A brief history of Madagascar
Madagascar is a unique and wonderful island situated off the east coast of
Mozambique in Africa. What makes Madagascar really special are it's unique
plants and animals.
When it split from the continent of Africa 160 million years ago life there
was isolated and has evolved into many unique species not to be found
anywhere else on the planet.
Today many of these wonderful species are under serious threat of
extinction. Madagascar is a very poor country with most people living below
the International Poverty Line of $1.25 a day.
This poverty leads people to burn down the trees so they can grow crops and
ironically, our wish to use recyclable materials in our packaging has lead
to forests being cleared to grow products such as Sisal.
This in turn leads to isolated patches of forest where the animals are
effectively trapped. Thanks to the work by organisations such as the AEECL
and Carbon-info.org essential new corridors are being planted between these islands.
A mere 10% of Madagascar's forests remain today so replanting is essential
to the survival of most of the island's species of fauna and flora.
We are very proud to be a small part of this important and essential project
which benefits not only the Blue-Eyed Black lemur but other animals living
in the same forests and of course the locals who are responsible for growing
the seedlings and planting the trees.
Since 2006 Woodenwidget has planted nearly 1000 trees in Madagascar. The
latest trees have been purchased through
www.carbon-info.org a non profit
organisation who work in association with AEECL (Association Européenne pour
l'Etude et la Conservation des Lémuriens)
The trees are being planted mainly to help save the Blue Eyed Black Lemur,
one of the most endangered lemurs in the world and also help to absorb
CO2 and thus reduce the effects of global warming.
By buying Woodenwidget dinghy plans you are helping the Blue-eyed Black
Lemur in Madagascar, one of the rarest and most endangered lemurs.