As part of her commitment to biodiversity conservation and protected area management in Nigeria, a 3-day Training Workshop on Important Bird Area (IBA) Monitoring was organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in Okomu National Park, Edo State for field staff of seven National Parks in Nigeria. The Important Bird Area (IBA) Monitoring Programme was initiated by the BirdLife International to protect a network of sites for their biodiversity richness and importance. As excellent indicators of the environment, bird diversity and assemblage are used to define and identify a site as an IBA, and ultimately recommend it for biodiversity conservation. Some of the IBAs overlap with protected areas in Nigeria like National Parks, Forest Reserves and Nature Reserves; which are home to some of Nigeria’s rarest biodiversity species such as White-Throated Monkey, Lowland Gorilla, Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee, African Elephant, Derby's Eland, Buffalo, Drill Monkey, Lion and rare species of birds like Ibadan Malimbe and Red-Casqued Hornbill. With funding from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and support from A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institution (APLORI) and Nigerian National Parks Service, the training aimed at developing the capacity of field officers on basic bird identification and sampling techniques, standard data collation…
Efforts must be made to ensure that wetlands are protected and used in a sustainable way that will ensure their utilization for the well-being of people, to grow food, to provide clean drinking water among others. At the Clean-up Exercise and Sensitization Programme at Badore community wetlands in Lagos by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, to mark the 2015 World Wetland Celebration, governments were enjoined to educate the populace about the vital role that wetland plays in their lives. With the theme, “Wetlands for our future” – this year’s World Wetlands Day highlight the various ways in which wetlands provide for us all, and the actions that need to be done to contribute to their conservation and restoration. In addition, the theme also emphasizes ways by which citizens can help raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands. Gathered at Badore in Eti Osa Local Government Area, students in their hundred from different schools took part in the sensitization campaign by sharing awareness materials to members of the communities on the value of the wetlands. This is to show a great advocacy effort on ways wetlands ensure the future of the inhabitants of the community. They later carried out…
Click here to see more pictures of the Clean-Up and Sensitization Campaign.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola inspected the newly constructed longest canopy walkway in the continent of Africa on Sunday, February 22nd, 2015. Located at the Lekki Conservation Centre, a project of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, the canopy walkway is about 401 metres long. Funded by the Lagos State Government through the state Ministry of Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, the walk way will soon be commissioned and opened to the tourists. Governor Raji Fashola who with some members of his cabinet walked through the sky walkway said “this is a nice work. It's good to walk through, get close to the nature, get to the top of the trees, see monkeys and birds. This is the longest skywalk in the whole of Africa, beating the one in Kakum National Park in Ghana". The Governor also inspected other newly constructed Eco-Park facilities at the Lekki Conservation Centre such as fish ponds, jungle gym, outdoor games, Gazebos and among others.
In line with the NCF mission to preserve the full range of Nigeria's biodiversity which includes species, ecosystem and genetic biodiversity, a Sea Turtle was rescued and released in to the sea at the Alpha Beach in Lagos. Two nature enthusiasts, