By: Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay |Montserrado County Correspondent
Grand Gedeh County, Zwedru, March 19, 2025- The Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) has officially launched the Sustainable Forest Conservation project in Southeastern Liberia.
Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, a conservation non – government organization is the lead implementer of the project, along with other partners including Society for the Conservation of Nature Liberia (SCNL) and Universal Outreach Foundation (UOF) in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and local communities.
The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in the SARPO National Park, Grebo-Krahn National Park and later at the proposed Kwa National Park.
Carved under the acronym “SUSTAIN,” the project is aimed at building the capacities of Eco Guards, Forest Rangers to patrol in the parks and remove illegal miners, loggers, hunters and all illegal and unsustainable activities from the parks, empower community members through livelihood programs, supporting government through FDA in the management of the parks amongst others.
Giving the overview of the project during the launch, Annika Hillers, Country Director, Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) elaborated that the project is being implemented in the Sarpo National Park, Grebo – Krahn National Park and proposed Kwa National Park and plans are underway to explore the corridors between the Sarpo National Park and Kwa-Mat Park.
Dr. Hillers emphasized the importance of the local communities, FDA, local county administrations in the day-to-day management of the parks, plans to implement the community Eco Guards program and other auxiliary programs which aim at supporting law enforcement arms of FDA.
She placed strong emphasis on Conservation enterprise Development in terms of bee-keeping, agriculture, village savings and loans association, Eco tourism amongst others. There are plans to support the Sarpo Women Conservation Club, construction of a Guest House in ITI. Others include improving the lives of over 40 women who have changed from selling bushmeat to legal businesses.
She indicated that there is available funding to establish international research and training sites and proposed Kwa National Park which will be co-managed by FDA, Forestry Training Institute and Global communities.
Dr. Hillers acknowledged a major challenge which is the reduction of the proposed Kwa National Park but remains committed to establishing the training sites at the park. She indicated her commitment to continue the community volunteer program by supporting women who have moved from selling bushmeat to legal businesses, establishing skills training, scholarship programs for local communities to attend either at the county community colleges, and FTI as empowerment for local people.
Other programs include community engagement, supporting wildlife clubs, working with FDA and local communities in development of buffer zone regulations, and drawing conservation agreements with community people.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
