on possible options for long term agricultural change. A service contract may be necessary to bring in additional technical and facilitation skills.

A working agreement should be in place by the end of Q1/13. The aim should be to formalise this by the end of the next work plan (i.e. by the end of Q2/13).

Livelihoods and value chain study completed. Livelihoods specialist to conduct further research into continuous cropping opportunities in Q2/14. Agricultural or soil specialist to be contracted by end Q2/14 to work alongside livelihoods specialist.

4.2 Identify market opportunities for raw products and potential added value chains.

Linked to activity 3.1. Initiate in Q4/12. Done.

4.3 Define realistic agricultural improvements.

Programme Co-ordinator to draft terms of reference for this, identify a suitable individual or organisation and commission a study on the realistic agricultural options and alternatives.

Initiate in Q4/12. Further research required. Final report and recommendations to be completed by end Q4/14.

4.4 Define realistic alternatives to agriculture.

Further research required. Final report and recommendations to be completed by end Q4/14.

4.5 Research integrated fish pond technology and heliciculture to determine if they are feasible livelihood options.

Linked to activities 3.1 and 4.4. This may require a small contract to obtain external inputs.

Initiate in Q3/12. Further research required. To be completed by end Q4/14.

4.6 Work with community leaders to determine possible livelihoods change options.

Programme Co-ordinator to discuss the findings of the work in activities 4.2 to 4.5 with community leaders.

By the end of Q2/13.

Consultation and feedback on reports to community representatives continuous.

4.7 Arrange the implementation of agricultural improvement (including conservation agriculture and agroforestry) and livelihood projects (including animal raising, handicrafts and potentially aquaculture and heliciculture).

Programme Co-ordinator to draft terms of reference for this and identify suitable organisations to implement agricultural improvement and alternative livelihoods projects. Linked to activities 4.4 – 4.8.

Start implementing projects in Q4/12.

Done. ARS and RICCE pilot projects to continue and extended in Q2/13.



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4.8 Build capacity of organisations and Government in agricultural and livelihoods initiatives (including VSLA).

Programme Co-ordinator to arrange implementation of training workshops aimed at building capacity of NGOs, trainers and Government.

First activity to be completed by the end of Q4/12. Throughout the year.

Conservation Agriculture study tour conducted by CARE for ARS and RICCE. First phase of VSLA training completed in Q2/13. Second phase to be implemented in Q2/14.



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5. FINANCIAL REPORT

5.1 Summary of Expenditure in 2012 and 2013 The total budget per year for the BCP was originally set at $500,000. All funding for the programme is accounted for under a separate sub-account to ensure that the use of the money is transparent and fully protected. Accounts are monitored by the company and approved by the Steering Committee. The table on the next page presents a summary of expenditure for the activities undertaken in the first two and a half years of the programme. In 2011 to 2012 the expenditure was $156,802, significantly below the company’s committed spending of US$500,000 per year. For this reason and also because of existing commitments at July 2012, the rollover of the unspent amounts was approved. This led to the expenditure of $818,613 in the work year of July 2012 to June 2013. In the last six months of 2013, expenditure amounted to $386,557. Consequently, at 31 December 2013, after two and a half years, the company’s commitment for the programme to date was therefore $1,250,000, and the actual expenditure at $1,361,971 was some $112,000 above target.

5.2 Budgets for 2014 The table on the next page also shows the projected annual budget for the next period of the Biodiversity Conservation Programme. The programme will now be in line with company calendar financial years. Pertinent features of the 2014 budget are as follows.

A number of service contracts and other commitments started in 2013 include financial commitments in 2014.

The company has segregated staff costs from the BCP budget into separate departmental headings. These costs are therefore not shown for the 2014 financial period, although they will be recorded in the future as BCP commitments.

From 2014 the company’s annual commitment has been increased to $700,000 for the duration of the Phase 1 DSO mining operation, in compensation for additional landtake at the Tokadeh mine (within the permitted area but outside the original area accounted for offsetting).

For 2014 only, an additional sum of $100,000 is approved by the CEO for additional environmental compensation. Hence the commitment for 2014 is $800,000.

