Trees & Bees: Supporting Mangrove Restoration & Beekeeping in Senegal

Kosmos Energy is committed to being a force for good in the countries in which we operate. One effort we are proud to participate in is mangrove tree restoration in our host nation of Senegal. Near our Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas project offshore Senegal and Mauritania, Kosmos is helping reforest mangroves in and around the Saint-Louis region of Senegal.

“We expect the reforestation project and programs, which directly benefit women and students, will help protect against flooding, support local biodiversity, and lead to increased conservation.”

Kosmos President/CEO Andy Inglis

The Many Benefits of Mangroves

Flourishing mangrove forests bring many benefits to Senegal. Rooted at the intersection of fresh water, salt water and land, mangrove forests play an important role in stabilizing against floods and erosion. Mangroves are also nurseries for fish, and the refuge of many species of birds for their nesting sites. And they serve as effective carbon sinks, with an estimated carbon capture potential three-to-five times greater than that of other types of forest.

Forces Affecting the Forests

Mangrove forests in Senegal are threatened by factors including urbanization, pollution and breaches. One cause of deforestation occurs when people use the wood as energy to heat their homes and cook their food.

A Project to Protect Mangroves

Kosmos is collaborating with Le Partenariat, a nongovernmental organization with a long history of working in and around Saint-Louis, with a project focused on three key components: 1. Mangrove Reforestation; 2. Raising Awarenessm and 3. Enhancing Economic Opportunity for Women.

Mangrove Restoration

In collaboration with Réseau des Organisations pour la Protection des Ecosystèmes de la Mangrove (ROPEM), Le Partenariat and Kosmos have begun planting approximately 20 hectares of mangroves in the vicinity of the Guembeul Nature Reserve as well as communities near the town of Bango. The reforestation is being carried out by two groups of 100 people each, 90 percent of whom are women. In total about 40,000 mangroves will be planted.

Raising Awareness

In collaboration with Sénégal- Education Au Développement (SEN-EAD), Kosmos and Le Partenariat have supported a vast awareness-raising campaign in schools in Saint-Louis, Gandon, and Ndiébène Gandiole. In addition to classroom learning, the initiative includes a guided field visit to a mangrove forest on Boppu Thior Island with on-site demonstrations and activities. Representatives from Kosmos, including our Community Liaison Officer, participate in each of the educational sessions. This initiative targeted five schools, building on previous education campaigns. In total, these campaigns have reached approximately 3,000 students and their families, reinforcing the importance of protecting Senegal’s mangrove forests.

Enhancing Economic Opportunity for Women

Kosmos and Le Partenariat added an initiative to enhance the income-generating potential of women, especially those involved in the reforestation effort. Responsible beekeeping goes hand in hand with healthy mangrove forests. Bees, which play a vital role in ecosystem regulation and agriculture as pollinators, can access fresh water and flowers from both red and black mangroves (Rhizophora and Avicennia, respectively). And their honey and wax can provide a sustainable income stream for trained beekeepers. To that end, Kosmos has provided 20 beehives to share between eight neighborhoods, as well as mangrove-forest beekeeping training for a group of women. Multiple hives can be grown from an existing apiary, and Kosmos anticipates the beekeepers will be able to generate up to $10,000 each year from selling honey from the hives. All in all, it’s a sustainable way to strengthen the economic resilience of the women and their communities, while also protecting mangroves and bees.

Supporting Saint-Louis

The reforestation project is just one of our social investment programs in the Saint-Louis region. Learn more in our Spotlight on Community Engagement in Saint-Louis, Senegal.