Macolline notes
WELCOME
DESCRIPTION
Come and enjoy the endemic, complex and colorful flora and fauna for a day, and bring the exceptional nature of Madagascar within your reach!
Macolline is located 3km north of the town of Antalaha on a 10-hectare hill of forest in the northeastern region of Madagascar, degraded by intensive cultivation for over a century. Among the sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the forest in the northeastern part of the country is the first priority for conservation in Madagascar and around the world. National and international mobilization is required to help this nature while respecting the environment.
Founded by Marie-Hélène KAM HYO , pharmacist and president of the humanitarian association Comité d'Aides aux anciens Lépreux d'Antalaha ( CALA ), Macolline is working on reforestation of native species grouping different endemic species, in accordance with UNESCO's conservation priorities. With tens of thousands of trees, around 600 native species of precious, semi-precious and fruit trees planted, as well as a very varied fauna (chameleons, butterflies, insects, nocturnal lemurs, etc.), Macolline has been participating for more than 10 years in a possible national solution to combat deforestation and work effectively for reforestation by making this place a botanical trail accessible to all.
The Macolline Protection Association (APM) was created as a non-profit organization in 2010 with Malagasy and international members. The Macolline guides, who have received training from the MNP (Madagascar National Park), provide educational teaching services to Malagasy students and visitors. The proceeds from ecotourism will be used to develop the site, maintain the trees planted and to the various stakeholders of the APM.
Click on the photo below to follow the evolution of Cleordendrum kamhyoae (Lamariee)!
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Educating everyone about environmental protection
Missions and objectives : Our goal is to raise awareness and educate the population about the environmental wealth and biodiversity of Madagascar and our region. Our mission is thus to associate education with the protection and conservation of biodiversity.
NGO MACOLLINE together with NATURALG MADAGASCAR manages the largest collection of indigenous and exotic trees and plants in the SAVA Region, in Antalaha. It is involved in an initiative aimed at promoting ecological projects. Originally, Macolline was created for the professional reintegration of former leprosy patients, in collaboration with CALA (Committee for Aid to Leprosy Patients of Antalaha). This initiative resulted in the establishment of a forest that has become a "school", a real place of learning about environmental protection. Macolline has been involved in reforestation through education for over 10 years.
Macolline fights against the disappearance of valuable species while creating jobs and sources of income to protect the forest. Macolline also produces plant material (seed bank, young plants) for reforestation. On a nearby site, thousands of trees have also been planted that are used for the purpose of exploiting wood energy. In the long term, the use of wood by the population should be more efficient and more ecological (with the implementation of "green charcoal" for example).
Precious woods take several decades or even centuries to reach their maximum size. This is the case for rosewood, ebony, etc. Looting poses a serious threat to these species. Despite the ban on felling/exporting these precious woods, illegal logging has been one of the region's major ecological problems for several years.
Short-term outlook: Our programs aim to strengthen the counseling and monitoring capacities of students/pupils of all ages in the Antalaha region with workshops and training programs related to conservation and reforestation. Macolline and its educators wish to increase the local capacity of individuals and communities to manage their natural resources. Efforts focus on environmental/botanical education in order to become a resource center where pupils and students can enrich their knowledge and integrate more environmentally friendly behavior.
Ertice Yarozafy and Rado Nandrasana: Eco-pedagogical guides at Macolline
Nursery of Masoala flora species.
Today, the association wishes to expand its missions of protection of the natural biotope through a cycle of interdependent activities:
- raise awareness and strengthen local skills of communities in forestry.
- create awareness days for young pupils and students concerning their natural environment, the wealth and biodiversity of the region through visits to the Macolline site to place young people in context. Practical work in the nursery and/or reforestation accompanies these visits. Educational books are given to young visitors at the end of the visits.
- introduce environmental education in schools and provide local monitoring and support, contributing to the integration of environmental education:
- in primary school curricula
- in youth groups and green classes (example: Vintsy club, scouts, etc.)
- in colleges, high schools and universities.
The implementation of these activities involves prior training of teachers by Macolline instructors (Mad'Ere Kit, educational sheets, etc.) and through periodic awareness-raising sessions and screenings of environmental films in schools.