Some of the projected expenditure is of the BCP is linked to preparatory work for the proposed Phase 2 Offset Programme, and so the connected Project budget is also shown.



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Full summarised account of expenditure for the ArcelorMittal Biodiversity Conservation Programme for the period July 2011 to December 2013, plus the budget estimate for the calendar year 2014. All figures in US dollars.

Status Final Estimated Estimated

H2/2011 H2/2012 (Project)

H1/2012 H1/2013 2013-2014

Community and Conservation Forestry Workshop 22,420

ENNR Management Plan Workshop 10,546

Co-ordinator's costs 80,000 106,000 53,000

Scientific technical support (call-down contract with Dr Ben Plalan) 3,600

Purchase of programme vehicle 25,000 25,000

Livelihoods and Value Chain Assessment 34,000

Non Timber Forest Product pilot project 275

Nimba Otter Shrew Conservation Project 12,692 22,186 20,000

Chimpanzee Research Project - West Nimba 35,000

Butterfly surveys (ENNR surveys, long term monitoring programme, public awareness) 29,500 10,000 36,000

Butterfly radio tracking (provisional) 100,000

Bat translocations from Tokadeh adits 450,000

Western Cave Gecko relocation from adits 25,000

NCCC Scholarships (awareness, teacher training, books, interviews, tuition, fees, stipend) 12,972 13,780 43,500

Max Plank Scholarships 28,750

MSc Research projects 13,500

Mine restoration trials (nursery materials, seed collection, technical advice, rental vehicle) 2,495

Gba CFMB (MoU awareness, office construction, equipment and operations facilitation) 18,664 4,149 1,205 16,000

Zor CFMB (MoU awareness, office construction, operations facilitation) 1,428 22,226 1,181 16,000

Blei JCFMB (MOU awareness, office, MLME concession survey, operations) 330 22,510 1,266 15,000

CMC operations and awareness (including re-cleaning of boundary) 2,607 12,650 37,000

CMC capacity building project - FFI 52,466 65,000

ENNR Management Plan - FFI 81,167

Conservation Agreements - pilot financing - CI 298,461

Eco-stove distribution 13,175

Agricultural and livelihoods project - ARS 2,820 30,000 30,000 70,000

Piloting Conservation Agriculture - RICCE 33,000 37,100 80,000

Agricultural support: social scientist and agronomist; research projects 90,000

Marine fisheries: continuation of tracking and research; fish guidebook 10,000

World Environmental Day - Buchanan 1,542

Stationary, tools, PPE and other materials 929 1,064 1,000

Graphic design and printing costs for BCP awareness materials 10,000

Mano transcription for Nimba botanical guide 610

Conservation International (2 workshops, business plan, conservation agreements, LTSF) 431,739 168,058 3,000

Conservation International (land use planning) [Currently deferred]

Conservation International (education and public awareness) 110,728

Community initiatives (Sehyi-kimpa nursery, pygmy hippo survey, meetings) 1,639 531 1,000

Conservation Agriculture Workshop - CARE 700 10,913

VSLA Training workshops 2,550 10,000

Technical working group meetings 474 100 500

Support for building conservation capacity 730 1,000

Totals 156,802 818,613 386,557 721,828 955,628

Cumulative expenditure 156,802 975,414 1,361,971 2,083,799 N.A.

Cumulative commitment (i.e. target expenditure) 500,000 1,000,000 1,250,000 2,050,000 N.A.

Variance -343,199 -24,586 111,971 33,799 N.A.

Phase 2 Offset

Programme

Preparation

H2/2013 2014

Final

Cost Item

1st year 2nd yearAdjusted

half year

BCP heading:

full calendar

year



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6. BIBLIOGRAPHY

6.1 References Cited in this Report ARS, Inc. 2013. Final Activities Report Pilot Agricultural and Livelihood Project.

CARE Liberia. 2012. Gubbels, P. Revitalising Communities through Conservation Agriculture in Bong County, Liberia. End of Project Evaluation Report. Groundswell International for CARE Liberia.

