Betampona forest reserve is one of the last surviving lowland rainforests in Madagascar. It is home to thousands of species found nowhere else on earth, including the critically endangered Indri lemur and the near extinct Aye-Aye. However, the survival of this precious forest and its unique wildlife is threatened by the extreme poverty of the local population who rely directly on the natural environment to meet their basic needs for food, firewood and shelter.

MfM offers families living in the forest margins sustainable alternatives to deforestation and wildlife poaching. By providing training, tools and technical support for a range of sustainable income generating activities, we enable families to improve food security and increase income without having to clear more forest for agricultural land or hunt lemurs for meat. Environmental education also helps families understand the value of local forests and wildlife.