In every region where CEPF invests there is an overall strategy behind the grants. A priority for CEPF's investment in the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya between 2004 and 2009 was improving our scientific understanding of the importance of these forests and using these data to improve livelihoods and achieve conservation gains at the grass roots as well as at policy levels.
Prior to CEPF's support, there were limited data available and gaining access to up-to-date information was difficult. The significant results of CEPF's investment included: 1) surveys of 37 lesser-known forests leading to the discovery of a minimum of 29 new vertebrate species; 2) updated threat status of 800 plants and 157 butterflies; 3) increased protected area coverage in Tanzania by 158,626 hectares through the gazettement of the Kilombero and Uluguru nature reserves by Tanzania's Forestry and Beekeeping Division; 4) defined key corridors between the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and the Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve and the Selous Game Reserve; 5) effected institution of a ban on illegal logging in Tanzania in 2004; and 6) supported 26 Tanzanian and Kenyan students to complete either master's or doctoral degrees in conservation-related studies.
In a bid to build upon these gains, CEPF is providing an additional $ 1.74 million as a suite of grants to civil society organizations. These grants seek to:
- Ensure financial sustainability of livelihood initiatives for people residing next to the priority forests Taita Hills and Kwale in Kenya; and East Usambara, Bunduki Gap, and Magombera in Tanzania.
- Consolidate the gains in increasing forest connectivity in priority sites including Taita Hills and Dakatcha woodlands in Kenya and Derema corridor, Bunduki Gap, Mngeta Corridor and Magombera Forest in Tanzania.
- Strengthen communication networks, raise awareness and solidify the education achievements for the long-term benefit of civil society.
- Make available biological and forest change data and integrate it with the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation plus carbon enhancement (REDD+).
Key to ensuring the success of this consolidation funding will be to integrate with similar and on-going investments in the region in the next three years including: 1) the UN REDD initiatives in Tanzania; 2) the Norwegian REDD+ pilot projects in Tanzania; 3) the GEF Coastal Forests Project in Tanzania; and 4) Coastal Forests Project in Kenya.