Dury, S. Bricas N. Tchango J. T. and Bikoï A. (1999) "La consommation et les critères de qualité du plantain à Douala et Yaoundé." Pages 507-523 in Bananas and Food Security: Les productions bananières : un enjeu économique majeur pour la sécurité alimentaire. Edited by Picq, C. Fouré E. & Frison E. A. Montpellier: INIBAP. Available at http://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/pdfs/709.pdf

Christie, T., Steininger, M.K., Juhn, A. And Peel, A. 2007. Fragmentation and clearance of Liberia’s forests during 1986 – 2000. Oryx, 41, 539-543.

FAO, 2005. Global Forest Resources Assessment. FAO Forestry Paper 147.

FFI. 2013. East Nimba Nature Reserve: Capacity Needs Assessment, Gap Analysis and Project Design.

FTP FAO. 2012. Conservation Agriculture: Conserving resources above - and below - the ground. Available at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/ai552e/ai552e00.pdf [Accessed 1 May 2012]

Government of Liberia, 2008. Readiness Program Idea Note (R-PIN) for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). Submission to the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility.

IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group 2008. Cephalophus niger. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 January 2014.

IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group 2008. Syncerus caffer. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 January 2014.

Manvell, A. 2013. Report of an Investigation into Continuous Cropping Opportunities in Northern Nimba. ArcelorMittal Liberia.

RICCE, 2013. Piloting Conservation Agriculture around East Nimba Nature Reserve; First Quarter Report.

Matsuzawa, Tetsuro; Humle, Tatyana; Sugiyama, Yukimaru (Eds.). 2011. The Chimpanzees of Bossou and Nimba. Tokyo, Springer.

Tweh, C. G., Célestin Y. Kouakou, C. Y., Annika Hillers, A., Hjalmar S. Kühl, H. S., Menladi M. Lormie, M. M. and Junker, J. In press. Closing the data gap - results of the first nationwide chimpanzee Pan troglodytes verus and mammal survey across Liberia. Oryx, in press.

Tweh, C.G.; Kouakou. C.Y.; Hillers, A.; Kühl, H.S.; Lormie, M.L. and Junker, J. (in press). Closing the data gap - results of the first nationwide chimpanzee Pan troglodytes verus and mammal survey across Liberia. 13th Conference of the Gesellschaft fur Primatologie, February 6 - February 8, 2013, Hamburg.

URS Scott Wilson 2011 Blacklock, K. Western Range DSO Iron Ore Project Volume 5, Part 1.1: Socio-economic Baseline Study. URS Scott Wilson for ArcelorMittal.

URS Scott Wilson 2013 Blacklock, K. Nimba Western Area Iron Ore Concentrator Mining Project. Volume 5, Part 2: Social Impact Assessment. URS Scott Wilson for ArcelorMittal.

URS Scott Wilson 2011 Monadjem, A. Conservation status of bats (Chiroptera) within the ArcelorMittal Liberia Concession, with special emphasis on the Phase 1 footprint. URS Scott Wilson for ArcelorMittal).

URS Scott Wilson 2013 Phalan, B. Nimba Western Area Iron Ore Concentrator Mining Project. Volume 4, Part 2: Zoological Impact Assessment. URS Scott Wilson for ArcelorMittal.

http://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/pdfs/709.pdf

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/ai552e/ai552e00.pdf

http://www.iucnredlist.org/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/



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6.2 List of BCP and other Biodiversity Reports Supported by ArcelorMittal ArcelorMittal, 2012. Community and Conservation Forestry in the Nimba Forests: Report on the

Ganta Workshop, 15 to 16 November 2011. ArcelorMittal Liberia.

ArcelorMittal, 2012. Community and Conservation Forestry in the Nimba Forests: Summary Report on the Ganta Workshop, 15 to 16 November 2011. ArcelorMittal Liberia.

ArcelorMittal. 2012. Biodiversity Conservation Programme: Annual Report, July 2011 to June 2012. ArcelorMittal Liberia.

ArcelorMittal. 2013. Biodiversity Conservation Programme: Annual Report, July 2012 to June 2013. ArcelorMittal Liberia. [Superseded by this document]

ArcelorMittal. 2013. A Guide to the Snakes of Liberia. ArcelorMittal Liberia, September 2013.

Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. 2012. Agricultural and Livelihoods Assessment. Agricultural Relief Services for ArcelorMittal Liberia, November 2012.

Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. 2013. Summary of Findings: Oil Palm Value Chain Survey. Agricultural Relief Services for ArcelorMittal Liberia, March 2013.

Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. 2013. First Activities Report: Pilot Agricultural and Livelihood Project. Agricultural Relief Services for ArcelorMittal Liberia, April 2013.

Agricultural Relief Services, Inc. 2013. First Quarter Report: Conservation Agriculture and Livelihood Project. Agricultural Relief Services for ArcelorMittal Liberia, January 2014.

Bene, J. K., Gamys, J. and Dufour, S. 2013. A wealth of wildlife endangered in northern Nimba county, Liberia. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 2, 314–323.

Blei Joint Community Forest Management Body, 2012. Summaries of the Comprehensive Report on the Awareness Conducted by JCFMB on the MoU between the joint Community Forest Management Body and ArcelorMittal Conservation for the Protection and Management of the Blei Community Forest. Blei Joint Community Forest Management Body for ArcelorMittal Liberia, July 2012.

Co-Management Committee. 2013. Co-Management Committee (CMC) East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) Public Awareness Campaign – Report. Co-Management Committee, East Nimba Nature Reserve, March 2013.

Conservation International. 2012. “4-P” Workshop to Design a Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation in Northern Nimba Conservation Area (NNCA): Report on the Sanniquellie Workshop, October 31 – November 2 2012. Conservation International for ArcelorMittal Liberia, December 2012.

Conservation International, 2013. Community Consultations and Analysis in Twenty Towns in the Northern Nimba. Conservation International, April 2013.

Conservation International, 2013. Long Term, Sustainable Financing for Conservation in Nimba - White Paper. Conservation International for ArcelorMittal Liberia, August 2012.

Fauna and Flora International. 2013. East Nimba Nature Reserve Management Plan, First Draft. Fauna and Flora International for ArcelorMittal Liberia, December 2013.

Friends of Ecosystem and the Environment, Inc. 2013. Long Term Land Use Planning Process for the Northern Nimba Conservation Area (NNCA): Gap Analysis. Friends of Ecosystem and the Environment, Inc. for Conservation International and ArcelorMittal Liberia, June 2013.

Kpadeh, F. and Morgan, D. 2012. Report of the FDA Consultants at the ArcelorMittal Liberia Indigenous Tree Nursery, Yekepa, Nimba County. Kpadeh, F. & Morgan, D. for Forestry Development Authority and ArcelorMIttal Liberia, March 2012.

Kpadeh, F. and Morgan, D. 2012. Report of the FDA Consultants at the ArcelorMittal Liberia Mine Restoration Trials at Blue Lake, Mt. Nimba and Cellcom Tower, Mt Gbahm, Yekepa, Nimba County, Liberia. F. Kpadeh and D. Morgan for Forestry Development Authority and ArcelorMIttal Liberia, October 2012.



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Gale, J. 2012. East Nimba Nature Reserve: Protected Area Business Planning Framework. J. Gale for Conservation International and ArcelorMittal Liberia, November 2012.

Gba Community Forest Management Body, 2012. Activity Report on the Review of the MoU between Gba CFMB and AML in Towns and Villages in Gba Community, during May 2012. Gba Community Forest Management Body for ArcelorMittal Liberia, May 2012.

Gba Community Forest Management Body, 2012. Activity Report on the ArcelorMIttal Liberia Biodiversity Conservation Programme Scholarships Awareness in Gba Community, during July 2012. Gba Community Forest Management Body for ArcelorMittal Liberia, July 2012.

Henderson, O. 2013. East Nimba Nature Reserve: Protected Area Management Planning and Implementation: Report on the Ganta Workshop, 24 to 26 April 2013. O. Henderson for Conservation International and ArcelorMittal Liberia, April 2013.

Howell, K. 2013. East Nimba Nature Reserve: Non-Timber Forest Product Utilisation – Position Paper. K. Howell for ArcelorMittal Liberia, September 2013.

Manvell, A. 2013. Report of an Investigation into Continuous Cropping Opportunities in Northern Nimba. A. Manvell for ArcelorMittal Liberia, June 2013.

