April Salome Forest Management Area

The project area has previously been recognised as an exceptional biodiversity hotspot by the Climate Community and Biodiversity Standard (SCS, 2011). Before becoming a carbon project, the area was planned to be cleared for logging.

The project also channels climate finance to the community via a benefit sharing agreement that provides 60% of the revenue from sale of offsets to autonomous local landowner groups, helping reduce poverty and enhance the wellbeing of local communities.

The April Salumei Working Group, formed to assist with managing the project, provides employment opportunities to the local community. The project promotes culturally inclusive, sustainable community development via a new five-year Sustainable Development Plan, agreed by locals.

Previous project activities have delivered benefits including:

• Providing over 10,000 native eaglewood trees for village areas for sustainable agriculture
• Providing 1,000 solar powered lights to community schools, health centres and families to provide affordable, sustainable energy
• Created 18 jobs for community members
• Providing funds to improve 15 local schools to help promote quality education.

Population

It is estimated that about 20,000 people are living in this area in 164 forest-dependent communities. Populated places include Nakek and Uwu.