The Turing Foundation - Nature Conservation

Below is a list of older nature conservation projects. More recent projects can be found on our nature project page.

Older nature conservation projects :

January 2011	Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2011-2012 The Peace Parks Foundation dedicates itself to nature reserves located at countries' border regions,... more	October 2010	NGO capability and community involvement, Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, 2010 In Mauritania, local NGOs are trained and alternative sources of income for the local community are created... more
October 2010	Sustainable conservation and food security, Région Maritime, Togo 2010 In 20 villages in the very poor southeast of Togo, 4.000 farmers are trained in organic farming and... more	October 2010	Protection of natural resources in Timbuktu, Mali, 2010 In ten villages in the Timbuktu region primarily women will be trained in organic market gardening and small livestock... more
October 2010	Communal management of grazing land and forest restoration in Ségou, Mali, 2010 The agricultural region Ségou frequently suffers from food shortages caused by the exhaustion of... more	October 2010	Sustainable management of the forest of Koubaye, Mali, 2010 This project aims to protect and restore 7,700 km2 of forest by making environmental agreements between the authorities... more
October 2010	Ecological sustainability and the promotion of (small) livestock farming, Burkina Faso, 2010 In this project Heifer and the Louis Bolk Institute collaborate in the neighbourhood... more	July 2010	Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2010 The Peace Parks Foundation is devoted to protecting those natural areas that are located across the borders... more
July 2010	Preservation of Natural Resources, Timbuktu, Mali, 2010 Because of years of draught and a fast population growth, the natural vegetation of the Timbuktu region is under pressure. Because of this... more	March 2010	Regreening Initiative, Niger, 2010 Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, with three-quarters of its surface covered by desert and 85% of its population being entirely... more
March 2010	Promotion and improvement of biological shea nut farming, Burkina Faso, 2010 For millions of African people, in particular women, the shea nut provides one of the most important... more	January 2010	€3.000.000,- for the Coral Triangle Initiative 2010-2012 There is no place on earth that is home to such great biodiversity as the coral triangle. The Turing Foundation contributes € 3,000,000 to... more
October 2009	Communal management of grazing land and forest restoration in Ségou, Mali, 2009 The agricultural region Ségou frequently suffers from food shortages caused by the exhaustion of... more	October 2009	Protection of natural resources in Timbuktu, Mali, 2009 In ten villages in the Timbuktu region primarily women will be trained in organic market gardening and small livestock... more
October 2009	Ecological sustainability and the promotion of (small) livestock farming, Burkina Faso, 2009 In this project Heifer and the Louis Bolk Institute collaborate in the neighbourhood... more	October 2009	Sustainable Agricultural Programmes, Burkina Faso 2009 In Burkina Faso, the Hunger Project is working on the improvement of sustainable agricultural methods, the protection of affected parcels of forest, the... more
October 2009	Forest conservation on small-scale cacao plantations, Wassa Amenfi District, Ghana, 2009-2010 The Rural Environmental Care Association (RECA) focuses on the sustained use of land... more	October 2009	Sustainable management of the forest of Koubaye, Mali, 2009 This project aims to protect and restore 7,700 km2 of forest by making environmental agreements between the authorities... more
October 2009	Developing organic vegetable gardens and orchards - Séguénéga, Burkina Faso, 2009-2010 The Burkinan organisation ADECUSS will teach 300 women in the extremely poor and dry northern... more	July 2009	Restoration and protection of local ecosystems, Région des Savanes, Togo, 2009-2010 In the Région des Savanes in Northern Togo, a very poor region, the ecosystem is deteriorating at... more
July 2009	Preservation of Natural Resources, Timbuktu, Mali, 2009 Because of years of draught and a fast population growth, the natural vegetation of the Timbuktu region is under pressure. Because of this... more	January 2009	Promotion and improvement of biological shea nut farming, Burkina Faso, 2009 For millions of African people, in particular women, the shea nut provides one of the most important... more
October 2008	Establishing Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2009 The Peace Parks Foundation is devoted to protecting those natural areas that are located... more	October 2008	Teacher training and nature education, Ido Eco Community, Tanzania, 2008-2010 Hugo van Lawick devoted his life to observing and capturing nature. He was married to Jane Goodall and... more
July 2008	The Coral Triangle Initiative, 2008-2012 There is no place on earth that is home to such great biodiversity as the coral triangle. The Turing Foundation contributes € 3,000,000 to... more	July 2008	Sustainable Cocoa Production Eastern and Ashanti Region, Ghana, 2008-2010 As in many other countries, the production of cocoa leads to serious deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana... more
July 2008	Sustainable Agricultural Programmes, Burkina Faso, 2008 In Burkina Faso, the Hunger Project is working on the improvement of sustainable agricultural methods, the protection of affected parcels of forest, the... more	July 2008	Restoration of Mountain Forests by Introduction of Analogue Forestry, Bamenda High Mountains, Cameroon, 2008-2010 The high mountains of Bamenda are sometimes referred to as the storehouse of Cameroon... more
July 2008	Community Forest, Bamenda High Mountains, Cameroon, 2008-2010 ANCO introduces and stimulates sustainable agriculture and other types of sustainable sources of income... more	May 2008	Preservation of Natural Resources, Timbuktu, Mali, 2008 Because of years of draught and a fast population growth, the natural vegetation of the Timbuktu region is under pressure. Because of this... more
November 2007	€ 1.000.000,- for sustainable IUCN agricultural projects in Africa, 2009-2010 After the realization of several successful projects within the Small Grants Programme of IUCN Nederland, the Turing Foundation has decided... more	September 2007	Ecosystem Management for the Murciellagos Bay, Philippines, 2007-2009 Murciellagos Bay is a breeding ground of important and diverse ecosystems, coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grass beds and rare... more
September 2007	Sustainable management of the biodiversity in the Lamit Bay, Philippines, 2007-2010 The biodiversity of the Lamit Bay is threatened by commercial overfishing and dynamite fishing. The local community will cooperate to create a network of... more	July 2007	€3.000.000,- for the Coral Triangle Initiative 2007-2012 There is no place on earth that is home to such great biodiversity as the coral triangle. The Turing Foundation contributes € 3,000,000 to... more
July 2007	Dungonab Bay and Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park, Sudan, 2007-2009 African Parks helps the Sudanese government in managing, conserving and restoring two national parks. The Turing Foundation contributes 1 million euros to the Sanganeb Atoll Marine... more	July 2007	Sustainable agriculture/forestry in the Missahoe Forest Reserve, Togo, 2007-2009 The IUCN is recovering part of a rainforest that has been seriously impoverished due to human activities, but still houses... more
July 2007	Sustainable small-scaled agriculture in Borgou, Benin, 2007-2009 In Benin, the IUCN and the CRFA work on alternative and improved agricultural systems around the Antisua community forest... more	July 2007	Sustainable management of wetlands around Lake Doro, Mali, 2007-2009 9,500 people live in eight villages in the tidal area within the project region in South-West Mali: farmers, cattle-breeding nomads and fishermen. These people... more