Marshall, C. A. M. and Hawthorne, W. D. 2013. Important Plants of Northern Nimba County, Liberia. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford and ArcelorMittal.

Marshall, P. 2013. East Nimba Nature Reserve: Capacity Needs Assessment, Gap Analysis and Project Design. P. Marshall for Fauna and Flora International and ArcelorMittal Liberia, July 2013.

Monadjem, A. 2013. Conservation Status of the Nimba Otter Shrew Micropotamogale lamoteii (Afrosoricida) within the ArcelorMittal Concession. A. Monadjem for ArcelorMittal Liberia, March 2013.

Monadjem, A., Richards, L., Taylor, P., Christiane, D., Dower, A. and Stoffberg, S. 2013. Diversity of Hipposideridae in the Mount Nimba massif, West Africa, and the taxonomic status of Hipposideros lamottei. Acta Chiropterologica, December 2013: 341-352.

Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment, 2012. Feasibility Assessment for Conservation Agreements for 5 Communities in Gbelegeh District, Nimba County. Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment, June 2012.

Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment. 2013. Community Engagement for Conservation Agreement in Dulay, Geipa, and Sehtontuo in Gbelegeh District, Nimba County. Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment, April 2013.

Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment. 2013. Piloting Conservation Agriculture around East Nimba Nature Reserve – First Quarter Final Report. Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment, August 2013. [First contract]

Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment. 2013. Piloting Conservation Agriculture around East Nimba Nature Reserve – First Quarter Report. Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment, January 2014. [Second contract]

Sáfián, Sz. 2012. Observation of hill-topping behaviour by the Giant African Swallowtail - Papilio antimachus Drury, 1782 and other recent records from Liberia (West Africa) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). SHILAP Revta. lepid., 40 (160), December 2012.

Sáfián, Sz., Libert, M. and Collins, S.C. 2013. Two new Aphnaeus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) species from Liberia. Zootaxa 3718(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3718.

Skills and Agricultural Development Services, 2012. Feasibility Assessment for Conservation Agreement in Liabala, New Yekepa, Unification Town and Bappa in Yarmein District, Nimba County. Skills and Agricultural Development Services for Conservation International, June 2012.

Skills and Agricultural Development Services, 2013. Community Engagement and Consultations for Conservation Agreement in Bappa, Liabala and Unification Camp communities around the East Nimba Nature Reserve in Yarmein District, Nimba County. Skills and Agricultural Relief Services, April 2013.

http://www.researchgate.net/researcher/79406013_Monadjem_A/

http://www.researchgate.net/researcher/2043547822_Leigh-Richards/

http://www.researchgate.net/researcher/2043558276_Taylor_P/

http://www.researchgate.net/researcher/9973349_Denys_C/

http://www.researchgate.net/researcher/2043554371_Dower_A/

http://www.researchgate.net/researcher/15958787_Stoffberg_S/

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/260105698_Diversity_of_Hipposideridae_in_the_Mount_Nimba_massif_West_Africa_and_the_taxonomic_status_of_Hipposideros_lamottei



http://www.bioone.org/loi/acta

http://www.bioone.org/toc/acta/15/2

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3718.2.7



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Tweh, C. G., Célestin Y. Kouakou, C. Y., Annika Hillers, A., Hjalmar S. Kühl, H. S., Menladi M. Lormie, M. M. and Junker, J. In press. Closing the data gap - results of the first nationwide chimpanzee Pan troglodytes verus and mammal survey across Liberia. Oryx, in press.

URS. 2013. Distribution Maps for Species of Conservation Concern in the Nimba Range, Liberia. URS for ArcelorMittal Liberia, April 2013.

Zor Community Forest Management Body, 2012. Zor Community Forest Management Body and ArcelorMittal Liberia Biodiversity Conservation Programme Memorandum of Understanding - Public Awareness Report. Zor Community Forest Management Body for ArcelorMittal Liberia, July 2012.

The posters on the following pages were produced by Clement Tweh and Menladie Lormie during their studentships at the Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, sponsored by the ArcelorMittal Liberia Biodiversity Conservation Programme.



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