Lake Piso was declared a Multiple Use Reserve per Forestry Development Authority Act, 2010. In addition, huge conservation measures have been put in place to address loss of the mangroves in this area. However, the Reserve still faces serious threats due to mangrove harvesting for charcoal production and fuel wood. This raises the need to understand why the communities are not fully cooperating with conservation policies to protect the mangroves. This study therefore involves participatory approach to assess this problem. At the end of the Project, it is envisaged that the result will be used to create conservation awareness among key stakeholders (government agencies, communities and civil society groups) working to protect this unique ecosystem.
Liberia?s coastline, running from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas, is home to about six different species of mangrove including Acrostichum aureum, Avicennia germinans, Conocarpus erectus, Rhizophora mangle, Rhizophora harrisonii and Rhizophora racemosa and is recognized as one of the 34 biologically diverse and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions that gained lots of conservation attentions by both Government and NGOs (local and international). The government of Liberia and its conservation partners have over the years focused on promoting conservation initiatives by setting up a network of forest protected areas (1.5 million ha), building capacity, creating awareness and enhancing livelihood of affected communities (Hoke et al., 2007). In Lake Piso, 6,300 ha of mangrove forests are identified as key biodiversity areas (KBAs) and reserved for conservation purposes (Sambolah, 2012; Piso et al., 2007). Besides, the communities within Lake Piso Reserve and surroundings depend on mangroves for their livelihoods (Sambolah, 2012). In these communities, mangroves are harvested mainly from the conservation areas (Tuagben, 2012) indicating that either there is weak management or conflicts between the managing authority and the locals. In addressing this concern, this study will use participatory approach in bringing together the community and the authority to understand their existing constrains and/or lack of interest in complying with existing management policies governing the protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources. In addition to planned activities under this project, the affected project communities have made available over four (4) acres of land and further requested the inclusion of sustainable cassava production within their communities in order to enhance their livelihoods and bring them some financial returns. The result of this project is geared towards introducing the Community ? Based Mangroves Management (CBMM) that have been realized in other areas such as Philippine, Nepal, Cameroon (Larson et al., 2010) and Tanzania (Meshack et al., 2006). The essence of the CBMM is to involve the communities in the governance and management of mangrove forest in Liberia.

Goal of the Project

The goal of this project, as indicated above will be achieved through the following specific objectives: 1) Understanding existing conflicts between protection and sustainable utilization of mangrove resources by communities, 2) Gauging communities views and perceptions in terms of the management of biodiversity with special emphasis on mangroves ecosystem; 3) Understanding communities priorities in terms of biodiversity (mangrove) management involving and promoting their full participation and leadership 4) Conducting cassava products value chain study and implementing a pilot on cassava production as an alternative livelihood source for the communities and 6) Assessing the possibility of snail farming and Beekeeping by local communities and conduct pilots in selected communities in the project landscape.
The performance period of this project is twelve (12) months, starting January 3, 2018.

1.2 Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the project

Green Globe Consultancy (GGC) is a local not for profit organization accredited by the Government of Liberia with a goal of solely working with communities in Liberia to strengthen their capacities in addressing problems associated with forest, ocean, coastal environment and other landscapes. GGC key interest is focused on achieving sustainable management and conservation of our unique biodiversity and associated ecosystems through the conduct of research and other activities. The organization long-term aim is to ensure sustainable development and management of the Earth?s natural resources and environment through the development of Human and natural capital, Research, Advisory services and Project development and Implementation. This unique organization, the Green Globe Consultancy, was founded in 2017 by Mrs. Harnon W. Garbo, an experienced biodiversity conservationist and researcher with long years of field experience. The organization is registered as a charitable and community-based organization in Montserrado County with its scope activities spanning across the globe. GGC consists of a Board of Directors and four (4) permanent secretariat staffs.

1.3 Geographical coverage

The Lake Piso Multiple Use Reserve (about 97,159 hectares) is located by the Atlantic Ocean in Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties in western Liberia and lies within latitudes 6°30'0" - 6°54'0" North and longitudes 10°54'0? - 11°24'0" West, up to the border with Sierra Leone. The Lake Piso Reserve is approximately 85 km long and about 18 km wide from the Atlantic Ocean moving northward. The main access to the Reserve is via the roads from Monrovia to Robertsport and Monrovia to Freetown, Sierra Leone.