The Coral Triangle Initiative

€3.000.000,- for the Coral Triangle Initiative 2007-2012
No place on earth has such great biodiversity as the Coral Triangle. The triangle covers almost 6,000,000 km2 and stretches out as far as Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, East Timor and Brunei Darussalam. The triangle is a true nursery of the sea, being the home of 75% of all coral species and of more than 3,000 different fish species.

The area is seriously threatened by a range of factors, such as overfishing, destructive fishing (for example by the use of dynamite and cyanide), global warming and pollution.

Here, the World Wildlife Federation is setting up one of its largest and most ambitious projects ever, which aims to introduce a new, long term model for the sustainable management of this wildlife area - before the combination of threatening factors will have left a permanent mark on it, and on the millions of households that depend on it.

The project requires a whole range of simultaneous initiatives that address the various threats. If organised in the proper way, the initiatives will reinforce each other. A specially formed Coral Triangle Team will coordinate the entire project, and will in the coming years revise the strategy if necessary - possibly by developing new initiatives.

The eventual purpose of this project is to save the nurseries of the Coral Triangle, which are of vital importance to the conservation of a healthy ecosystem in the oceans and along the coasts of the Coral Triangle.

In the six years to come, the Turing Foundation contributes € 3,000,000 in total to the six sub-initiatives that are part of the first phase of the programme. These six initiatives are described below.

