Credits

Editors: Vanessa Meadu and Godfrey Kimega

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Fair deals for watershed services in the Caribbean
This report shares lessons in developing incentive-based mechanisms for watershed protection services and improved livelihoods.

Fair deals for watershed services in South Africa
A study indicates that there is most potential for developing a payment mechanism between the buyers and sellers of catchment protection services in Ga-Selati, where improving the transport and storage of water would be the most cost-effective intervention.

Fair deals for watershed services in Indonesia
Concerned suppliers and users of water at various localities around Indonesia are now experimenting with new approaches for managing watersheds.

2008 PES Assessments and Case Studies
Between January 2008 and June 2008, the East and Southern African Katoomba Group embarked on an assessment of existing payment for ecosystem service (PES) deals that could be expanded or replicated in other sites.

PRESA Photo gallery : View photos of sessions and participants from the BESSA Training Workshop.

Video interviews : Answers to the question, "Why are rewards for environmental services important in the development of Africa?"

Welcome to the PRESA E-News

PRESA has held its biggest event since inception. The Building Ecosystem Services Research Capacity for Semi-Arid Africa (BESSA) training workshop was held in the Kenyan towns of Nairobi and Embu and attracted over 70 scientists in environmental research and policy. Those of you who could not attend will find details and images from the training workshop in this edition of the E-News. Click for story>>

The workshop was preceded by the third meeting of the PRESA International Advisory Committee. The Committee forms a key component in the governance of the PRESA project. Read more on the meeting >>

PRESA partner organizations have been busy! We have a presentation by Ecotrust Uganda made at the World Water Forum in Istanbul. Meanwhile, stakeholders at PRESA's Sasumua site are receiving our research work quite positively. Read all about it >>

From this month, we will be using an internet technology called a Feed Burner to send stories directly to your email inbox as soon as we put them on our website. The advantage of the new Feed Burner technology is that you will no longer have to wait several weeks to get news from PRESA.

We hope you enjoy this month's e-news. As always, your feedback is welcome. We encourage you to send articles about your rewards for environmental services activity for sharing across the PRESA community.

Yours sincerely,

Vanessa and Godfrey
PRESA Communications

Training workshop for scientists working on Payments for Environmental Services concludes

A two week training workshop by PRESA and the Macaulay Institute ended on 3rd April 2009 with environmental practitioners from across the world sharing valuable skills and knowledge in rewards for ecosystem services.

The workshop titled Building Ecosystem Services Research Capacity for Semi-Arid Africa (BESSA) began on Tuesday 24th March at the ICRAF headquarters in Nairobi and ended at the Mount Kenya East site in Embu.

10 trainers from ICRAF and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute facilitated this workshop. The 64 workshop participants came from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Indonesia, Guinea, USA and Europe.

There was a mix of interactive techniques including classroom lectures, group participation, games, technical sessions, field visits and measurement exercises. Feedback began flowing before the end of the training with participants describing the workshop as "beyond expectation", "enriching" and just "wow!"

The Macaulay Institute is interested in helping develop the evidence base for PRESA through selected studies of the carbon sequestration, water use, and economic profiles of selected land use systems. See more >>

PRESA International Advisory Committee holds third meeting

The PRESA International Advisory Committee held its third meeting on March 23rd at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi.

The International Advisory Committee was established to advise, guide and provide strategic direction in the planning, implementation, communication and evaluation of PRESA. The Committee comprises the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), ICRAF, representatives of the landscape and national contact organizations, representatives of the private sector, key donor agencies and other international organizations involved in the project.

Ecotrust Uganda reports back from World Water Forum

Participants to the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul were interested in Ecotrust’s experience with Trees for Global Benefits. Ecotrust is a PRESA partner at the Albertine Rift site in Uganda where it facilitates the negotiation of carbon payments that encourage farmers to plant trees.

Ecotrust Executive Director Pauline Nantongo also participated in sessions that dealt with water and sanitation rights, ethics, transparency and empowerment of stakeholders. Read more >>

Sasumua stakeholders approve PRESA findings

PRESA researchers presented their findings at a stakeholder workshop held at the Njabini Agricultural Training Centre on 26th February, 2009. Stakeholders engaged in candid and open discussion while continously raising issues, listening to different perspectives and showing willingness to work with others for mutual benefit.

There was appreciation for the value of the research studies, especially from the Water Resource Management Authorities, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and the farmers’ forum.

PRESA is facilitating local communities, water users and relevant government departments to play a larger role in the management of the Sasumua catchment. Click here to read the findings >>

PRESA blog to deliver instant news updates

We came across a very interesting technology called a Feed Burner . In summary, Feed Burner sends those subscribed to an email list a short email whenever there is new content to a website linked to it.

Subscribe to the PRESA feedburner and you will be getting regular emails with PRESA news. Click here to subscribe >>

Updates from the PRESA coordination office

The coordination office wishes to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the PRESA family for the success achieved in 2008 and the momentum that we have built for realization of 2009 targets.

In 2008, PRESA core team, the International Advisory Committee and its partners (both site-level and strategic) worked together to lay a sound foundation for the implementation of project activities in the future. In 2009 we are using the 2008 lessons and experiences based on recommendations of this year’s IAC meeting to perform even better.

In order to realize the 2009 outcomes, PRESA coordination is adopting a devolved and decentralized approach. This has seen our site-level partners facilitated and supported to undertake PRESA related activities. Read more >>

PRESA videos and photo gallery

The training workshop on Building Ecosystem Services research capacity for Semi-arid Africa (BESSA) was abuzz with activity. The PRESA Communications team captured the participants actively engaging in classroom sessions and field activities.

During the workshop, a series of short video interviews called the "90 Second Challenge" were recorded. Participants were asked to briefly explain why rewards for environmental services are important in Africa's development.

Click here to see BESSA Training workshop photos.

Click here to watch the video interviews.

PRESA - Pro-poor Rewards for Environmental Services in Africa
presa.worldagroforestry.org