Global Landscapes Forum GLFx Uyo Chapter

22/05/2025

12/04/2025

GLFx Uyo Chapter Launches Community-Led Restoration Project and Tree Planting Initiative in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria - April 4, 2025

The GLFx Uyo Chapter, successfully held a Community Stakeholders Consultation meeting, inaugurated the chapter's community-led restoration project, and launched a 10ha Jackfruit plantation project in Midim Community, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

This milestone event marked the beginning of a significant partnership between WINCO and DESJI, aiming to scale and replicate community-led forest restoration projects across Nigeria. The first phase of the project, "Stemming the Tides and Impact of Massive Deforestation (STIM-D)," will restore and sustainably manage at least 2 Ha of degraded sacred and community forests in each of the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, over a period of five years (2025-2030).Emem Umoh, CEO of WINCO, commended DESJI's proactive approach to community forest management and expressed excitement about the partnership. "The WINCO-DESJI partnership will scale and replicate community-led forest restoration projects across various communities in Nigeria."

The Jackfruit Value Chain Development project, Nigeria's first agricultural innovation on jackfruit, aims to empower vulnerable community members, particularly women and youths. According to Uwem Hezekiah, Community Relation Personnel, ""This project will provide a sustainable source of income, enhance food security, improve community members' livelihoods and promote biodiversity conservation."

Victor Udom, speaking on behalf of DESJI, praised WINCO's conservation efforts and emphasized the partnership's importance. "This partnership will empower youths and restore degraded community forests, ravaged by abysmal deforestation and neglect."

Engr. Sam Ekpenyong, Director/Technical Adviser of DESJI, highlighted the need to restore sacred community forests (Akai), once hotspots for iconic native wildlife and tree species of medicinal, cultural, and conservation interest.

The event was attended by community stakeholders, including youth, women, and traditional leaders led by Chief Udoidung Daniel; the village head of Nto Udo who promised project support and protection by the community. The highpoint was the planting of 50 jackfruit trees to flag off jackfruit plantation development in the community.

07/04/2025

WOMEN IN NATURE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION (WINCO) PARTNERS DEFENDER of ENVIRONMENT & SOCIAL JUSTICE (DESJI), TARGET MASSIVE CONSERVATION IMPACTS:

In fulfilment of her core mandate of networking, partnership and fostering collaboration among stakeholders including governments, NGOs, private sector, and local communities, Women in Nature Conservation Organization / Global Landscapes Forum (GLFx) Uyo Chapter has signed a partnership agreement with Defender of Environment and Social Justice Initiative (DESJI)

Speaking at the event, Coordinator of Global Landscapes Forum (GLFx) Uyo Chapter Emem Umoh commended DESJI for their tireless efforts towards the promotion of social justice and community development.

She also stated that the partnership aims at scaling and replicating the restoration impacts of the GLFx Uyo, increasing the Chapter's active core team members to over fifty, drawn from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State including one from each LGA who will act as local government coordinator for GLFx Uyo Chapter in Nigeria.

Uwem Ezekiah who is the Community Engagement and Media Coordinator described the partnership as a mission aimed at promoting ecosystem restoration, policy advocacy, sustainable livelihood options, environmental conservation, and social justice for women as well as marginalized communities.
Speaking on behalf of DESJI, the Administrative Officer, Andy Aniefiok hinted that the partnership will proffer the required collaborative opportunities to enhance the collective achievement of the partners core goals towards working together to develop projects and initiate programs that will combat environmental degradation, promote social justice and address environment and economic inequalities in our communities.

Describing Emem Umoh as a square peg in a square hole, the co-founder of DESJI Engr. Victor Udom noted that the partnership shall leverage the combined skill pool from the joint team which boasts of members with diverse environment based professional backgrounds to synergize for measurable and sustainable impacts in the rural communities with the potential for upscaling to align with the goals of the GLFx,

Decrying the effects of urbanization on community forests as lots of species of medical and agricultural benefits are either extinct or seriously threatened, Engr. Sam Ekpenyong called for massive sensitization and collaborations with relevant stakeholders to foster effective conservation and restoration of degraded landscapes.

Amb. Mary Joseph a Deputy National Secretary of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and Director for Community Safety & Security for DESJI promised effective management of safety and security risks to ensure projects and programs are conducted successfully.

Engr. Emmanuel Usanga who spoke in his capacity as the Executive Director of Projects, DESJI stressed on the need for reforestation and preservation of ancestral sacred forests as a viable conservation strategy.

Emmanuel Udom a Clinical Dietician amongst others promised to use their expertise in making the partnership a success particularly in the Jackfruit value chain development.

Highpoint was the signing of partnership documents.

02/02/2025

02/02/2025

The World Wetlands Day awareness campaign is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands. Contracting Parties of the Convention on Wetlands have been celebrating World Wetlands Day since 1997, when it was first established.

The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. This includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

Wetlands are vital for human survival. They are among the world’s most productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival.

Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or “ecosystem services” that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation.

Women in Nature Conservation Organization (WINCO) is taking action to sustainably manage and protect wetland ecosystems and species for humanity and our planet.

Join us to support and be part of this movement to secure our common future.

29/01/2025

Congratulations GLFx Calabar, Nigeria.

24/01/2025

"The more you look, the more you see." - Emem Umoh

This beautiful quote from Emem Umoh, founder of the Women in Nature Conservation Organization (WINCO), perfectly encapsulates the transformative power of the humble jackfruit in Nigeria. Through her dedicated work, Emem has empowered local women to turn this once-underappreciated fruit into a source of livelihood, food security, and environmental sustainability.

WINCO’s innovative jackfruit value chain is not only improving the income and health of women but also contributing to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of community forests. By harnessing the potential of this superfruit, they are creating a brighter future for both their communities and the planet. 🌱🍈

Photo: Two women hoist a jackfruit during a training session. Photo credit: WINCO
Global Landscapes Forum
https://thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org/71550/how-jackfruit-is-changing-the-lives-of-nigerian-women/

09/11/2024

Announcing 2025 internship program opportunity.

We are dedicated to mentoring and nurturing future conservation leaders in Nigeria!