SW/NIGER DELTA FOREST PROJECT – SW/NIGER DELTA FOREST PROJECT

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROTECTING & RESTORING SPECIES' POPULATIONS AND HABITATS IN AFRICA'S MOST POPULOUS NATION

In the words of Hansjorg Wyss “For the sake of all living things, let’s see to it that far more of our planet is protected by people, for people and for all time”

"Our vision is to stop species extinction and protect more places in Nigeria"

"Our mission is to provide the conservation solutions that will ensure the survival of threatened species and forest habitat in Nigeria"

WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO BETTER
TIME THAN NOW TO SAVE OUR SPECIES

Wildlife and their habitats are struggling to survive all over the world most especially in landscapes with high human population density. In Nigeria, we work in areas that should be declared as a “state of conservation emergency” where local widespread extinction is taking place in real-time, requiring critical urgent actions to save the day! The challenges in the landscapes where we work are overwhelming and complicated, but we are confronting them head on. Stepping into conflicts and knotty situations to bring back species from the brink of extinction and restore forests. As conservationists, we believe that by conserving one acre at a time and one species after the other, we are transforming whole landscapes into a safe haven for biodiversity. So that theres a generation that can step into a sustainable future without fear of natural disasters, pandemics and climate crisis – an enriching life full of possibilities.

That's why we work to:

OUR IMPACT

Acres of Forest Protected

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Children Engaged in Conservation Education

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Threatened Species Protected

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Livelihood Beneficiaries

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OUR APPROACH

Conservation
Intervention

Establishing protected areas & protected area management; habitat management & species-focused conservation efforts

Research &
Monitoring

Population Studies; Distributional surveys for georeferenced data; Evolutionary relationship studies using molecular genetics.

Policy
Advocacy

Consultations with government authorities; local communities; Negotiating alternatives and solutions.

COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT &
EMPOWERMENT

Alternative livelihood programmes; Linking social benefits to conservation actions; enhancing socio-economic benefits for local communities close to forest area.

EDUCATION &
OUTREACH

Community Outreach; Education programmes; Media and Public Awareness; Sensitization workshops for decision makers and decision takers; Networking events and Campaigns.

BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITY IN CONSERVATION

Training local communities and government institutions in conservation is vital for sustainable efforts. We focus on skill transfer through community-led initiatives and institutional support etc.

OUR PROGRAMMES

SPECIES-FOCUSED CONSERVATION

Our conservation efforts are centered on two important and vulnerable populations of endemic and near-endemic species. 1) The Niger Delta red colobus, which is found exclusively in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta. 2) The chimpanzee populations in southwestern Nigeria, which are biologically unique and closely related to the Nigerian-Cameroon subspecies.

LANDSCAPE -LEVEL CONSERVATION INTERVENTION

Our ultimate aim is to rehabilitate and conserve key portions of the Niger River Delta ecosystem, covering its swamp forests, mangroves, coral reefs, and ocean, by bringing 500,000 hectares under active conservation management. The conservation of the Niger River Delta landscape is an immense undertaking, necessitating a comprehensive strategy that encompasses scientific research, community involvement, and government support.

HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Our reforestation efforts focus on planting trees in deforested areas to restore ecosystems. We use Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) to support natural forest growth by managing existing vegetation. Trained community rangers and Protected Area (PA) managers handle protection tasks across our sites. Additionally, through our Farmers Field School program, we train farmers in agroforestry and distribute tree seedlings in partnership with local organizations.

MEET THE TEAM

Here are some of the team members
behind our outstanding results -

Teamwork and a strong team spirit are key attributes that drive our conservation efforts. Our project team consists of over 60 members, all of whom come from local institutions and communities. This is why we are recognized as the leading grassroots-focused conservation organization in Nigeria.

I am a Conservation Biologist with 15 years of work experience who holds a degree in Forestry and wildlife management from University of Uyo, MSc in wildlife management from University of Ibadan and MSc in Conservation Biology from A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute of University of Jos Conservatory. My area of specialization includes, species and habitat management and restoration, ornithology, primatology, conservation education, citizen science and field biologist. I am committed to impacting and transferring scientific knowledge to our team members.

Aniekan-Abasi Uwatt

Landscape Programme Manager

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from University of Ilorin. I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at National Teachers' Institute, Kaduna in affiliation with University of Ibadan and Masters of Science Degree (M.sc) in Cell Biology and Genetics from University of florin. I chose to join SW/Niger Delta Forest Project team so as to be able to build my career in Conservation Education as an Educationist and to broaden my knowledge in Conservation Genetics

Seun Adejuwon

IFCA Programme Manager

WOULD YOU CONSIDER SAVING SPECIES WITH US?

We are a grassroots-focused organization and we need all the help we can get.

5 REASONS WHY YOU MAY LIKE TO SUPPORT US :
1. Our work is prioritizing conservation of species populations on the brink of extinction.
2.   We are preserving highly threatened and fragile forest habitat overlapping areas with one of the highest human population densities in the world.
3.   Our project is a multi-stakeholder collaboration effort involving local communities and governments at all levels. We are applying public-private conservation model and a community-based conservation approach to promote local stewardship.
4.   We are helping local people and the Nigerian public to appreciate native species and their immediate natural environment.
5. We are promoting local initiatives and grassroots-tailored solutions while contributing to global conservation objectives.

As a Timber Traders Association, we are passionate about the SW/Niger Delta Forest Project since it has given some of our young people in Ise jobs, and the Rangers' protective efforts have helped push out Indian hemp planters and encroachers.

The SW/Niger Delta Forest Project is appreciated for empowering community women especially past leaf fetchers in the forest with a grinding machine that can provide daily income for them to make ends meet for their family. Provision of educational packages and giving of scholarship to school children especially the less privileged in Ise community is a laudable program SW/Niger Delta Forest Project will always be remembered for.

The empowerment programmes of SW/Niger Delta Forest Project in Ise-Ekiti has alleviated poverty from many homes in the community. The protection activities of the Rangers have really improved the security of lives and property in Ise community and environs.

The SW/Niger Delta Forest Project is providing employment for Ise youths and this has reduced the rate of unemployment among Ise indigene.

The SW/Niger Delta Forest Project has been a wonderful project in the Ise community in employing and empowering indigenes.

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