Macolline instructors benefited from training on the use and monitoring of the MAD'ERE Kit provided by GIZ in the first quarter of 2015, on environmental education by MNP (Madagascar National Park) and guiding courses by GIDA (Guides Indépendants Diplômés d'Antalaha). These instructors play an important role and are very involved in Macolline's eco-pedagogical teaching intended for Malagasy youth and students.
https://macolline.org/developpement-durable/
TOURIST INFORMATION
For a full day, the site offers a walking tour, a pirogue ride through rice fields as well as a brickyard and a picnic facing the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the different views offered by the summit of Macolline while tasting the fruits harvested on the site! Macolline is located 3km north of the city of Antalaha on a hill of 10 hectares of forests.
In addition to the traditional activities of the tourist park, this site seeks to increase awareness of the different Malagasy forest species (medicinal plants) and their specific characteristics. The site also allows each visitor to take action by planting a tree and thus contribute to the preservation of the site and endangered species: an original idea, which truly helps with reforestation, especially on the eastern coast of the large island which is highly threatened and which constitutes a "heritage in danger".
THE INTERPRETATION HOUSE
Contact details for more information: macolline.madagascar@gmail.com
Tourist and educational guides: Ertice and Lilyane marielilyane@gmail.com Tel: +261 32 89 358 26
Route details/Tour options
Preparations
- Rainwear (wet region)
- Light walking shoes; walking sandals may be sufficient if the weather is dry
- Light clothing for walking; trousers may be useful to protect against mosquitoes
- Hat or cap
- Sunscreen
- Anti-mosquito
- Water bottle
- Binoculars
- Camera
Clerodendrum kamhyoae
https://macolline.org/informations-touristiques/
A remarkable new species of Clerodendrum from Madagascar/A species, new to science, is formally described and named Clerodendrum kamhyoae Phillipson & Allorge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djPbb0q4sAI
Clerodendrum kamhyoae Phillipson & Allorge, described in this article, was discovered by Marie Hélène Kam Hyo Zschocke
A remarkable new species of Clerodendrum (Lamiaceae) from Madagascar
Peter B. Phillipson & Lucile Allorge
Abstract
PHILLIPSON, PB & L. ALLORGE (2016). A remarkable new species of Clerodendrum L. (Lamiaceae) from Madagascar. Candollea 71:117-126. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2016v711a14
A species new to science is formally described and named as Clerodendrum kamhyoae Phillipson & Allorge. It is the third species of Clerodendrum L. (Lamiaceae) to be described from Madagascar that combines a long slender corolla tube with cauliflory, attributes that are uncommon in the genus. The prolific production of flowers along the trunk of the new species is quite extraordinary. Its possible relationships with other species of the genus are discussed and certain aspects of its reproductive biology are described. We provide line drawings, photographs and a distribution map for the new species, as well as an assessment of its conservation status using IUCN Categories and Criteria. Summary
PHILLIPSON, PB & L. ALLORGE (2016). A remarkable new species of Clerodendrum L. (Lamiaceae) from Madagascar. Candollea 71: 117-126. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2016v711a14
A species new to science is formally described and named Clerodendrum kamhyoae Phillipson & Allorge. This is the third species of Clerodendrum L. (Lamiaceae) described from Madagascar that combines a long, slender corolla tube with cauliflory, attributes that are rare in the genus. The prolific production of flowers on the stem of the new species is quite extraordinary. Its presumed relationships to other species in the genus are discussed, and some aspects of its biological reproduction are described. Illustrations, photographs, and a distribution map are provided for the new species, as well as an assessment of its conservation status according to the IUCN Categories and Criteria.
Addresses of the authors:
PBP: Missouri Botanical Garden, PO Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166, USA and Institute of Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity (UMR 7205 – CNRS MNHN UPMC EPHE), National Museum of Natural History, Sorbonne Universities, CP 39, rue Cuvier 57, 75231 Paris CEDEX 05, France. E-mail: peter.phil lipson@mobot.org
LA: Institute of Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity (UMR 7205 – CNRS MNHN UPMC EPHE), National Museum of Natural History, Sorbonne Universities,
CP 39, rue Cuvier 57, 75231 Paris CEDEX 05, France.
Submitted on February 27, 2016. Accepted on March 18, 2016.
First published online on April 29, 2016.