1. Sustainable Finance for Networks of Marine Protected Areas

A new foundation will be established for the identification and management of protected marine areas in the Coral Triangle, which consist of 50,000 km2 of coral reefs, 50,000 km2 of mangrove forests, and breeding grounds and migration routes of important fish species in 500,000 km2 of open water.

The foundation helps to bridge budget gaps, until the local governments have their financial situations in order. The foundation is also able to offer immediate help should there be urgent needs in the protected areas.

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 600,000 to this foundation.

A 1.5 metre Napoleon fish. These special coral fish are captured alive and then kept in the aquaria of very chic restaurants. Sometimes ten thousand square metres of coral are poisoned by cyanide to stun just one fish, after which the divers haul the stunned animal up between the coral into a mobile aquarium.

2. Managing Tuna nurseries and bycatch

Tuna fishing yields food and income for tens of millions of people living in the Coral Triangle. Besides, tuna plays a crucial role in the ecology of the coral reefs.

The governments in the Coral Triangle acknowledge that their fishing areas can be continuous sources of food and income, as long as they are managed in the right way. Therefore, they have laid down laws for the sustainable use of these areas. However, structural overfishing has been taking place during the past twenty years.

Together with the business community and the government strategies and solutions will have to be designed to prevent the loss of tuna production in the Coral Triangle. The Turing Foundation will donate € 650,000 to this sub-initiative, which will run until 2010.

3. Live Reef Fish Trade Transformation

This programme intends to achieve a recovery of the diverse fish population in the Coral Triangle, and a reduction of destructive fishing methods (such as dynamite fishing). One of the actions is the establishment of a Trade Association in the fishing industry (especially in Hong Kong) to promote sensible trade in the species of fish concerned. Simultaneously, plans will be made to encourage consumers to buy only fish that has been MSC certified.

Analysis of Live Reef Fisg Trade Routes in the Coral Triangle

Analysis of Live Reef Fisg Trade Routes in the Coral Triangle

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 300,000 to the LRFTT-programme, which will run until 2010.

4. Protecting Endangered Turtles

Six out of the seven species of sea turtles we have on this earth live in the Coral Triangle. The animals are threatened most by the accidental bycatch of fishermen and by the loss of breeding habitat along the coasts. These majestic animals do not only play a principle role in the tourist industry; they also have an important symbolic meaning in initiatives and fundraising related to the protection of the Coral Triangle.

The main purpose of this sub-project is to make certain that half of all migration routes, feeding areas and breeding habitats of sea turtles have a protected status by 2010. Moreover, WWF intends to halve the fishery bycatch of turtles, for example by distributing more than 300,000 circle hooks among the fisher fleet for the prevention of bycatch.

Sea turtle in the Coral Triangle

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 250,000 to this sub-project.

5. Responding to Climate Change through reduction of Tourism and travel footprint

Global warming is bad for coral reefs - the corals will bleach, lose all their colour and eventually die. This is at the expense of marine life; it will limit fishing opportunities and reduce opportunities for tourism (which is an important source of income and an important stimulus for the protection of the corals).

It is possible to help the coral reefs by avoiding any further negative impact of climate change, by reducing other disturbing effects on their health (such as polluting industries, tourism and fishing).

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 600,000 to this sub-initiative, which will run until 2010.

6. Other projects

The Coral Triangle Initiative is a dynamic programme. It can be expected that extra activities are needed in the years to come in order to guarantee the success of the total project. Extra budget is already being made available for such future activities.

The Turing Foundation subscribes to this realistic viewpoint and commits € 600,000 support to these currently unnamed sub-projects.

see also:
      Miljoenenschenking voor WNF-koraalproject (WWF)
      Donation for Coral Protection (EZNC)
Dr. Lida Pet Soede over het Coral Triangle Initiative (Television)
      The Coral Triangle Initiative (WWF website)
      Wereld Natuur Fonds: other projects

Nurseries of the sea

Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2011-2012
The Peace Parks Foundation dedicates itself to nature reserves located at countries' border regions, and strives for sustainable economic development, biodiversity, peace and stability in those regions. Ultimate responsibility for the parks lies with the respective countries. The Lubombo Transfrontier Park is located at the border of Mozambique and South Africa's coastal region. It holds a wealth of coral reefs, wetlands, whales and tortoises and as a result, it has great touristic potential.

