Recently, Vlinder’s marine science and social impact expert Holly Elgar and CEO Robin Bartmann took a trip to Senegal to visit the degraded mangrove areas we are planning to restore, discuss the carbon project registration details with the Senegal Government, and meet with our project partners on the ground, an impact NGO “We Build the Future”.
A Clear Pathway for Carbon Project Registration
During the visit, Holly and Robin met with carbon project experts from the Ministry of Environment. The Senegal Government is developing a clear pathway for carbon project registration, starting from the initial concept note submission to regular monitoring post-planting. This structured pathway should reduce the risk of early-stage investments and provide a clear timeline for all stakeholders involved.
Exploring the Casamance Mangroves with our Partners
The founders of “We Build the Future”, Eva Mueck and Aminata Loum, are exemplary women leading with a perfect blend of passion, focus on socioeconomic impact, and exceptional project management capabilities. We are fortunate to have them by our side and were happy to explore the potential mangrove project areas together.
Robin Bartmann shared a memorable experience from the trip:
“Traveling through the channels of the Casamance mangroves at sunset is my emotional salary for the next three months. The biodiversity of birds was incredible! The whole atmosphere reminded me of the privilege I have to support on-the-ground projects. A new level of being stuck in the mangroves unlocked!”
Learning from Local Knowledge
When we are restoring mangrove ecosystems, all the project activities are planned and performed in close collaboration with the communities living in the project area. They have been stewards of these lands for centuries and have a lot to share.
Holly Elgar emphasized the value of learning from local knowledge:
“The opportunity to travel to the Casamance highlighted the importance of learning from those on the ground who possess such a wealth of knowledge about their mangrove ecosystems and how they have changed over time. Spending time in these beautiful ecosystems, as well as understanding more about the relationship local communities have with them, further drives my passion to support community-focused restoration projects. I am excited to work to support the restoration of this ecosystem both for biodiversity and the communities who live amongst it.”
The visit to Senegal was not just about strengthening partnerships but also about deepening our understanding and appreciation of the work being done on the ground. With such dedicated partners and a clear governmental framework, we are optimistic about the future of mangrove restoration projects in Senegal and their impact on both the environment and local communities.
Many thanks to Holly Elgar and Eva Mueck for the great pictures!
