Four Communities In Grand Kru Benfit From Digital Mobile Training to Enhancing Local Conservation Efforts

By: Emmanuel Koffa| Grand Kru County Correspondent

Grand Kru County, Liberia –Thursday, October 2, 2025-At least four communities governed by the Mangroves Management Committee have recently benefited from a two-day intensive digital mobile capacity-building training aimed at enhancing local conservation efforts.

This initiative is a collaborative effort between Conservation International Liberia and local communities, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable environmental stewardship.

The beneficiary communities – Picnicess, Garraway, Grandcess, and Sass-Town – have each demonstrated a commitment to protecting their delicate mangrove ecosystems.

Solomon Carlon, Senior Manager at Conservation International Liberia emphasized the critical role that members of the Mangroves Management Committee will play as “Frontline Conservationists.”

He emphasized that these individuals will be responsible for conducting forest monitoring patrols to ensure adherence to sustainable practices within their communities.

During an interview in Barclayville, Carlon explained that the training was a direct response to the communities’ commitments to safeguarding their mangroves, moving away from unsustainable fishing practices, and engaging in the management of coastal ecosystems.

He expressed optimism about the skills that community members would acquire, which are intended to bolster monitoring efforts and support government initiatives focused on the preservation of Liberia’s natural resources.

As part of the training initiative, participants received mobile phones equipped with monitoring applications, along with essential operational tools such as rain gear, gloves, and shovels.

According to Carlon, these resources are designed to enhance the capacity of community members to actively participate in environmental monitoring and protection initiatives.

Despite the progress made, Carlon acknowledged some challenges encountered during the training sessions.

He urged participants to embrace their newfound responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of local ownership in the mission to safeguard their environments and natural resources.

Carlon noted that the training also served as a platform for collaboration with key stakeholders, including representatives from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).

He indicated that their involvement underscores the importance of multi-sectoral engagement in achieving successful conservation outcomes.

This digital training is part of the GCF-funded Natural Capital Accounting project in Liberia, which aims to integrate environmental considerations into national planning and decision-making processes.

The project is a collaborative effort involving the government of Liberia and several ministries, including the EPA, FDA, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MOFDP), and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA).

The successful completion of this training marks a significant step forward for the communities of Grand Kru County as they strive to protect their valuable mangrove ecosystems and promote sustainable livelihoods.