South-West/Niger Delta Forest Project

12/04/2026

https://youtu.be/G4IyLL6zRrA?si=ltg9az0KSdZUEnrg

07/03/2026

In Kokoloama and Gbanraun Community Conservation Areas, where we began habitat restoration efforts several months ago, starting with a hands-on training curated by plant experts and delivered to the 'tree guardians' (and volunteers) - a select group of community members who are leading the effort to restore the ecosystem. From sourcing seeds from remnant forest blocks to irrigating them by the creek and now preparing for the transplanting of thousands of seedlings, they have mastered every step of the lifecycle.

This is what conservation action should look like; this is how tree planting ought to be implemented - with full community involvement that will nurture the process, not just the plants.

Watching these local efforts scale up is a testament to what is possible when conservation is stewarded by those who know the pain of the loss, the cost of the work, and the benefits that await.

ScalingImpact

08/03/2025

Today is International Women's Day and the theme for 2025 is Accelerate Action. Action in what? We believe that's in *Women's Rights, Equality and Empowerment* Our team in Ise Foresr Conservation Programme are marking this day with the wonderful women of Ise-Ekiti. The women's words in this song speaks profoundly to reinforcing their belief in thebrole they play in the community and so enjoins everyone to recognize them for who they are , they say:

I'm a woman. I'm wonderfully made.
I'm a woman, I'm proud of myself.
I will walk majestically and raise my shoulder.
I'm a helper to my husband, yes I am
I am the mother of nations, celebrate me
I am beautiful and grateful to the Creator.
There's no mistake in my creation, so celebrate me.

Today, we remind women in communities where we work across the country that they don't need to be at the sidelines of conservation management projects. They need to participate in every step of the management processes - decision making, planning, implementation and evaluation. *Conservation isn't done right if women are removed from governance and actions* They are raising not just children but in realty, communities nations in the making and they ought to be involved in the decisions that affect them and their children.

01/11/2024

On the 1st of November 2021, together with the Apoi people of Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, we officially marked the creation of the Apoi Community Conservation Area (ACCA) in a small ceremony. We collectively made a decision on that rainy day in November that we would commemorate the day going forward as World Epieni Day.

The Apoi Community Conservation Area stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of collective action in environmental conservation. The establishment of ACCA and the celebration of World Epieni Day highlight a profound commitment to preserving the natural heritage of the Niger Delta for future generations. We are beginning to understand how this initiative will forever change the ecological landscape of Nigeria's Niger River Delta, from one devastated by resource exploitation to one valued for its biological diversity.

This day has also fostered a sense of pride and unity among the Apoi people. This annual festivities, vibrant with color and filled with joy, underscore the community's deep connection to their land and culture. It's a day where tradition and progress walk hand in hand, as the elders and youth come together to honor their roots while nurturing the growth of their decision to conserve one species and to see how it in turn now preserves their essence. The transformation witnessed by the children is particularly poignant, as they grow up understanding the value of conservation and the impact of their actions on the world around them. Our World Epieni Day is more than a celebration; it's a living, breathing movement that continues to inspire and shape the stewardship of Africa’s second largest swamp forest and the world's third largest contiguous mangrove forest.

Tell us, will you be joining us next year for World Epieni Day? Would you join us if we guarantee that you will get a chance to catch a glimpse of the rare Niger Delta red colobus monkey - the Epieni?

01/11/2024

We are thrilled to announce that we have been invited to be official nominator for The Earthshot Prize 2025, joining a prestigious global network of organizations. Our role will be to nominate innovative ideas, individuals, communities, businesses, organizations and public sector that demonstrate or propose solutions any of the five Earthshots goals.

The Earthshot Prize founded by HRH Prince William, The Prince of Wales and the renowned Sir David Attenborough. Earthshot winners stand a chance to win £1,000,000 in grant to scale their impact. Receiving an invitation to be a Nominator for The Earthshot Prize acknowledges our leadership in environmental efforts and our dedication to the collective mission of restoring our planet. If you have an innovative solution to an environmental challenge, please look out for our announcement on all our social media platforms on the 5th of November 2025 where we will share our nomination guidelines, terms and conditions, submission form and deadline.

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09/09/2024

In two of our project sites (i.e., Apoi Community Conservation and Ise Forest Conservation Area), we have installed 150ft network mast with a communication coverage of 45 - 60km. Radio communication has become crucial for conservation activities due to the growing concerns of insecurity in the forests areas of the country. However, these are some important reasons for radio communication in species conservation efforts which include:
- real time coordination amongst field teams. Seamless communication allows rangers to coordinate their efforts and for patrols/surveillance to be more effective
- Safety, ofcourse!
- Effective wildlife monitoring etc.

Thanks to our partners who have helped to make this all possible:

Thank you that we are now able to enhance the safety of the field teams and the efficiency of our efforts because of your support.

We have 61 field staff and counting (this number will almost double by the end of 2024), working daily in the forest. If you want to learn how you can support our work protecting wildlife and this forest environments, email us with the subject 'support' to [email protected]

04/09/2024

Just concluded roundtable discussion/workshop with the business people and leaders of Ise-Ekiti on how to make economic sense of the Ise forest conservation area. The enthusiasm in the room was unmatched, a determined people ready to make the forest not just a conservation area but also a tourist destination. GET READY GET READY FOR ECOTOURISM BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE

Will you be visiting the Ise Forest for ecotourism?

31/07/2024

Happy World Rangers Day! What a day, celebrating the people who protect our wildlife and wildcards. These men and women are indispensable. In Nigeria, they are not just keeping the wildlife safe but people too. Their continued presence in these forest environments keep bandits, terrorists and kidnappers away. We owe them all a debt of gratitude, that's why today was all shades of celebration across our project sites: from parades, meet and greet in the community, friendly football matches and lots of merrying.

13/04/2024

How do you know a conservation program is working?

When you can take a photo of an ungulate with your mobile phone in an area with a fairly recent history of heavy hunting. Bear in mind these wildlife species are wired to run at first sight of anything predator, in this case - humans 😀

Photo: A female bushbuck in Ise Forest Conservation Area.

09/11/2023