On July 14, 2009, thanks to the efforts of the Peace Parks Foundation and the Turing Foundation's contribution, Lubombo became the very first cross-border Marine Protected Area confirmed by both Mozambique and South Africa governments. The park's touristic development is currently being worked on. It is important to act fast, so the park can be realized keeping in mind both sustainability and respect for nature. On top of that, the sea area needs to be protected from poachers and large fish trawlers. There are currently only 800 people living in the area, and they are entirely dependent on the sea. They will be trained in sustainable fishing methods, coastal protection and tourism.

The Turing Foundation contributes €635,000 (€70,000 of which in 2011) to the realization and preservation of this very first African Transfrontier Marine Protected Area.

17 May 2011: Official opening of the new Mozambique headquarters, financed by the Turing Foundation, with (among others, from left to right) Milou Halbesma (Turing), Mr. Fernando Sumbana (Minister for Tourism), Governor Maria Jonas, Werner Myburgh (CEO Peace Parks) and Miguel Gonsalvez (sea park manager).

NGO capability and community involvement, Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, 2010
The FIBA (Fondation Internationale du Banc d'Arguin), WWF and the local community will be setting up and carrying out a plan for the sustainable preservation of West Africa's most important nursery: Mauritania's 14,000 square kilometer coastline. The area's importance has also been acknowledged by both UNESCO and Ramsar. The project will consist of the training of local NGO's and creating alternative sources of income for the local community. First and foremost, it will be aimed at the eight villages (1200 people) in the park itself. After that, the plan will also concern itself with the villages that are located outside the area, but are still financially dependent on the nature reserve.

The Turing Foundation will donate €75,000 to the project's first phase.

Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania

Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2010
The Peace Parks Foundation is devoted to protecting those natural areas that are located across the borders between countries. The foundation's main goal is to establish sustainable economic development, biodiversity, peace and stability in the region surrounding the park. The final responsibility for the parks remains with the countries.

The Lubombo Transfrontier Park is located by the coast and on the borderline of Mozambique and South Africa. It offers a wealth of coral reefs, wetlands, whales and tortoises, which give it great tourist potential. Now that the situation in Mozambique seems to become more stable, tourist development is conceivable again - even more so given the fact that the park is located between Mozambique's capital, Maputo and the economic powerhouse of South Africa, Gauteng. It is important that prompt action is taken, so that a sustainable park can be established, with respect for nature. Apart from that, the marine area must be protected against threats such as poachers and large fish trailers.

The area is home to no more than 800 people, who fully depend on the sea for their daily sustenance. They will be trained in sustainable fishing practices, coast guarding and tourism.

The Turing Foundation donates € 635,000 in the period 2009-2012 to the establishment and protection of the first African 'Transfrontier Marine Protected Area'.

August 2011: One of 'our' park rangers at work in the Marine Reserve

Establishing Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2009
The Peace Parks Foundation is devoted to protecting those natural areas that are located across the borders between countries. The foundation's main goal is to establish sustainable economic development, biodiversity, peace and stability in the region surrounding the park. The final responsibility for the parks remains with the countries.

The area is home to no more than 800 people, who fully depend on the sea for their daily sustenance. They will be trained in sustainable fishing practices, coast guarding and tourism.

In the coming four years, the Turing Foundation donates € 635,000 to the establishment and protection of the first African 'Transfrontier Marine Protected Area'.

The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and resource Area - Mozambique

Ecosystem Management for the Murciellagos Bay, Philippines, 2007-2009
Murciellagos Bay is a breeding ground of important and diverse ecosystems. The bay covers 8,000 hectares and is home to rare and endangered fish, shellfish and sea turtle species. The area is threatened by pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing. The Philippine organisation PARTS (Partner for Rural & Technical Service) tries to have part of the coral reefs, mangrove forests and sea grass beds identified as Marine Protected Areas, so as to stop illegal fishing practices and encourage the recovery of the ecosystem and fish stock. The ambition is to achieve a sustainable balance between nature conservation and the local economy, for instance by strengthening the fishing organisations in most of the 24 local fishing villages, and by investing in nature education for the local community.

