We posed this question to participants who attended the training workshop on “Building Ecosystems Services Capacity in Semi-Arid Africa” in Kenya. The responses were as interesting and varied as the participants themselves.

Click above to view Serge's video

Serge Ngendakumana from the PRESA site in Guinea said that rewards for environmental services can reverse environmental degradation in Africa. Rewarding communities for engaging in conservation is key to stopping the loss of endangered plants and animal species through participatory conservation. “Adopting rewards for environmental services in Africa is surely to embrace the whole issue of sustainable development,” says Serge.

Click above to view Annah's video

Annah Agasha, who is collaborating with PRESA in Western Uganda, explains that conservation activities in Africa have for long been carried out without any incentive to local communities. “I believe payments for environmental services will provide some income for the stewards of the environment to improve their households,” said Annah.

Most participants see rewards for environmental services as a sustainable way of conserving the forests of Africa, while benefiting local communities. Where rewards take the form of cash payments, farmers can use the money to invest in sustainable land use practices such as implementing soil conservation and agroforestry.

Please visit the PRESA video website to see more interviews. The address is http://presa.blip.tv