Easygrants ID: 43561 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation NFWF Project ID: 0302.14.043561 Coral Reef Conservation Fund 2014 - Submit Final Programmatic Report (New Metrics) Grantee Organization: Protectores de Cuencas, Inc. Project Title: Acceleration of Watershed Restoration Efforts in Puerto Rico Project Period 9/01/2014 - 8/31/2016 Project Location The Municipality of Yauco, and the priority watershed areas of Guánica, Culebra, Cabo Rojo and Description Vieques in Puerto Rico. (from Proposal) Project Accelerate restoration efforts in priority Puerto Rico watersheds, stabilize over 20 acres of drainage area Summary (from and reforest over 10 acres of land by constructing a native and conservation plant nursery. Project will Proposal) yield up to 10,000 native trees and 10,000 vetiver plants over two years, which will stabilize soils and prevent erosion and run-off to coral reef systems downstream. Summary of Protectores de Cuencas (PDC) completed 100% of the nursery/greenhouse with a total of three Accomplishments structures built. A three-day Open House for high school and faculty, their parents and the community in general was held reaching approximately, 700 High School students (Grades 9-12) and 30 teachers. PDC identified and enrolled 10 farmers interested in obtaining the shade coffee certification. PDC nursery trees have been used in several restoration projects, including: 1) Culebra: Pta Soldado, Fulladoza, Tamarindo, with additional restoration efforts projected for the next 3-4 years in Culebra; 2) Guánica: Tamarindo, Atolladora and the restoration in several farms. Completed projects as part of the Culebra’s Watershed Management Plan implementation are utilizing vetiver grass and native trees. Lessons Learned The Environmental Education Program Activities were a success. Public involvement exceeded the anticipated participation. This unexpected result was primarily due to the fact that local schools and community in general, have limited exposure to environmental education programs. The proximity to the municipality center, allowed easy access to the Open House. Furthermore, these activities provided the opportunity for high school students to gain volunteer experience while learning unique skills in the nursery. Hands-on activities have proven to be most effective while educating the community of conservation efforts specific to our area. Completing the nursery/green house has been a great asset to our organization as it has provided the means to produce the vegetative materials used in the continuous restoration efforts. PDC nursery trees have been used in several restoration projects, including: 1) Culebra: Pta Soldado, Fulladoza, Tamarindo, with additional restoration efforts projected for the next 3-4 years in Culebra; 2) Guánica: Tamarindo, Atolladora and during the restoration of several coffee farms within the Guanica watershed. Future restoration projects include projects in Cabo Rojo: Los Pozos and Laguna Cartagena. Tree production on site has reduced the restoration costs significantly over the last two years and has allowed PDC to undertake additional restoration projects that otherwise would have been postponed due to budget restrictions. The Shaded Coffee Certification process is a constantly increasing challenge. Among the great number of farmers interested in the certification process we present the certification sheet for one pilot farm. This will enable the Certification Board to fine tune the process and start a greater certification process that can push other farmers to move to more sustainable practices. Throughout the development of this initiative, we have identified other activities that need to be addressed in order to ensure success and consensus. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Activities and Outcomes Funding Strategy Capacity, Outreach, Incentives Activity / Outcome Coral - Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance - # people reached Required Recommended Description Enter the number of people reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities # people reached - Current 30.00 # people reached - Grant Completion 769.00 Notes Outcome: Protectores de Cuencas was extremely succesful integrating the community, coffee farmers, and school children in an environmental education program at the nursery/greenhouse. We incorporated them in the ongoing and new restoration projects. Participation exceeded the anticipated number of participants. Approximately, 700 students, 30 faculty and community attendees participated of the Open House, 29 students from middle and high school assisted in the seed germination process, and 10 coffee farmers are currently enrolled in the Shade Coffee Certification. Funding Strategy Habitat Management Activity / Outcome Coral - BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction - Acres under improved management Required Recommended Description Enter the number of acres under improved management Acres under improved management - Current 20.00 Acres under improved management - Grant Completion 20.00 Notes Outcomes: Due to PDC’s good relations already established with farmers in the region and with the Mayors of the region, we hosted group visits at our facilities to conduct the meetings and training. These efforts aim at reducing nutrients and sediment yields derived from coffee production as well as less chemical fertilizer and herbicides that may runoff as well. Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee in order to make shade grown coffee sustainable from both an economic and ecological standpoint. The group has maintained a participation of close to 20 partners with the representations of USFWS, NRCS, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, DNER, UPR-Utuado, farmers and several local NGO’s. This certification allows a win-win scenario in which certified farmers can receive a direct economic benefit and long term conservation goals such as reduction of nutrients and sediment yields to coral reef ecosystems in the Guanica Bay. Funding Strategy Habitat Management Activity / Outcome Coral - improved management practices - Acres under improved management Required Recommended Description Enter the number of acres under improved management Acres under improved management - Current 20.00 Acres under improved management - Grant Completion 20.00 The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Notes Outcome: The shaded grown coffee initiative is in an advanced state of recognition around environmental discussion fronts in Puerto Rico like the State Technical Committee. We are bringing to fruition the efforts to establish the certification program in Puerto Rico and beginning to enroll and certify many farms as Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee. Since Protectores de Cuencas is actively participating in the various working groups developed by the office of the Model Forest, it would bring closer collaboration with farmers and producers to promote their coffee and provide support and training in these efforts. The Round Table will also continue working towards the institutionalization of these practices and programs working together with PR Department of Agriculture, NRCS, UPR Agricultural Extension Servise, UPR Mayagüez and UPR Utuado, PR College of Agronomists and the Department of State. Funding Strategy Habitat Restoration Activity / Outcome Coral - Land, wetland restoration - Acres restored Required Recommended Description Enter the number of acres restored Acres restored - Current 20.00 Acres restored - Grant Completion 30.00 Notes Outcomë: Native trees and vetiver plants produced at the nursery have been used in several restoration projects around Puerto Rico. The most significant projects include: sediment and erosion control practices in Cabo Rojo, stormwater practices in Yauco, BMP implementation in farm dirt roads in the Guanica watershed, erosion and sediment discharge mitigation into seagrass habitat in the Guanica Dry Forest, approximately 10 separate projects in Culebra including stormwater practices, erosion and sediment discharge mitigation and coastal restoration. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Final Programmatic Report Narrative Instructions: Save this document on your computer and complete the narrative in the format provided. The final narrative should not exceed ten (10) pages; do not delete the text provided below. Once complete, upload this document into the on-line final programmatic report task as instructed. 1. Summary of Accomplishments In four to five sentences, provide a brief summary of the project’s key accomplishments and outcomes that were observed or measured. Protectores de Cuencas (PDC) completed 100% of the nursery/greenhouse with a total of three structures built, exceeding