The Turing Foundation and IUCN Nederland will together contribute the sum of € 90,000 to this project, which runs until June 2009. see also: IUCN Nederland: other projects

Fishing village, Murciellagos Bay, The Philippines

Sustainable management of the biodiversity in the Lamit Bay, Philippines, 2007-2010
The Philippine organisation NSLC (Network of Sustainable Livelihoods Catalysts) is devoted to a sustainable conservation of Philippine nature. The rich biodiversity of Lamit Bay is threatened by commercial overfishing and dynamite fishing. The local community, dependent on fishing and on the cultivation of red seaweed, will cooperate in the protection of a network of 'no-take zones' covering 350 hectares (in the form of Marine Protected Areas). Expectations are that this protection of coral reefs, sea grass areas and mangrove forests will lead to the sustainable conservation of the entire bay (50,000 hectares). The training of the local community and the tapping of sustainable alternative sources of income play an essential role in this project.

The Turing Foundation and IUCN Nederland will together contribute € 88,000 towards the costs of the project until July 2010. see also: IUCN Nederland: other projects

10% improved coral cover measured in Lamit Bay at the end of the project (july 2010)

Dungonab Bay and Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park, Sudan, 2007-2009
African Parks helps African governments in managing, conserving and restoring seven National Parks. The foundation raises funds during the initial phase (sometimes lasting decades), sets up a financially sustainable park management and supports the economically sustainable development of the communities in and around the parks.

Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park is the only Atoll in the Red Sea, located approximately 23 kilometres off the coast, near Port Sudan. Relatively unspoiled coral reefs can be found here, including the fauna associated with them. The park covers roughly 25 km2 (and 250 km2 including the buffer zone surrounding it). The area has been nominated twice to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Dungonab Bay National Park, located on the West coast of the Red Sea, consists of 800 km2 of coast, coral reefs and islands. The park offers a great diversity of habitats and animal species, amongst which important endangered species such as the Dugong. Two villages (one of which is Dungonab) are located within the park boundaries. The commitment of the population and their sustainable economic development therefore form a very important part of the management plan for the park.

During the coming five years, the Turing Foundation contributes € 1,000,000 to the protection and establishment of a sustainable management of these two national parks.

Update October 2008
Unfortunately African Parks Network has had to withdraw from Dungonab and Sanganeb Marine Parks in Sudan as a result of the lapsing of their initital three-year agreement.
The Turing Foundation contribution of € 100.000 in 2007 to the Parks in Sudan was largely invested in two important components of the project, namely infrastructure and capacity building. The field station was built near Mohammed Qol and will hopefully continue to be used for park management like field monitoring by the Sudanese authorities. Also the Turing Foundation invested in capacity building of staff. Some 18 rangers received training in car mechanics, welding techniques and electricity, first aid and fire fighting skills. Others received SCUBA training. These young staff members are now much better prepared for their future and hopefully they will be used in a manner that benefits their training.
The principal lesson learnt for African Parks is that it has reinforced their own approach in that they will not take on any future project unless Government commits to a full, long term mandate up front that allows them to manage the park.
The Turing Foundation understands and respects the withdrawal, and wishes to thank African Parks for the good cooperation and excellent reports we received during the project. Consequently the Turing Foundation withdraws its commitment of the remaining € 900.000, which was dependant on the conslusion of a new, long term agreement with the Governement of Sudan.
The Turing Foundation will continue to invest in other marineprojects to protect and sustain nurseries of the sea around the world. It is to be hoped that the numerous fish and very important coral reefs in the marine parks in Sudan can be preserved in the near future.

Dungonab Bay Marine National Park

Sustainable organic agriculture and cattle breeding

Sustainable conservation and food security, Région Maritime, Togo 2010
Since 2003, the R.C. Maagdenhuis Foundation has been working with local organization CREMA (Centre de Recherche et d'Essai de Modeles d'Autopromotion). For this project, their joint goal is to train 4,000 farmers from the very poor southeast of Togo in organic farming to increase corn produce. Trees will be planted (velvet bean and pigeon pea) for soil enrichment, and the project will also provide a strengthening of CREMA's own capacity. This way, nature will be restored and protected, and the living standard of twenty villages will be structurally improved.

The Turing Foundation will contribute €33,000 to the project.

