Missouri Botanical Garden - Madagascar

• The Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) has been conducting research in Madagascar since the 1970s and established permanent operations in the 1980s. The program has grown to include over 150 staff members, almost all of whom are Malagasy. Key areas of focus include biodiversity research and the preservation of ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge.
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• Howell Conservation Fund’s 2023-24 Catalytic Grant allowed MOBOT to launch an innovative conservation project that trained local Malagasy people to create pots from the bark of the invasive Melaleuca tree, which were used for propagating native plants. These pots provided an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags, reducing plastic pollution.
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• This project not only helped control an invasive species but also created economic opportunities for local communities.

Restoration of Madagascar’s deforested landscapes required planting large numbers of tree seedlings, which were typically grown in plastic bags. These polyethylene bags contributed to waste after the trees were planted. Additionally, the invasive Melaleuca quinquenervia tree was desiccating marshes across Madagascar, further threatening local biodiversity.

With the support of HCF’s Catalytic Grant, MOBOT implemented a project with a two-pronged approach:

1. Economic Empowerment and Training: Six local people living around the Analalava Forest Protected Area were trained to produce and sell alternative pots made from the bark of the invasive Melaleuca tree, creating employment opportunities while addressing the problem of invasive species.
2. Environmental Restoration: MOBOT grew 2,057 native tree seedlings in Melaleuca bark pots, which were then planted in the Analalava Forest. These pots offered ecological benefits by retaining water and supporting seedling growth during dry periods.

During the 2023-24 grant period, six local individuals were trained to produce biodegradable Melaleuca pots, offering an alternative to plastic for propagating native plants. Over 2,100 pots were created and used to grow 2,057 seedlings of 10 different native tree species, all nurtured in MOBOT’s nursery. The project also saw the sale of 2,800 pots, providing income for the local producers.

The initiative garnered significant interest, with other conservation organizations in Madagascar adopting the Melaleuca pot method. This innovative approach contributed to both environmental restoration and economic empowerment for local communities, marking a successful first phase of the project.