Work Experience in Madagascar
Sustainable Land Management Project Development Developed in 2003 the first project concept (PIF) approved under the newly created GEF Land Degradation Focal Area. Assisted WWF Madagascar in 2005 in developing the project focusing on the development of field models for sustainable agriculture and community-based range management in the highly degraded Spiny Forest ecosystem in southeast Madagascar. Employed by UNDP.
Biodiversity Project Design Led the design of the UNDP component of the joint World Bank/UNDP GEF biodiversity conservation project under Madagascar’s Third Environment Program. Coordinated work with World Bank and led the development of impact indicators for the joint log frame. Developed design for community-based management of coral reefs, lagoons and mangroves in northwest and natural dry forest in southwest with a knowledge management component in support of sustainable natural resource management. Employed by UNDP in 2003.
GEF Biodiversity Project Coordination and Supervision Provided technical and administrative supervision/backstopping in western Indian Ocean for UNDP under a UNOPS retainer contract. Backstopped UNDP-adminstered biodiversity project under Madagascar’s Environmental Program. Provided documentary evidence of performance shortcomings leading to discontinuation of large contract with a consulting firm. 1999 to 2003
Project Evaluation Led the evaluation of the UNDP and UNDP GEF support to the Second Environment Program in Madagascar. Discovered that a key weakness of the program was the false assumption that sustainable natural resource management systems already existed and were ready for transfer to communities. Employed by UNOPS for UNDP in 2002.
GEF Concept Development Lead author for the preparation of a concept paper for $12 million of UNDP and World Bank GEF biodiversity funding with $140 million of co-financing for a program of multi-donor support to the Third Environmental Program in Madagascar. Focused on the development of sustainable management systems for biological resources. Employed by UNOPS for UNDP in 2002.
Stocktaking of Biodiversity Strategies Analyzed the evolution and the strengths and weaknesses of biodiversity conservation strategies in Madagascar from 1990 to the present. Conducted a scoping mission, finalized list of studies, developed detailed TOR, recruited a team of six national consultants and supported/reviewed consultant reports. Unable to attend final workshop because of travel ban just after 9/11. Employed under USAID funding in 2001
Forest Cover Loss Monitoring Analyzed needs for ground truthing and recommended approaches/methodologies. Employed under USAID funding in 2002.
Eucalyptus Plantation Management & Humid Forest Conservation Developed detailed silvicultural/marketing/management structure recommendations for an community-based eucalyptus plantation management project in southeastern tip of Madagascar. Led an exploratory foot trip into remote, roadless areas to develop strategies for conservation of the humid forest of the Tsitongombarika Forest Reserve. Developed recommendations for improved governance in the forest sector. Employed by WWF in 2001.
Biodiversity Strategy Development Drafted a guidebook for the development of national biodiversity strategies and action plans based on my work assisting national planning teams in nine eight countries including Madagascar. Provided training and support for national planning team. Guidebook was distributed at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in May 98. Employed by UNOPS for UNDP in 2001.
Assessment of 10 Natural Forest Management Pilot Projects Discovered that no forest harvest had yet been done in Madagascar based on an approved management plan after 10+ years of donor support for community forestry. Found the WWF CAF/APN project to have the best approach and CI was not even using their community forestry funding to support community forestry. Recommended major simplification of the planning processes and proposed a two-phased transfer of non-commercial/commercial forest management rights to communities. Employed under USAID funding in 2001.
CBNRM Development Assessed the feasibility of applying the GELOSE law for community-based natural resource management, identified alternative legal instruments, developed and applied criteria for selecting sites and sectors for CBNRM development within Landscape Development Initiative’s three geographic areas. Employed under USAID funding in 1999.
Environmental Planner Developed innovative methodology for defining biodiversity conservation priorities at the ecosystem and landscape unit levels. Drafted strategic development approaches for addressing key challenges to biodiversity conservation. Employed under USAID funding in 1998.
Protected Areas Institutional Capacity Building Chief-of-party and principal strategist for the institutional development of the National Association for the Management of Protected Areas. Developed a long-term vision that led to the restructuring of ANGAP and the protected area program. Employed by Tropical Research and Development under USAID funding from 10/91 to 10/94.
Conservation and Development Project Evaluation Found the project to be totally dysfunctional with major problem of corruption. Documented two false double billings by the project director and the head of an evangelical rural development NGO. USAID funding was discontinued as a direct result of our findings. Employed by Missouri Botanical Gardens under USAID funding in 1991.
Community-Based Forest Management Developed one of the first community-based natural humid forest and Eucalyptus plantation management strategies in Madagascar. Strategically conceived both management proposals so as to diminish pressures on protected areas. Employed by WWF in 1991.
Agroforestry Extension Training Conducted two-week technical and communications-focused workshop for NGO, government services and donor personnel. Employed under USAID funding in 1990.
Agricultural Sector Assessment As NRM specialist on the team, I assessed and prioritized natural resources problems and identified programming options. Madagascar’s lavakas are one of the worst forms of soil erosion in the world. Employed under USAID funding in 1989.
Integrated Development and Conservation Assessment Performed the first ICDP assessment in Madagascar at the Beza Mahafaly Reserve of the potential for integrated conservation and development. Employed by Yale University in 1987.