ISSN: 0373-2967 – Online ISSN: 2235-3658 – Candollea 71(1): 117-126 (2016) © GENEVA CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDEN 2016
Clerodendrum kamhyoae article Click here to read the article!
https://macolline.org/2016/04/29/a-remarkable-new-species-of-clerodendrum-from-madagascar/
CYCLONE NEWS
Tropical Cyclone Eloise struck northeastern Madagascar in late January 2021. In the districts of Antalaha, Maroantsetra, Vavatenina, and Toamasina, more than 1,000 people were directly affected, approximately 190 homes were damaged or destroyed, and one person died. The storm crossed northern Madagascar, toward the Mozambique Channel where it intensified, causing widespread damage and heavy flooding in central Mozambique. The storm displaced more than 16,000 people, damaged approximately 17,000 homes, and killed more than 20 people in a few countries in Southeast Africa. How did this affect Macolline Park???
The main entrance has some minor but easily repairable damage. Fortunately, the visitor center was spared major damage. This is mainly due to the assistance of Seacology who sponsored the cyclone-resistant repairs after the 2017 major cyclone Enawo.
Now for the exciting news!!!
The Rosewood trees (Dalbergia normandii) are blooming vigorously thanks to this storm!
Macolline is the only place to see Rosewood trees and flowers right in the heart of the city for all to observe and enjoy. We have already done several school trips and many students have had the opportunity to observe this incredible rare event.
Cyclones may play two "paradoxical" roles in genetic diversity. First, they cause forest degradation and consequently a loss of genetic diversity. But on the other hand, rosewood species pollination and sexual reproduction may occur mainly after a cyclone event. This could explain the high genetic diversity observed with Dalbergia normandii species.
Retrieved from: Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2015 open open
Despite cyclone ENAWO on March 3, 2017, Macolline is still open for visits! Especially to botanists interested in discovering new species, the reaction of plants in the event of a survival system…
The majority of our hard work has disappeared as you will see in photos. Starting with the entrance to the park, the welcome center, the pathway through the park is untraceable in most areas, both view point structures are badly damaged, most benches are gone, lots of deforestation and damaged trees, our fence that we had just about completed got pushed over by falling trees and wind etc… -JHA FUND
A report sent to the US Embassy Self Help Program of the United States Embassy which funds our environmental projects with Macolline:
The majority of our efforts at Macolline are gone as you will see in the pictures. Starting with the park entrance, the visitor center, the trail through the park is nowhere to be found in most areas, both viewpoints are badly damaged, most of the benches are gone, lots of deforestation and damaged trees, our fence that we had pretty much finished was pushed over by falling trees and wind etc… -JHA FUND
_________________________________________________________________
Here are some photos of Macolline and the reception center, a few days after the cyclone:
Here are some photos at Macolline, before and currently:
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0009.JPG
“Flowers everywhere! Positive side of Enawo” says Marie Helene, founder of Macolline. There are many new plants and flowers already re-appearing as well as new species never seen before like Rhodocolea sp., as well as precious wood flowers like Dalbergia sp. for example.
Here are some pictures of some of the results that ENAWO has brought to our villages of former leprosy patients in CALA and the surrounding areas.
It will take a lot of effort and time to rehabilitate Macolline and the CALA villages . If you are interested in helping us restore, you can visit the DONATE menu .
Macolline Rehabilitation: WHAT ARE YOUR DONATIONS USED FOR? CLICK HERE
Thank you for your interest and support in the rehabilitation of Macolline.
https://macolline.org/cyclone-news/
PARTNERSHIPS & CONTACTS
CONTACTS
Information and questions about visiting the park: macolline.madagascar@gmail.com
Tourist and educational guides: Ertice and Lilyane +261 32 89 358 26 marielilyane@gmail.com
Founder and President: Marie-Hélène KAM HYO ZSCHOCKE mhkamhyo41@gmail.com
Communications, External Relations and Philanthropic Development Officer: Joey Moscovitch JHA Fund joey@jhafund.com
Head office: Office at Pharmacie KAM HYO BP 134, Rue de Tananarive Antalaha 206
PARTNERSHIPS
- CALA Leprosy Relief Committee of Antalaha
- CALA FRANCE
- Aust & Hachmann, Montreal
- SES: Bernd and Renate Juencke
- Aust & Hachmann, Hamburg
- GERMAIN Establishments, Antalaha
- National Botanical Conservatory of Brest
- JHA FUND
- Lucile Allorge, botanist at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris
- Peter Phillipson, MBG botanist
- Raoul Follereau Foundation
- Botanical gardens of France and French-speaking countries
- Priori Madagascar House
- NATURALG MADAGASCAR
For more tourist information, you can visit the Prime Mada Guide website: Prime Guide to Madagascar destinations GRANTS AWARDED
Click on a link below and they will explain why we received financial support from these supporters and how the donation was used.
