WCS Rwanda

Home
Rwanda
Kigali
WCS Rwanda

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

WCS Rwanda aspires to conserve the diverse wildlife found in Rwanda through research, conservation, restoration, and education and outreach projects.

03/09/2026

From Learning to Action: Responding to Forest Fire in Nyungwe National Park - Rwanda

When fire broke out along the Nyungwe National Park buffer zone on 5th August 2026 in Ntsinduka Village, Niyitegeka Merci, Cyato Sector Forest Officer, paused to understand the fire before confronting it.

After assessing the fire’s behavior, wind direction, available fuel, and the safest approach, Merci and the response team chose an indirect attack strategy, constructing control lines to slow and contain the advancing flames.

The approach drew directly on the skills Merci gained through recent integrated fire management training hosted by WCS Rwanda in partnership with Rwanda Forestry Authority and Ministry of Environment weeks ago before the fire broke out. ,The training included wildfire prevention, preparedness, ecology, and response modules that cover fire behavior assessment, control-line construction, hotspot monitoring, and team leadership.

“We chose an indirect attack strategy because the fire was spreading quickly,” Merci explained. “Approaching the fire directly could have increased the risk to the responders.”

The team worked together, with individuals taking responsibility for monitoring fire behaviour, strengthening control lines, and checking areas that had already been treated. Their coordinated response helped bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading further.

But the work did not end when the flames subsided. The team continued monitoring the area for hotspots and possible re-ignition, both critical steps in ensuring the fire was fully contained.

For Merci, the experience reinforced an important lesson: effective fire management is not only about extinguishing flames. It requires preparation, early detection, teamwork, informed decision-making, safe response, and continued monitoring.

“The knowledge gained during training can make a real difference when facing an actual emergency,” he said.

The incident demonstrated how investing in practical fire management skills can strengthen local capacity to protect forests, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and communities from wildfire.

31/08/2026

Building a sustainable finance pathway for Rwanda’s forest restoration.

WCS recently shared key findings from the Congo-Nile Divide Project’s JREDD+ pre-feasibility assessment, exploring how Rwanda can leverage forest carbon finance to support restoration, climate action and biodiversity conservation.

The assessment identifies strong potential for forest carbon removals and recommends moving forward with a nested jurisdictional ARR program using the ART TREES standard.

The next step is full feasibility - turning this potential into an investment-ready proposition that can attract up-front finance and support long-term forest conservation.

Working together, we can turn forest restoration into lasting climate and conservation impact.

+

21/08/2026

Throwing it back to three days of collaboration and shared learning in Musanze.

The workshop brought stakeholders together to shape a stronger, more coordinated approach to integrated fire management across the Congo Nile Divide Landscape, starting with Nyungwe national park.

19/08/2026

Three days of collaboration, learning, and co-building for stronger fire management in Congo Nile Divide (CND) Landscape.

From 11–13 August in Musanze, WCS Rwanda, in partnership with the Rwanda Forestry Authority RFA convened stakeholders from across CND region to work toward building a practical model for integrated fire management, starting with Nyungwe National Park.

Actors from conservation, central government, local authorities, emergency response, security, meteorological services, and the private sector, worked together to strengthen approaches to fire risk reduction, preparedness, early warning, response, recovery, community engagement and implementation - building a shared roadmap for stronger wildfire management.

One plan. Shared responsibility. Stronger protection for Rwanda’s forests, biodiversity, and communities. A more resilient future.

12/08/2026

A look back at last week’s training. From the classroom to the field, where learning came to life through hands-on exercises, teamwork, leadership and practical fire management skills.

Building confidence and capacity for stronger wildfire response.

09/08/2026

Building stronger wildfire response capacity is essential for protecting Rwanda’s forests and biodiversity.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in collaboration with the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) through the Congo Nile Divide (CND) Project, conducted a Basic Integrated Forest Firefighter training in Gisakura.

The training combined theoretical sessions with hands-on field exercises, equipping participants with skills in Integrated Fire Management, fire safety, fire suppression strategies, the Incident Command System, operational planning, leadership, and community engagement.

Instructors based at consultants in Integrated Fire Management ( BREMIF ) participants representing organizations including park management, community cooperatives, and government institutions exchanged knowledge of best practices in community-based integrated fire management with local knowledge around fire culture and ecology throughout the training.

By investing in knowledge and practical skills, the training is helping build a stronger network of fire management professionals committed to protecting Rwanda’s forests and landscapes.

17/07/2026

From June 7–13, twelve environmental professionals came together in Rwanda for an immersive field course. Throughout the week, participants gained hands-on experience and explored Rwanda’s unique approach to conservation and restoration, learning from the people, organizations, and communities working to protect and restore the country’s landscapes.

📸 Picture 1:
Participants visited Gikondo Ecopark, an ongoing wetland restoration and development project in Kigali. Once completed, the ecopark is expected to contribute to a greener and more resilient sustainable city.

📸 Picture 2:
In Musanze, participants learned about Nature Rwanda’s efforts to restore the Mpenge River. Once heavily polluted and a source of health concerns for nearby communities, the river, its wetland source, and surrounding buffer now boast a recovering habitat of native flora and bird species, increased water quantity, and cleaner water used by the community.

📸 Picture 3:
The group gained hands-on restoration experience with Wildlife Conservation Initiative, learning techniques such as substrate preparation, seedling propagation through cuttings, disease management, and tree planting.

📸 Picture 4:
At Gishwati Forest, participants explored one of Rwanda’s important restoration landscapes, studying forest succession in Gishwati’s secondary forests and learning about ongoing efforts to conserve biodiversity and protect forest ecosystems.

📸 Picture 5:
In Rubengera, the group visited a smallholder farm enrolled in One Acre Fund’s Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) program. They also tried their hands at grafting and seedling care and discussed the practical realities behind large-scale tree-growing initiatives during a visit to a central nursery managed by One Acre Fund.

📸 Picture 6:
To conclude the field course, participants visited a remnant natural forest where Rwanda Forestry Authority is working with local communities to restore indigenous tree diversity in the Congo Nile Divide region. They explored how forest ecology, project management, funding availability, and community engagement interact and determine the success of landscape restoration initiatives

23/06/2026

Looking back on our June 5 symposium full of learning, reflection, and connection in Kigali!

Through powerful "Notes from the Field," our speakers shared valuable insights on forest restoration and sparked conversations on pathways to not only restoring ecosystems but restoring livelihoods and relationships with nature

We believe events like this are vital to exchange ideas. They spark new ideas, strengthen collaboration, and inspire innovation toward a more resilient future for people and nature.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this insightful evening!

Address

46 KG 5 Avenue
Kigali
KACYIRU

Telephone

+2507884502002

Website

http://rwanda.wcs.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WCS Rwanda posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to WCS Rwanda: