Establishing community structures to monitor their own natural resources

Implementation of Community Based Monitoring (CBM) depends on CBNRM groups being in place and functioning. To date, efforts to set up CBM have been concentrated in GCCA where community buy-in is high. CMT Task force was established in Guassa CCA in August 2009 (read the workshop summary). Subsequently, monitoring variables and indices were prioritised and appropriate methods discussed and a second workshop was organized in Feb 2010 (list of monitoring data variables and priority). The CMT/TF roles and responsibilities have been defined and 8 community monitors selected. The CMT has identified preliminary transects and data collection has started in two areas within Guassa with the help of four motorbikes and basic ecological monitoring equipment which has been purchased by the project. This approach provides experience through ‘learning-by-doing’. Best practice for setting up CBMs and CMTs will now be transferred to the Bale Mountains and ACCA during the next project period.

The first draft of protocols and implementation plans for Guassa have been drawn up (revised during a visit by Dr Pinard in April 2010; list of monitoring data variables and priority), and these are being trialled with community monitors during May and June 2010.