In the last 50 years Madagascar’s human population has grown 4-fold to 22 million. At the same time over 40 percent of the nation’s remaining forest was cleared for agriculture and by loggers and fuel wood collectors; almost 90% of Madagascar’s forests have been lost since humans colonized the island Makira National Park (3,720 km2) and the surrounding community lands (3,500 km2) constitute the largest block of intact forest remaining in the country. These intact forests support the highest diversity of lemur species and over 50% of Madagascar plant biodiversity. WCS manages the park, for the Government, in collaboration with 67 community organizations that represent the 48,000 people who live in villages bordering the protected area. To help finance the management of the park and as a tangible economic incentive for local families to conserve the forest, WCS initiated the Makira Carbon Project in 2003 in partnership with the Government. Makira Carbon was the first Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project implemented in Madagascar and has secured certification under both the Verified Carbon Standards and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards. In December 2013, the Project was the first in Africa to sell Government-owned forest carbon credits on the voluntary market.