The Association For Coastal Ecosystem Services

Constitutional objectives

The organisation is established for charitable purposes only, and in particular, the objects are: to advance environmental protection and improvement through the preservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of natural coastal ecosystems, in particular mangrove forests. and to relieve poverty by improving the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities living in or near such natural coastal ecosystems through a) the preservation and enhancement of the natural abilities of such ecosystems to provide resources and other benefits defined as ?ecosystem services? upon which these communities depend, such as fisheries, coastal protection and medicines, and including adaptation to effects of climate change. b) the promotion of more prudent and sustainable local management and use of these resources and ecosystem services. c) facilitating the access of these communities to payments for ?ecosystem services? generated by the areas under their stewardship, such as the mitigation of global climate change through carbon sequestration and storage, through independently validated schemes such as the Mikoko Pamoja Project in Gazi Bay, Kenya. and to advance education by disseminating knowledge about such coastal ecosystems in communities living in or near them, in Scotland and internationally, including a) raising awareness of the value of their ?ecosystem services? and the purposes of the Association, its projects and partner organisations. b) training volunteers, students, members of partner organisations and others interested in the ethical and sustainable protection and management such coastal ecosystems. c) the dissemination of research on these subjects, particularly by working in partnership with the academic and development communities in Scotland by exchanging knowledge, ideas and experience in ecosystem study and conservation and the dissemination of ethical best practice. and to advance science by promoting research a