Climatelinks Photo Gallery

Bac Ma, National Park. Thua Tien Hue, Vietnam. March, 2020. The USAID Green Annamites Project supported the implementation of the Spatial Monitoring Reporting Tool (SMART), the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) and the installation of camera traps for biodiversity monitoring. Staff of protected areas and national parks in QN and TTH provinces (Vietnam) have been able to utilize the features of the SMART to synchronize and analyze data, thereby optimizing their patrolling plan. Management officials of the Forest Protection Department and Management Boards of Nature Reserve (NR) go in-depth in analyzing the results collected from METT to consolidate the development and adjustment of the annual management plan. The project strengthens biodiversity monitoring in the NRs through systematic camera traps, listening posts and forest cover analysis through geographic information technology (GIS). The project additionally installed of 153 camera traps in the NRs, conducted advance training on patrol skills, species identification and biodiversity monitoring for the specialized force on forest protection, at the same time, supported develop sustainable forest management plans for several NRs.

A fisherman is using a cast net in Hawaii national reserve in Guatemala. USAID Guatemala Project is generating information related to fishing efforts, sizes of the main species, catch volumes, fishing methods and gear to develop a Fisheries Management Program. Our program is working in Guatemalan south coast particularly in the RAMSAR site Manchon Guamuchal, Sipacate Naranjo National Park and Monterrico and Hawaii national reserves. Our efforts are aimed to get a sustainable fishing. Picture was tacken on December 19, 2019.

Location and date the photo was taken- Kwang'ethe Primary school on 2nd June 2020
Who is depicted in the photo-from right Muriuki Thiga, Lucy, James Gitau
What activity is depicted in the photo-planting of an indigenous tree
How the activity addresses climate change-Trees play a key role in the carbon cycle by utilising carbon iv oxide from the atmosphere as well as are key contributors of rain water from evapo-transpiration
Names of partner organizations involved in the program-Rotary District 9212 encironment programme, UNEP, Elephant Center, county Governments in Kenya.

In 2019, a National NGO, Humana People to People, South Africa (HPPSA) won a USAID cooperative agreement (as prime implementing partner) to use the Stepping Stones model to implement an HIV/AIDS program in Chief Albert Luthuli, Nkomazi, and in Bushbuckridge sub districts in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The focus of this model is the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) within the migrant and mobile populations in the target farming communities and informal settlements.
The model involves various sessions that aims at creating HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and empowering the AGYW mostly migrants from neighbouring Mozambique and Swaziland as they flock into the farming areas in search for jobs and a better life.
Most of these sessions take place in the open or under the tree. The tree as depicted in the picture is a natural attraction, as it welcomes all; human beings, birds, insects etc, providing shelter, food and absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere.
Just like by the “Rivers of Babylon” the AGYW sit down under the tree and get life lessons through the stepping stones sessions. Here they share their stories, think of their loved ones back home, but most importantly learn the survival skills; Skills to adapt and mitigate the harsh environmental conditions in the farms; skills to advocate and make their voices heard; skills to assist them practice Climate Smart Agriculture and hence ensure food security.

The photograph was taken at a local village near Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan.
In frame a local is examining the growth of the Acacia trees planted a few years ago
These trees not only help improve the surrounding biodiversity but also help improve the health of soil and also provides a cleaner and healthier climate

In the frame, a keeper is setting up the pit for a newly planted tree in a patch plantation campaign. Plantation patches are developed on lands usually unfit for cultivation where trees can easily survive. This not only make the soil fertile but also helps to reduce the carbon/pollution levels resulting in a cleaner and fresh climate. The picture was shot near Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan on 27th July, 2020.

Ka Lũy (on the right) literally wears her reverence for the natural world on her skin. A member of the K’Ho tribe, a once-nomadic ethnic minority group in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Lũy’s hand-woven dress is adorned with patterns and symbols representing mountains and trees. Lũy and many of her fellow K’Ho earn a significant portion of their income by patrolling the forests near the village of Kalatangu as part of Vietnam’s Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) program. The money makes a big difference in Lũy’s daily life, but also in laying a foundation for her children’s future. “Since we mostly do farming and we only earn a living from coffee and rice, an additional source of income from the forest for the remaining months is really necessary,” she says. As critical as the income from PFES is on a personal level, Lũy’s conviction about the importance of forests transcends her own circumstances. When asked if she has a message for those living far from the hills of Lam Dong Province, Lũy’s response is simple. “Let us join hands to protect our forest,” she says. “If we have forest, we will have a green, clean, and beautiful earth, as well.

K’Dắt (pictured far right) is something of a veteran when it comes to patrolling and protecting the forest near the Tà Lài Commune where he lives. K’Dắt joined the patrols to protect against illegal logging and poaching in 2014. But a big part of K’Dắt’s work takes place outside the cover of trees, in conversations with his fellow community members. “We try to convince people that forest resources are running out and we should not chop down trees or trap birds and animals,” he says. “At first people challenged us, but over time they managed to understand, since local people rely on the forest for their livelihood. Given the decreasing resources, people now understand.” As one of the leaders of his community’s patrols, K’Dắt receives 10 million Vietnamese Dong (about $430 dollars). It’s money that helps him send his 14-year-old daughter and young son to school while also helping cover other daily living expenses. While K’Dắt has spent much of his time convincing neighbors that forest protection is important, his message is universal. “I share the common global awareness forests are very useful to us,” he says. “They help absorb carbon, combat floods, storms and drought.”

