Biodiversity School
- Purpose: A Biodiversity School will be built to educate children from Sagambe Village and surrounding areas about ecology, conservation, and how to protect the planet.
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Facilities:
- Classrooms equipped for environmental learning
- Internet connectivity via Starlink, enabling access to global educational resources and conservation videos
- Hands-on learning in nearby reforested plots
- Budget: The estimated cost to build and equip the school is $60,000.
Sagambe Reforestation Project
Project Overview
The Sagambe Reforestation Project seeks to restore 1,000 hectares of degraded land on the outskirts of Sagambe Village, bordering a neighbouring riverine forest. The project will focus on replanting indigenous tree species, including Forest Newtonia (Newtonia buchananii) and Albizia (Albizia spp.), to revive biodiversity, improve soil and water health, and create sustainable livelihoods for local families.
Community Involvement
- Families Engaged: 100 local families
- Area per Family: Each family will plant and care for 10 hectares of indigenous trees.
- Income Goal: Each family will earn $200 per month ($2,400 per year) for their work in planting, maintenance, and protection of the reforested areas.
- Economic Impact: This income surpasses the typical earnings from subsistence crops grown on degraded land, ensuring a financial incentive to protect and nurture the forest rather than clearing it for agriculture.
Funding Model — Biodiversity Tokens
The project will be funded through the sale of Biodiversity Tokens, each valued at $1,000 per year. Each token represents and supports the protection and restoration of a specific area of the reforested land.
Financial Breakdown
Annual Project Costs for Families:
- 100 families x $2,400/year = $240,000 per year
- Project management = $20,000 per year
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CCTV surveillance (50 cameras @ $300 each):
- One-time cost = $15,000
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Drone surveillance:
- 1 surveillance drone (including maintenance, fuel, operator) = $6,000 per year
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Starlink internet:
- Installation (one-time) = $2,000
- Monthly service = $75 x 12 = $900/year
School Construction Cost:
- One-time cost = $60,000
- If spread over 2 years = $30,000 per year
Total First-Year Costs (Including School Construction & Equipment):
| Item | Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Family payments | $240,000 |
| Project management | $20,000 |
| School construction (Y1 of 2) | $30,000 |
| CCTV system (50 x $300) | $15,000 |
| Drone surveillance | $6,000 |
| Starlink (install + service) | $2,000 + $900 = $2,900 |
| Total | $313,900 |
Tokens Needed (Year 1):
- $313,900 / $1,000 = 314 tokens
Second-Year Costs (No CCTV, but includes school balance):
| Item | Year 2 |
|---|---|
| Family payments | $240,000 |
| Project management | $20,000 |
| School construction (Y2 of 2) | $30,000 |
| Drone surveillance | $6,000 |
| Starlink (service only) | $900 |
| Total | $296,900 |
Tokens Needed (Year 2):
- $296,900 / $1,000 = 297 tokens
Ongoing Annual Costs (From Year 3 Onward):
| Item | Annual |
|---|---|
| Family payments | $240,000 |
| Project management | $20,000 |
| Drone surveillance | $6,000 |
| Starlink service | $900 |
| Total | $266,900 |
Tokens Needed (Year 3+):
- $266,900 / $1,000 = 267 tokens
Hectares Allocated per Token
- Total hectares: 1,000 ha
- Using Year 3+ steady-state: 267 tokens
- Hectares per token = 1,000 / 267 = ~3.75 hectares per token
Summary
Each Biodiversity Token sold:
- Funds the planting and care of ~3.75 hectares of restored forest
- Provides a stable income for one of 100 local families
- Supports conservation education via drone monitoring and Starlink-connected environmental schooling
- Helps finance infrastructure like surveillance and a purpose-built school facility
Project Outcomes
- Restoration of 1,000 hectares of indigenous forest
- Sustainable income for 100 families, reducing reliance on environmentally harmful agriculture
- A Biodiversity School educating the next generation on conservation and climate action
- Measurable impact on biodiversity, soil health, water conservation, and carbon sequestration
The Sagambe Reforestation Project is a model for community-driven conservation, offering both environmental and social benefits. Through Biodiversity Tokens, supporters worldwide can directly contribute to saving forests and empowering communities.
