COASTAL LANDSCAPES

Hen Mpoano conceptualizes coastal landscapes as socio-ecological systems characterized by interrelationships and feedbacks between humans and the natural environment in the coastal zone. In the face of demographic changes, biodiversity decline, urbanization trends and climate change, coastal landscapes are confronted by an uncertain future. For this reason, we adopt integrated and participatory approaches and work at multiple scales, deploying a wide range of tools such as geographic information systems (GIS) to build resilient coastal landscapes.

Our strategies include conservation of aquatic and terrestrial forests and related wildlife, increasing uptake of climate-smart agriculture technologies, supporting local, municipal, regional and national land use and spatial planning processes as well as improving family planning and reproductive health of natural resource-dependent communities.

Read our publications below for more information 

Land Use Land Cover Assessment of the Cape Three Points Forest and Linked Ecosystems

Despite this high biological diversity, the ecological integrity of the reserve, including the forest quality and extent is increasingly threatened by human activities. Farming along the fringes of the forest is reducing the size of the forest buffer. Illegal logging, illegal mining, charcoal production and wildlife poaching are also on the rise within the forest and along its boundaries. The purpose of this research, therefore, was to assess the current status of the Cape Three Points Forest reserve and the adjacent mangrove wetlands through the analysis of spatial data in order to inform land use decision making.

 

Integrating Health and Family Planning into Greater Amanzule Wetland Landscape Conservation and Small Scale Fisheries Management in the Western Region of Ghana

 

The project, “Integrating Health and Family Planning into Greater Amanzule Wetland (GAW) Landscape Conservation and Small Scale Fisheries Management in the Western Region of Ghana” was an 11-month pilot initiative (October 2018 – August 2019) aimed at creating awareness and interest for Population, Health and Environment (PHE) approaches to show benefits of improved health and environment outcomes, establish and strengthen community-based distribution systems for contraceptives, strengthen institutional collaboration across sectors to build support for future PHE interventions in the coastal areas of the Western region of Ghana and design and implement a learning agenda for PHE integration.

 


 

Final Project Report on Greater Amanzule Wetland Conservation

 

Greater Amanzule Wetlands (GAW) conservation project is a collaborative effort between Hen Mpoano (HM) and the United States Forest Service. The project aims to establish a formal comanagement process and improve management planning for the GAW in Ghana’s Western Region. It contributes to the achievement of the overarching goals of improved natural resources management and increased capacity for low greenhouse gas emissions development.

 


 

Annual Report for Conservation of Greater Amanzule Wetlands Phase II 

 

The Greater Amanzule Wetland (GAW) conservation initiative is a collaborative effort between Hen Mpoano (HM) and the Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project (CSLP). It aims at establishing a formal co-management process and improving management planning for the Amanzule wetlands. It contributes to the achievement of the overarching goals of improved natural resources management and increased capacity for low greenhouse gas emissions development.

 


 

Annual Report on Greater Amanzule Wetland Conservation: Phase III Activities  

 

Under the third phase of the small grant (October 2016 – September 2017) from the CSLP, Hεn Mpoano undertook four (4) broad actions that resulted in the strengthening of conservation governance in the GAW. These were based on management actions formulated in consultation with Community Conservation Committees (GAWCCC) and the Wildlife Division. This report summarizes progress made on these activities. Drawing on the lessons learnt during the 2-year implementation period and stakeholders’ input into the process, the report also suggests strategies and activities required for the sustainability of initiatives as the project phases out.

 


 

Annual Report on Greater Amanzule Wetland Conservation: Phase IV Activities 

 

Under the fourth phase of the small grant (October 2017 – September 2018) from the CSLP, Hεn Mpoano undertook five (5) broad actions that resulted in the strengthening of governance in the GAW. These were based on management actions formulated in consultation with Community Conservation Committees and the Wildlife Division at the regional level under the second phase of the small grant (October 2015 – September 2016) provided by the CSLP. This report summarizes progress made on these activities, drawing on the lessons learnt during the 3-year implementation period and stakeholders’ input into the process. The report also suggests strategies and activities required for the sustainability of initiatives as the project phases
out.

 


 

 Progress Report Lower Ankobra River Basin Livelihoods Improvement and Biodiversity Conservation (LABLIBIC) Project: Phase I

 

Under the first phase of the PPI grant (March – September, 2018), Hεn Mpoano undertook six (6) broad actions that resulted in the forming of 5 CREMAs and the development and drafting of an operational action plan for  the  CRMCs and CEC to manage natural resources in the LARB. A technical assessment was also done to allow for informed decision making on selection of areas for the creation of CREMA core zones. This report presents progress made on these activities. Drawing on the lessons learned during the initial implementation period and stakeholders’ input into the process, the report also suggests strategies and activities required for a successful implementation of activities during phase II and transitioning from a draft action plan phase to a field-based implementation of actions within the operational action plan.

 


 

Progress Report Lower Ankobra River Basin Livelihoods Improvement and Biodiversity Conservation (LABLIBIC) Project: Phase II

 

Under the second phase of the PPI grant (October 2018 to April 2019), Hen Mpoano undertook thirteen (13) broad actions that resulted in the development and piloting of an operational action plan for CRMCs and CEC to manage natural resources in the LARB. With emphases on the technical assessment conducted in phase I which fosters informed decision making on the selection of areas for the creation of CREMA core zones in three communities, two remaining communities (Sawoma and Adelekazo) have also selected areas and created CREMA core zones for the protection of wildlife and conservation of nature.