The project area comprises the Berga, Weserbi and Bilacha wetlands in central Ethiopia. This area has been identified as the only breeding home of the White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi. The main objective of the project is to conserve the White-winged Flufftail in its only known core breeding site. The project also has other components aimed at improving the livelihoods of community members in need by engaging them in alternative income generating activities, to reduce the pressure on the wetlands. In particular, the project aims to a) limit and reverse habitat destruction/degradation at known sites through the enforcement of relevant community by-laws with the support of the local community and local government departments; b) establish the population size, trends and distribution for the White-winged Flufftail through field observations and surveys; c) reduce and manage adverse human interference by building easily visible barriers and raising the community’s awareness on the species; d) maintain favourable hydrological conditions at major sites through participative soil and water conservation work; and e) build capacity and raise awareness at the local, national and international level through trainings and dissemination of research findings.

This project is funded in the framework of the 2010 cycle of the AEWA Small Grants Fund.