Seacology
Duke Lemur Center
Lemur Conservation Foundation
https://macolline.org/partenariats-contacts/
NATURALG Madagascar
CULTIVATE THE SEA, RETURN THE FOREST TO THE EARTH
The Cap Est region, which includes the Cap Est lagoon and the Masoala National Park, is home to the Atsinanana rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This incomparable, remote and difficult to access place has an exceptional universal biodiversity. The species endemicity rate of these sites is estimated at an average of 80%, which places this area among the most unique for its biodiversity in the world (UNESCO source). Many organizations such as MNP (Madagascar National Park), the Wildlife Conservation Society, Care International and WWF work to preserve this exceptional environment. Indeed, the Cap Est region is plagued every year by devastating cyclones and the ancestral slash-and-burn cultivation ("tavy") which is just as destructive. These events harm the protection of this major national park, but also increasingly prevent the subsistence of local communities in these protected areas.
The remoteness of farming villages and the lack of adequate road infrastructure is another factor that increases the vulnerability of farmers. Roads in the region are in poor condition, with many villages having no roads to connect to other villages. Even main roads are often only accessible during the dry season. The impacts of this isolation are significant, as farmers struggle to obtain agricultural products.
NATURALG wanted to invest economically and socially in this region in order to offer villagers new development prospects, less subject to the vagaries of the weather and ancestral practices which are now harmful to sustainable agriculture.
Our vocation is to reintegrate villagers into local economic activities by promoting the environment they cultivate. NATURALG thus offers them the opportunity to move from agriculture to seaweed farming.
Consolidating this activity and its inherent social dimension is NATURALG’s challenge.
Removing farmers from the forest they are devastating and optimizing the working conditions of seaweed cultivation contribute to the protection of the primary forest of the Masoala National Park. These are our social, economic and environmental responsibilities. SUSTAINABLE ALGAE
NATURALG has an environmental permit from the Ministry of Environment and an authorization from the Ministry of Fisheries and Fisheries Resources (MPRH) in the Eastern Cape region.
NATURALG combines two planting practices: the first called “ Off-Bottom ” and the second “ Long Line ”. The combination of these two complementary cultivation systems optimizes the harvest of algae.
The Long Line brings together trained and salaried staff: company farmers. They carry out planting and harvesting on board the boats regardless of the weather, thus complementing the harvests from the Off-Bottom method.
A PRODUCTION LINE UNDER CONTROL
Control of the entire production chain allows for total traceability of products. With a larger production of algae, NATURALG was able to develop the “post-harvest” stages and ensure the traceability of production, in particular thanks to the increase in drying surface capacity and the guarantee of good drying. ECOSYSTEM
AT THE HEART OF THE COMPANY: THE ENVIRONMENT
NATURALG is consolidating its action to raise awareness among surrounding communities about taking the environment into consideration through the following measures:
NATURALG is consolidating its action to raise awareness among surrounding communities about taking the environment into consideration through the following measures:
- Crucial respect for the rules of exploitation of marine resources: fishing and cultivation areas are exploited in agreement with local fishermen.
- Provision of essential equipment for seaweed farming: cultivation lines and boats necessary for marine logistics.
- Continuous analysis of the marine environment: daily measurement in particular of water temperature and salinity.
True to the spirit of seeking environmentally friendly solutions , we use plastic bottles as floats for production lines. Several thousand bottles have found a second life and have become a production tool instead of being wasted. This action creates a new plastic recycling solution in the northeast of Madagascar.
We have also implemented a forest restoration programme by planting native forest species. This not only aims to improve the quality of habitat for forest animals, but also to meet the needs of local people for timber and charcoal production, through the planting of fast-growing species.
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most people depend on the land for their livelihood and agriculture is the main source of income. To protect the environment, we take into account the people who depend on its resources. We work hand in hand with the communities to provide them with the knowledge and skills to protect their environment. Through these projects, we also aim to improve the quality of life of this rural community. We achieve this by promoting improved agricultural techniques and diversification towards other sources of income. In addition to providing a more secure and sustainable future , this approach also helps to reduce the damage caused to biodiversity and forests by current practices.
To maintain support for this project at the local level, MACOLLINE supplies the plants through its nursery.
MEN AND WOMEN, A RELAUNCHED ECONOMY
More than 200 families gravitate around the NATURALG activity. These people now have a stable income and a real job, that of Algoculteur. This new sea activity represents an alternative source of income, replacing the deforestation activities of the Cap Est forest and thus allows nature to regain its rights and rebuild itself naturally.