Sustainable conservation and food security, Région Maritime, Togo 2010-2011

Protection of natural resources in Timbuktu, Mali, 2010
In ten villages in the Timbuktu region primarily women will be trained in organic market gardening and small livestock farming and in the use of wood-saving ovens. One hundred of the poorest women in these villages will receive a micro credit for 2 goats, 1 male and one female, and seed to grow fodder for the animals. Two hectares of forest will be planted per village. To accomplish this, the villagers are provided with seed, and they are trained in growing trees for their own use and for sale. The establishment of an agreement on protecting the environment between various local authorities forms the basis of this project (Conventions Locales). This is even a resolutive condition for receiving this grant.

The Turing Foundation supports the Malian organisation AMSS through the development organisation ICCO (a total sum of € 106,000). The project runs until mid 2011. AMSS collaborates with the Malian Turing partners OMAES, ALPHALOG and GRAT.

Family garden, Turing project visit, November 2010

Communal management of grazing land and forest restoration in Ségou, Mali, 2010
The agricultural region Ségou frequently suffers from food shortages caused by the exhaustion of agricultural and grazing land. Forests are chopped down for fire wood and frequently disputes arise about the scarce wells and between nomadic herdsmen and landowners. In order to stop the advancing desert, this project teaches the local population to grow their own trees for replanting or for sale, wells are being dug for the livestock and trees are being planted, such as the baobab that is threatened with extinction. In order to restore the ecological balance, at least 50 hectares of forest are to be planted every year. In addition, members of the local authority and other people involved are trained in communal environmental management.

The Turing Foundation supports the Malian organisation ALPHALOG through the development organisation ICCO (a total sum of € 110,000). The project runs until mid 2011. ALPHALOG collaborates with the Malian Turing partners OMAES, AMSS and GRAT.

Reforestation of desertified soil. Turing project visit, November 2010

Sustainable management of the forest of Koubaye, Mali, 2010
This project aims to protect and restore 7,700 km2 of forest by making environmental agreements between the authorities of four local communities. Environmental education will be given to 8,000 adults and children. A thousand wood-saving ovens will distributed and village blacksmiths will be taught how to produce them. The local people will also be trained in growing trees, both for replanting in the forest and for sale. Women will be trained in organic market gardening (seed will also be made available) and livestock farming (micro credits will be given for goats, male and female). GRAT will also dig 15 wells.

The Turing Foundation supports the Malian organisation GRAT through the development organisation ICCO (a total sum of € 63,500). The project runs until mid 2011. GRAT collaborates with the Malian Turing partners OMAES, ALPHALOG and AMSS.

Women using wood-saving ovens. Turing project visit, November 2010

Ecological sustainability and the promotion of (small) livestock farming, Burkina Faso, 2010
In this project Heifer and the Louis Bolk Institute collaborate in the neighbourhood of the villages Gonsé and Gampela. The Burkinan organisation ASUDEC gives 'living loans' according to the Heifer philosophy: families receive chickens, goats and sheep and the loan is paid off by passing on the offspring of the livestock. The manure of the livestock is used as organic fertilizer in agricultural farming and market gardening. The families are trained in sustainable agricultural methods and the production of more varied and productive crops. In order to restore the ecosystem, 15,000 young trees and bushes are being planted.

The Turing Foundation financed this project of the Burkinan organisation ASUDEC through the Heifer/Louis Bolk Institute (€ 35,000).

ASUDEC community garden, Turing project visit, Gampela, November 2010, Burkina Faso

Preservation of Natural Resources, Timbuktu, Mali, 2010
Because of years of draught and a fast population growth, the natural vegetation of the Timbuktu region is under pressure. Because of this, important sources of income for the local population are threatened to be lost. The Dutch development organisation ICCO and the Malinese organisation OMAES are running a project in 10 villages in this region in North Mali, which offers alternative sources of income to the women of the 15 poorest households in each village (market gardening and durable small live stock holding) including training.

The Turing Foundation contributes € 100,000 to this project (€ 30.000,- in 2010).

Timbuktu region, Mali

Regreening Initiative, Niger, 2010
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, with three-quarters of its surface covered by desert and 85% of its population being entirely dependent on agriculture. Both Ends and the VU Centre for International Cooperation, in association with local organisation CRESA, want to help start the natural regeneration of 80 hectares of land by creating a 'green zone', and by doing so recover nature and improve local living standards. A total of 1,200 farmers and 60 technicians will be trained in afforestation and forest restoration, and 40 village committees will be supplied with necessary materials.

