Where We Work

SEE WHERE WE WORK AT A GLANCE

Learn MORE about our project sites

Ise Forest Reserve

Ise forest reserve is a small reserve of about 46sqkm in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. The reserve is bordered by the Ogbesse River and the Ondo-Ekiti boundary along its western limits. The reserve can be accessed from Ise-Ekiti town which is about 6km on a straight line direction to the northern edge of the reserve and also the reserve is accessible from the south along the Akure – Benin expressway from the Uso community in Ondo State which is about 9km on a straight line direction to the southernmost limits of the reserve. The Ise forest reserve is considered an important priority area for Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee conservation in southwestern Nigeria. SINCE 2021, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR 33.3sqkm WITHIN THE RESERVE FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM.

Apoi Creek Forests

The Apoi Creek forests harbours the last most significant population of the Niger Delta red colobus monkey anywhere in the world. This swamp forest habitat has been the subject of much debate with regards to its location in relation to the designated Apoi forest reserve in government documents from the 1970s and the digital delineation in IUCN-WDPA-WCMC records. Notwithstanding, the area is also internationally recognized as a Ramsar site, an important wetland providing not just vital ecosystem services but sustains local livelihoods. It is surrounded by Apoi, Kokologbene, Gbanraun communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Within these forests we have successfully created and support the management of three community-based conservation areas namely the Apoi Community Conservation Area: Kokologbene Community Conservation Area and Gbanraun Kingdom (Community) Conservation Area.

Kolotoro Communal Forests and Environs

Located in SILGA Bayelsa State. The range of the Niger Delta red colobus monkey – a species endemic to the region – continues to be central to our project objectives and efforts. We are exploring other community forests that show potential where a viable population of this species can still be conserved. The Kolotoro-Ongoloba forests and environs adjoining Kasama, Sampou and Azama was the focus of these efforts since 2016 but as forests in this area has significantly diminished, we are making efforts with neighbouring communities where there are still patches of forest to salvage in this vast landscape. This is one of the last wildernesses where populations of critically endangered Niger Delta red colobus monkey were observed in our 2013 range wide assessment. This area also falls within the Niger Delta swamp forest ecoregion.

Proposed Edumanom National Park

The area known as Edumanom was since proposed as a national park but essentially is used and managed as community forest land. The site is about 87km2 of mostly swamp forests containing relict populations of Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee, Sclater’s guenon amongst other important primates species. The area overlaps both Ogbia and Nembe Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State and includes patches of forests utilized by the Emago-Kugbo community in Rivers State. Our Director worked in the site studying chimpanzee populations from 2013 – 2017. In 2024, we were invited by two of the communities with claims to this forest to replicate the community-based conservation model in the site. We are still reviewing this request and discussing the modalities with all stakeholders considering the proposed national park management status of the area.

Idanre Forest Cluster

The Idanre forest cluster covering an area of 2159.2sqkm is ecologically located within the unique Nigerian lowland forest ecoregion, which is part of the Guinea-Congolean moist forest zone and has been identified as biologically important as one of the last two remaining forest blocks in south-western Nigeria of high conservation importance. The forest cluster is made up of five forest reserves namely Idanre, Akure-Ofosu, Ala, Owo, Onisheri, Otu, Irele forest reserves in Ondo State including Ohosu forest reserve in Edo State.The Idanre forest cluster is equally one of three remnant areas that habours of forest elephants in southwestern Nigeria including the Okomu National Park and Omo forest cluster. Some other mammals confirmed in this forest cluster are diurnal primates such as the Nigerian white throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythogaster pococki), the Nigerian putty nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans insolitis), Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona) and the red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus). Other wildlife resident in these forests include forest buffalo (Synerus caffer nanus), red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), Maxwell’s duiker (Cephalophus maxwelli), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), African civet (Civettictis civetta), Rock hyrax (Procavia spp.), Cuisimanse (Crossarchus ssp) and Western tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis) and African tree pangolin amongst others. The Idanre cluster is a historical project site as our activities in this site have been scaled down over time following the apathy of the state government to implement proposed conservation solutions.

COASTAL FORESTS FROM FOROPA TO KOLUAMA CLAN

As part of our interventions in coastal forests and marine environment. We are now working in 6 communities from Foropa to Kulama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa. These coastal communities are in a region deeply intertwined with the ocean that surround it. Fishing is a way of life here, with generations of families relying on the mangrove swamps, coastal barrier islands, coral reefs for their livelihood. However, the communities face significant challenges due to environmental issues, particularly oil spills which have had devastating effects on both wildlife and the people who depend on it. The people on the other lack the conservation awareness and management skills to best utilize their natural resources. However, the scenery from the mangrove swamps to the open sea, remains a testament to the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Niger Delta, despite the adversities it faces.