The Eyes of Virunga: From Poacher to Protector by Virunga Heroes

No. Charcoal needs to be produced from non-forest cellulosic sources. Production of biochar from non-forest fuel sources is very important. As the rebels are displaced from the Virunga National Park, the illegal production of charcoal from trees in the Park should subside. Hence our efforts to bolster the ranks of the Park Rangers. In the meantime, the confiscated charcoal is sorely needed by the displaced populations as an interim survival strategy. Since I submitted this proposal I am in contact with Robert Williams, who has a much better handle on the dynamic of the economic ecosystem of biochar production. He works with the Park with a local (Congo) enterprise that produces biochar briquette making equipment for use by Congo entrepreneurs, using non-forest bi-products as a fuel source. Here is a feature about his enterprise: http://www.dailycamera.com/features/ci_14335408 I am hoping to engage Robert in this proposal.

We have no idea the extent of the illegal charcoal production. Perhaps remote sensing / satellite surveillance can help.

Hi Paulo, Sorry for the delayed response. The monitoring and enforcement will be under the auspices of the Virunga National Park as implemented by its Rangers and administration.

Thanks very much for your support of our project! Your comments are wonderfully appropriate, and we're working on obtaining a fiscal sponsor as well as developing a project budget. We are closer to having a broadened advisory group that will help define emission sequestration and project mechanics. We've made significant headway in collaborating with The Virunga Alliance via Robert Williams, a Virunga National Park executive who lives here in Boulder, Colorado. Robert and I have met and are working together to be ready for the impact of the widespread screening of the movie Virunga on Netflix. Although Virunga project support is paramount and of first priority, we are planning our first eco-trek for January, 2015 upon successful fundraising for both Virunga projects and for our first six week visit to the DR Congo. Two other significant partnerships are being developed and will be announced upon the partners' public announcement of our common collaborative efforts. Thank you again for your help in bolstering the prospects for success for The Eyes of Virunga.

Hi Virunga Heroes and your friends, kindly consider voting for my proposal shown on this link. https://www.climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1300206/planId/1002 Thanks.

I like the proposal and found it well-planned with benefit to both man & nature. The comments thus far have been positive and fair. In addition to what has been said before, the benefit to biodiversity could have been added, which was the first thought that stood out for me while reading the proposal.I see Virunga as an area where degradation has not been as intensive as other areas, so it has more to lose in the long run. By stepping in now, it can recover much faster. I recommend this project because it can ameliorate present impacts, serve as an eco-tourist destination (financial gain) and serve as an outdoor laboratory for further research (education for youth), and this is very exciting for me. I can virtually see myself teaching Life-Sciences and Environmental Education in this wonderful Park. Well done, Virunga Heroes!