Genie Abao (in photo), officer of Malatgao United Riverside Farmers Association in Quezon municipality, Palawan province and an indigenous Palaw'an leader of his community, is one the recipients of high-quality durian seedlings from the USAID-funded Protect Wildlife project in the Philippines.

The project rolled out an agroforestry and conservation agriculture initiative for its partner communities in Palawan to engage them in planting high-value fruit trees, like durian, which will not only increase tree cover in their forestlands and contribute to enhancing carbon sinks, but also provide livelihood opportunities for rural families.

A farmer in Quezon municipality, Palawan province is excited to start his own agroforestry venture through the assistance provided by USAID, through its Protect Wildlife project in the Philippines.

The project's agroforestry and conservation agriculture activities in southern Palawan is a climate-smart and biodiversity-friendly initiative to get local farmers, indigenous villages, and rural communities engaged in farming practices that are both sustainable and economically viable.

A great alternative to resource-intensive and emissions-heavy agriculture, agroforestry, when done right, can help restore forests and watersheds that boost carbon sequestration, while also enriching local biodiversity and ensuring food and nutritional security.

Farmers in Quezon municipality, Palawan province are excited to start their own agroforestry ventures through the assistance provided by USAID, through its Protect Wildlife project in the Philippines.

They are among the 600 agroforestry beneficiaries in southern Palawan trained by USAID Protect Wildlife on site preparation, planting, management, and maintenance of their fruit trees intercropped with vegetables, as well as sustainable and biodiversity-friendly farming practices. In 2019, the project distributed 4,000 durian tree seedlings for planting in approximately 400 hectares of forestland. This 2020, USAID Protect Wildlife will be training 1,500 households in southern Palawan and is scheduled to distribute 120,000 seedlings of other high-value tropical fruit trees, such as lanzones (Lansium parasiticum) and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum).

A great alternative to resource-intensive and emissions-heavy agriculture, climate-smart agroforestry, when done right, can help restore forests and watersheds that boost carbon sequestration, while also enriching local biodiversity.

This is "EARTH OUR HOME PROJECT" with Children Radio foundation and Mwanza Youth & Children Network. The program based on climate change awareness to young leaders, especially school leaders.
I am a youth facilitator and I am doing this initiative with Kitangiri Secondary School, and Nyasaka Secondary Students.

This is "EARTH OUR HOME PROJECT" with Children Radio foundation and
Mwanza Youth & Children Network. The program based on climate change
awareness to young leaders, especially school leaders.
I am a youth facilitator and I am doing this initiative with Kitangiri
Secondary School, and Nyasaka Secondary Students

Ecotourism is a huge contributor to Costa Rica's economy, and its history of success is related to the country's progressive environmental policies. In particular, forest conversion is heavily penalized, meaning that forests are less likely to be cut down to make room for livestock. Primary forests—those that have never been cut down—receive an even higher level of protection and are often monetized, such as at Costa Rica Sky Adventures, where this photo was taken. 

Places like this, which combine the thrill of heights with the landscape's natural beauty, offer tourists an opportunity to appreciate untouched forests while also learning about their high value and ecological importance. 

In Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, visitors can experience largely untouched primary forests and unmatched biodiversity, including the highest number of orchid species in a single place. Monteverde is a huge ecotourism success story, having been started by Quaker farmers in the 1970s and now drawing more than 70,000 visitors per year. Ferns like the one seen here are quite common in the understory of the cloud forest. 

However, even pristine examples of forest conservation like Monteverde are not immune to change. Monteverde is known worldwide as the habitat of the golden toad (Incilius periglenes), though it has not been seen in more than 20 years and is believed to be extinct. 

Costa Rica is famous for having only 0.03 percent of the Earth's landmass, but 6 percent of its biodiversity. As a result, ecotourism is a heavy hitter in Costa Rica's economy, and is often cited as a key to the country's economic development.

Costa Rica had a head start, having developed policies favorable to ecotourism as early as the 1990s. Even so, the country struggles with to balance its current status as a model for ecotourism with a history of unsustainable environmental management. For example, one of the country's primary sources of hydroelectric power, Lake Arenal, has diverted an entire watershed to the opposite side of the Continental Divide in an effort to bring water to the semi-arid Guanacaste province. Such initiatives were undertaken before strong environmental regulations came into effect, and the ecological damage is still unclear. Even so, Costa Rica is often lauded for a high level of renewable energy production sourced from the very same lake. 

One example of ecotourism is the Arenal Sky Walk, where visitors can take a hike that crosses numerous hanging bridges, each offering a rare view of the rainforest canopy. Epiphytes, such as those seen along this tree branch, are rarely seen as close.