Fundraising In Need

I am working with a wonderful nonprofit here Madagascar, ACCE, that is
in need of outside funding. Although this organization has been
functioning very well for over ten years, because of the political
situation here things are becoming more difficult. Many
international funding organizations (particularly those affiliated
with governments who expect countries to have presidents, the US for
example) have or are pulling out of Madagascar.

This means that environmental issues are particularly at risk because
international companies tend to really like lawlessness. So the aid
leaves, and the companies stay (mines, logging). It is an important
time to help Madagascar.

The organization I am working for has two primary protected areas
under its scope. These areas are ONLY protected because of our
organization. They include the flying fox, several species of lemurs
and several species of frogs. You may know that Madagascar is
considered an amazing biological jewel because of its near 100 percent
rates of endemism (meaning animals found here tend to only be found
here). ACCE trains Malagasy people as researchers so it is the
community people who watch over the protected areas and do scientific
research. Beyond the protected areas, ACCE is all about helping the
communities--indeed the ultimate driving force is that we humans need
a safe ecosystem to live healthy lives. To this end, school building
and income generating activities have been part of the ACCE mission.

This Fall, ACCE is hoping to host an international bat festival to
foster scientific dialogue and to teach communities about the
ecological role that bats play in Madagascar. In addition to this,
we are in the process of developing a small and environmentally
friendly community based ecotourism loop near the region where I am
living. This way the Malagasy people who are so diligently protecting
the forests under the advisement of ACCE can begin to earn much needed
income. We have many more projects in the works; but those two give
you a sense of the kinds of work ACCE does in addition to monitoring
the protected areas.

If you would like to help me research potential donors, or know of a
private individual who would consider donating to this cause, contact
me at monicayancey@gmail.com. Any support or advisement is useful to
me. I should also mention that you would be surprise how little money
it takes to run an entire organization here what with exchange rates
being what they are.

Below; I have pasted a little more information about the organization.

ACCE Partners- Past and Present

University of Aberdeen
Peace Corps
Lubee Bat Conservancy
Embassy of Great Britain
Conservation International
Fauna Flora International
Seacology
Darwin Initiative
USAID

ACCE Activities

Scientific Research and Conservation Site Management
ACCE has conducted studies and research about P. Rufus with specialist
groups (Universities, biologists, NGOs) to learn about the species.
ACCE completed research includes: studied the ecological role of P.
Rufus, travel and distance of P. Rufus through radio tracking,
determined diet of P. Rufus through feces collection and analysis by
planting in a pepiniere.

Managing Conversation Sites
The integration of conservation sites into the system of protected
areas is key. The habitat of P. Rufus and many amphibian species are
generally located outside of protected areas. Consequently, the
situation is not favorable for conservation of the species. To
enforce protective actions, the focal sites of conservation which
should be included in the system-protected areas are the humid forest
of Ambohidray, the forest of Besariaka in the NAP CAZ and the roost of
P. Rufus in Ambakoana and Analabe.

Monitoring
To know the development and dynamic of the population of P. Rufus, the
daily counting of individual P. Rufus was adopted. The counting takes
place in each of the roosts of P. Rufus in Amboasary Gara and
Antaniditra. This activity permits the evaluation of our conservation
of the species and with that we can change our conservation strategies
if needed.

Education and Public Awareness
Developing long term conservation, education and public awareness is
crucial especially for the edible species like P. Rufus and some
species of amphibians. The importance and significance of the
species' environmental impact are sometimes unknown by the population
which makes conservation difficult. The goal of education and public
awareness is to offer the population a new vision for the bats which
allows the communities to adopt a favorable attitude about the
species. To this end, ACCE has brought education and public awareness
about the importance of the ecological role that P. Rufus plays at two
communities: Amboasary Gara and Antaniditra. Primary schools have
been targeted in the Alaotra Mangoro region with teacher trainings
about ecological roles of three Megachiropterian bats and 28
Microchiropterian bats. Two picture competitions for schools, one of
which required students to create a story board drawing related to
bats and conservation, have been facilitated. Our activities are done
through partnerships with local authorities and a biologist from the
University of Alberdeen.

Conservation
Conserving biodiversity has massive implications for local
communities. ACCE's strategy is to collaborate closely with local
communities though raising public awareness. The concept is that if
the population participates with the conservation activities they can
become responsible for and fully engage with environmental protection.
To achieve this goal, ACCE has established a DINA (Traditional Local
Law) regarding bat conservation in seven rural communities in the
district of Moramanga: Amboasary Gara, Antaniditra, Mangarivotra
(ex-Beparasy), Morarano Gara, Fierenana, Andaingo, and Belavabary and
created management committees for the seven communities. The community
created and still maintains a pare-feux (a fire stopping trench around
the conservation site) for the conversation site of P. Rufus, which
has already proven effective in keeping a forest fire from the roost.

Community Aid
Preserving biodiversity creates certain restrictions for communities
regarding their use of the natural environment. Therefore, it is
necessary and important to find alternative activities for the
communities. Establishing alternative activities ensures the
integrity of the biodiversity and provides communities with activities
that can increase their quality of life without depending on the
environment in harmful ways. Alternative activities must meet the
needs of the community and as such, the community can embrace the need
for environmental conservation. ACCE activities include
reforestation of the Fokotany of Ambohidava, Ambohimiarina and
Amboasary. ACCE provided 2,500 young plants for the communities of
Mahatsara in the commune of Antaniditra, Marotsipohy, Maroharona and
Amboasary. ACCE has also worked with community members to create a
tree farm in Analasoa in the commune of Amboasary. Knowledge has been
transferred regarding bee keeping, fish farming and raising chickens
in Mahatsara in the commune of Antaniditra, Marotsipohy, Anosibe,
Antanifotsy, and Analasoa in the commune of Amboasary.