The Turing Foundation will donate a total amount of €118,000 to the project that will run until late 2011.

Regreening Initiative, Niger

Promotion and improvement of biological shea nut farming, Burkina Faso, 2010
For millions of African people, in particular women, the shea nut provides one of the most important sources of income. Forest fires, logging and the use of non-sustainable artificial fertilizer pose severe threats to the shea nut trees in Burkina Faso. Moreover, traditional production methods are hardly eficient. The local Association Songtaab-Yalgre and IUCN Nederland seek to advance biological farming through training and thus to increase the production of shea nuts. Their goal is also to guarantee the women's access to the shea nut trees by, for example, stimulating fresh plantings and lobbying with authorities for women's rights.

The Turing Foundation financed the full costs (€58,000) of this project, which runs from 2009 until the end of 2010.

Women of Songtaaba, Turing project visit, November 2010

Communal management of grazing land and forest restoration in Ségou, Mali, 2009
The agricultural region Ségou frequently suffers from food shortages caused by the exhaustion of agricultural and grazing land. Forests are chopped down for fire wood and frequently disputes arise about the scarce wells and between nomadic herdsmen and landowners. In order to stop the advancing desert, this project teaches the local population to grow their own trees for replanting or for sale, wells are being dug for the livestock and trees are being planted, such as the baobab that is threatened with extinction. In order to restore the ecological balance, at least 50 hectares of forest are to be planted every year. In addition, members of the local authority and other people involved are trained in communal environmental management.

Tree nursery for reforestation. Turing project visit, November 2010

Protection of natural resources in Timbuktu, Mali, 2009
In ten villages in the Timbuktu region primarily women will be trained in organic market gardening and small livestock farming and in the use of wood-saving ovens. One hundred of the poorest women in these villages will receive a micro credit for 2 goats, 1 male and one female, and seed to grow fodder for the animals. Two hectares of forest will be planted per village. To accomplish this, the villagers are provided with seed, and they are trained in growing trees for their own use and for sale. The establishment of an agreement on protecting the environment between various local authorities forms the basis of this project (Conventions Locales). This is even a resolutive condition for receiving this grant.

One of the families who received goats. Turing project visit, November 2010

Ecological sustainability and the promotion of (small) livestock farming, Burkina Faso, 2009
In this project Heifer and the Louis Bolk Institute collaborate in the neighbourhood of the villages Gonsé and Gampela. The Burkinan organisation ASUDEC gives 'living loans' according to the Heifer philosophy: families receive chickens, goats and sheep and the loan is paid off by passing on the offspring of the livestock. The manure of the livestock is used as organic fertilizer in agricultural farming and market gardening. The families are trained in sustainable agricultural methods and the production of more varied and productive crops. In order to restore the ecosystem, 15,000 young trees and bushes are being planted.

The Turing Foundation finances this project of the Burkinan organisation ASUDEC through the Heifer/Louis Bolk Institute (€ 35,000). The project runs until 2010.

ASUDEC community garden, Turing project visit, Gampela, November 2010, Burkina Faso

Sustainable Agricultural Programmes, Burkina Faso 2009
The Hunger Project is a global organisation that takes action against hunger and chronic poverty. The foundation works together with communities from so-called 'epicentres' in Burkina Faso on the improvement of social circumstances, especially in agriculture, because 80% of the population is fully dependent on it. The agricultural programmes focus on the improvement of sustainable agricultural techniques, the protection of affected parcels of forest, the establishment of food banks for times of scarcity, and the provision of micro credits to women.

Just like in 2008, the Turing Foundation adopts the entire agricultural programmes of The Hunger Project in Burkino Faso in 2009, for the sum of € 62.000. see also: Other projects in focus country Burkina Faso

Visit to the Community Garden of The Hunger Project in Sapouy, Burkina Faso, November 2010

Forest conservation on small-scale cacao plantations, Wassa Amenfi District, Ghana, 2009-2010
The Rural Environmental Care Association (RECA) focuses on the sustained use of land combined with forest conservation. In the Ghanaian District Wassa Amenfi the organisation teaches 800 cacao farmers agro-forestry techniques in order to make their cacao production sustainable, so it no longer has a negative impact on the tropical rain forest. In addition, 100 women are trained in forest conservation and sustainable firewood collection.