NATURALG is proud to contribute to the development of a new sustainable economy in these villages:
- On the one hand, by bringing new know-how, close to their traditional profession.
- On the other hand, by helping to raise ecological awareness which will have a strong impact on local dynamics for the coming years.
Social values are a priority in Madagascar, NATURALG strives to achieve gender equality. Trained in the profession of Algoculteur like men, women also use their traditional craft skills to lead major stages of the post-harvest process such as the creation of equipment and the cutting. Women play an essential role within the company and represent more than 60% of the entire NATURALG workforce.
HEALTH
Thanks to its solid presence in the region, NATURALG can now contribute to improving the living conditions of villagers. Built in 2014, with funding from Orange Solidarité Madagascar and the NGO MACOLLINE , the “ CSA MACOLLINE” dispensary located on the NATURALG site is now open to the public.
Villagers thus have access to a local clinic, without having to travel 7 km to reach the nearest hospital.
Thanks to the deployment of Algoculture in Cap Est, NATURALG is undertaking to economically and socially reinvigorate this region and to promote an environment that is unique in the world.
Through increased economic security, residents can invest in the health and education of their children. This leads to increased productivity and a boost to long-term sustainable local economic growth.
Through this virtuous circle, the generation of financial resources leads to investment in the well-being of the citizens of Cap Est, and their resilience to social, economic and environmental hazards.
Community growth is an integral part of this commitment, which supports our sustainable development strategy.
NATURALG MADAGASCAR focuses on four key areas that complement our corporate vision , our business objectives and our social , economic and environmental responsibilities .
- Environmental conservation
- Economic development
- Defense of health and education
- Support for social values
The demand for this type of sustainable product will only grow. The mobilization of resources for our project remains essential. We need your support now and for the months and years to come to improve and develop infrastructure, promote rural development and increase production and quality towards international markets. We are determined to become a high-growth economy and to project ourselves forward in our development.
NATURALG Madagascar
Tananarive Street
206 – Antalaha MADAGASCAR
naturalgmadagascar@gmail.com
AS LONG AS THERE IS WATER
"Water is life", as they say. On this basis, NATURALG undertook the construction of a water tower and the rehabilitation of an existing well to supply the needs of the staff. In 2015, three new wells were installed near the workplaces to provide an abundant water resource and satisfy the hygiene of the entire rapidly growing staff. They now benefit from easy and safe access to drinking water.
https://macolline.org/naturalg/
MAKE A DONATION
By bank transfer:
BNI MADAGASCAR
Bank code: 00005 Branch code: 00014 Account number: 315 380 9 02 00 RIB key: 68 IBAN: MG46 00005 000014 315 380 9 02 00 68 BIC CODE: CLMDMGMG
OR
If you want to send a check:
MACOLLINE / CALA Lot 45K rue de Tananarive, Tanambao 206 – ANTALAHA, MADAGASCAR
Donations of $500 or more are tax deductible . Click here – access our site CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
WHAT ARE YOUR DONATIONS USED FOR?
Macolline's assets today:
- Job creation for disabled former leprosy patients on site
- Completion of several reforestation projects . In total, more than 185,000 trees have been planted throughout the region
- Raising awareness among hundreds of young people, their involvement in the future of the planet being the only way to meet the ecological challenge of the coming decades.
Macolline needs $9 (27,900 MGA) per entry, per student. There are at least 30,000 students in the city of Antalaha. The goal is to educate at least 2,000 – 3,000 students per year.
Our annual budget is 115,207,230 MGA (approximately $38,500 USD) . Estimated annual budget in MGA and USD Salaries (permanent and daily) 33,466,800 ($11,155) Property maintenance and repairs 7,500,000 ($2,500) Benefits in kind 5,880,000 ($1,960) Cnaps (social security) 97,000 ($33) Logistical costs (fuel, drivers, maintenance, canoes) 9,263,430 ($3,088) Salaries of permanent environmental guides 34,800,000 ($11,600) Educational booklets 15,000,000 ($5,000) Documentary film 1,500,000 ($500) Office expenses 3,700,000 ($1,194) Rent 3,800,000 ($1,233) Bank charges 200,000 ($67) Total 115,207,230 (38,500$ USD)
More details on our activities and operating costs in PDF.
Macolline Rehabilitation: WHAT ARE YOUR DONATIONS USED FOR? CLICK HERE