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Investment in the Central Suriname Nature
Reserve
The Suriname Conservation Foundation
The increased collaboration that arose from the establishment
of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve between the Government
of Suriname and Conservation International was mainly based on
the insight that the success of sustainable use of the
tropical rainforest would be linked to the involvement of the
total population, and especially that of the Surinamese
interior.
In the preparation of the first investments intensive exchange
of ideas occurred in several so-called stakeholder meetings
with most relevant groups. The first investment takes place
through the establishment of the Suriname Conservation
Foundation, an autonomous Foundation governed by the
stakeholders. With a contribution of $ 2.5 million of
Conservation International, and donations of the Global
Environmental Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Foundation
(UNF), the first tranche of $ 8.5 million was secured, while
the Foundation will have the total endowment of $ 15 million
available within two years. The expectations are that the
capital will continue to grow.
The earnings of the investment of this capital will enable the
Suriname Conservation Foundation to finance activities that
aim at the conservation of biodiversity in Suriname, including
activities that will broaden the economic scope of the country
without harming biodiversity.
Management plan
The Nature Protection Division of the Suriname Forest Service,
the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname (STINASU),
and Conservation International and relevant interest groups
and local communities have completed the first phase for the
development of a comprehensive management plan for the Central
Suriname Nature Reserve. The final management plan will build
on basic information about biological resources, existing
legislative and institutional capacity, and economic
development options. However, because so little is known about
the area, field inventories will be required to gather new
information and to cross-check and update existing data.
During these initial field surveys, particular attention will
be paid to critical ecological sites and environmental areas
and potential use zones. The final management plan will
include appropriate plans for resource management and
protection, human use, scientific research and monitoring,
awareness raising and administration.
Research
Conservation International will provide financial support for
the development of a research station at Raleighvallen. This
investment will help provide laboratories and living quarters
for national and international researchers, purchase
equipment, build camp infrastructure and develop research
trails. The station will be a globally important centre for
furthering our knowledge on tropical biological resources.
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