The Turing Foundation adopts this IUCN project for a sum of € 41,000. The project will run until the end of 2010.

Forest conservation on small-scale cacao plantations, Wassa Amenfi District, Ghana

Sustainable management of the forest of Koubaye, Mali, 2009
This project aims to protect and restore 7,700 km2 of forest by making environmental agreements between the authorities of four local communities. Environmental education will be given to 8,000 adults and children. A thousand wood-saving ovens will distributed and village blacksmiths will be taught how to produce them. The local people will also be trained in growing trees, both for replanting in the forest and for sale. Women will be trained in organic market gardening (seed will also be made available) and livestock farming (micro credits will be given for goats, male and female). GRAT will also dig 15 wells.

Blacksmith making wood-saving oven. Turing project visit, November 2010

Developing organic vegetable gardens and orchards - Séguénéga, Burkina Faso, 2009-2010
The Burkinan organisation ADECUSS will teach 300 women in the extremely poor and dry northern region of Burkina Faso modern market gardening and agricultural techniques (such as how to make compost and how to graft fruit trees) and sales techniques. This way the women can generate income and a sustainable investment is made in soil improvement and biodiversity in this region. A total of 2000 fruit trees will be planted, one well will be dug and three fenced organic vegetable gardens and orchards covering 1.5 hectares will be set up.

The Turing Foundation finances this project of the Burkinan organisation ADECUSS through IUCN NL (€ 33,000). The project runs until October 2012.

Tree nursery in Séguénéga, Turing project visit, November 2010

Restoration and protection of local ecosystems, Région des Savanes, Togo, 2009-2010
In the Région des Savanes in Northern Togo, a very poor region, the ecosystem is deteriorating at an alarming pace as a result of uncontrolled (over)exploitation of soil and wood (especially firewood). Animal species are becoming extinct and the forests no longer meet the needs of the people. Local organisation <12>RAFIA (Recherche Appui et Formation aux Initiatives d'Auto Développement) assists rural and other communities in improving their living conditions, for example by the sustainable management of natural resources.

The Turing Foundation donates € 44,000 towards a RAFIA project to construct four 'galeries forestières' and to educate people in sustainable agriculture techniques, using more varied and more productive crops, thus helping approximately 900 households in nine villages. The project will run until August 2010.

Restoration and protection of local ecosystems, Région des Savanes, Togo

Preservation of Natural Resources, Timbuktu, Mali, 2009
Because of years of draught and a fast population growth, the natural vegetation of the Timbuktu region is under pressure. Because of this, important sources of income for the local population are threatened to be lost. The Dutch development organisation ICCO and the Malinese organisation OMAES are running a project in 10 villages in this region in North Mali, which offers alternative sources of income to the women of the 15 poorest households in each village (market gardening and durable small live stock holding) including training.

Until 2010, the Turing Foundation contributes € 100,000 to this project (€ 30.000,- in 2009).

Timbuktu region, Mali

Promotion and improvement of biological shea nut farming, Burkina Faso, 2009
For millions of African people, in particular women, the shea nut provides one of the most important sources of income. Forest fires, logging and the use of non-sustainable artificial fertilizer pose severe threats to the shea nut trees in Burkina Faso. Moreover, traditional production methods are hardly eficient. The local Association Songtaab-Yalgre and IUCN Nederland seek to advance biological farming through training and thus to increase the production of shea nuts. Their goal is also to guarantee the women's access to the shea nut trees by, for example, stimulating fresh plantings and lobbying with authorities for women's rights.

The Turing Foundation finances this project with €58,000.

Women of Songtaaba, Turing Visit November 2010

Teacher training and nature education, Ido Eco Community, Tanzania, 2008-2010
Hugo van Lawick devoted his life to observing and capturing nature. He was married to Jane Goodall and is a legend in Tanzania. The foundation established in his name is devoted to nature education aimed at nature protection. The foundation ensures potential income and food supply on the basis of organic farming for 20 communities of 5,000 households in total.

In the coming years, the foundation will train 100 teachers, will make 6,000 children in thirty primary schools and one secondary school more environmentally conscious, and will offer courses in organic farming and replanting. The crops and seeds needed will be made available through the schools.

The Turing Foundation finances the seeds, trees and plants needed for this programme (€ 85,000 in total). 24,000 new trees will be planted.