Conservation and its role in forest

governance in Liberia

For: Rethinking Liberia’s Forest Conference

Jessica Donovan-Allen

Conservation International- Liberia October 2015

West Africa Priority Setting Results

Forest Cover in West Africa

Liberia’s Biodiversity 2,000 flowering plants 240 timber species 125 mammals 590 birds 74 reptiles and amphibians

All threatened species for Liberia

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Why it matters to us:

Nutrient cycling

Climate regulation

Soil formation/ conservation

Air quality

Erosion control

Water provisioning and regulation

Disease control

Food, fiber, fuel

Pollination

Natural medicines

Freshwater CSIR South Africa

Conservation and protection is not an either or decision

Community based conservation Improving lives / conserving nature Traditional knowledge of the environment/ modern

science Local governance bodies Appropriate incentives for conservation Requires rethinking- multiple objectives, use of

partnerships, community engagement, new tools and monitoring methods, and learning by doing

Examples in Liberia are emerging

Several models are currently under development and should be given consideration in this new vision

Co-Management and conservation agreements for the East Nimba Nature reserve

REDD+ Pilot Project in Wonegezi

Ecoguard job creation program in Grebo

Community forestry for conservation in Nimba and Gola

Thank you