Since beginning research at Tsinjoarivo in 2000, I have increasingly tried to combine research activities with education, conservation and local development. In 2007, Jean-Luc Raharison, Karen Samonds and I formed Sadabe Madagascar, an NGO dedicated to promoting the coexistence of humans and wildlife. With support from Rainforest Trust (USA) and in partnership with Madagasikara Voakajy (Antananarivo), Sadabe is currently leading a 5-year project to expand education, conservation and development activities, as part of the creation of the new Tsinjoarivo-Ambalaomby protected area. Below is a brief summary of our activities to date; please visit Sadabe's website for more information: Sadabe Madagascar

Education:

Starting in 2003, our research teams have made periodic visits to local schools (particularly those at Mahatsinjo and Antenina) to hold educational sessions. These included sharing information about the research project, lessons on Madagascar’s biodiversity and language lessons. During these sessions and other visits to village officials, we distributed a conservation pamphlet (“The Lemurs of Tsinjoarivo”), and lemur t-shirts, hats and posters. In 2003 and 2007, we held all-day events for school children during which we brought groups of children into the forest to view the sifaka groups. Despite growing up in the region, many had never seen the animals up close. Finally, in 2004 we designed and constructed informational billboards which were installed at Tsinjoarivo, Mahatsinjo and Vatateza.

First meeting at Mahatsinjo, 2001

Meeting for kids at Mahatsinjo, 2001

Because of the underfunded and under-regulated nature of rural schools in Madagascar, the education received in these areas is generally shorter and less helpful than in urban areas. Schools lack supplies and even strong buildings, and teachers are underpaid and under-equipped to teach. In 2004, we collaborated with the Madagascar Ankizy Fund and private donors to build a new public school building in Mahatsinjo, the R.A.H. King school. This building is the only concrete building in the area, and four teachers are working to educate not only the Mahatsinjo children, but many others from neighbouring areas. In 2012, SADABE assumed responsibility for the school, and in 2014 it was officially handed to the local school district. SADABE continues to assist with supplies and programming.

More recently, education efforts have been subsumed within the protected area creation initiative, and include both environmental education, the construction of a secondary school, and training in agriculture and landscape management.

Sadabe t-shirt, designed by Stephen Nash

Sadabe billboards installed in 2004

The new school at Mahatsinjo, 2005

Students at Mahatsinjo, 2005

Conservation:

In June 2005, Jean-Luc Raharison and I started the Mahatsinjo Co-operative Reforestation Initiative, a project designed to reclaim currently unused fallow land and grow corridors between isolated forest fragments. This project is moving ahead as a collaboration between our research project (TFFP), the local people of Mahatsinjo, the Mayor of Tsinjoarivo Commune, and the Water and Forest Service office at Ambatolampy. The initiative was launched at a meeting attended by all parties during which 12 corridor areas were decided upon by consensus for the first round of corridor building.

Tree nursery constructed in 2005

The first phase (2005-2006) involved marking corridor areas and experimental plantings of various pioneer trees that grow well in full sunlight - including Seva (Solanum mauritianum) and Voarafy (Maesa lanceolata), two common species at Tsinjoarivo.  We also built a tree nursery and started to produce seedlings (a mix of nursery-grown and transplanted seedlings was used to maximize production).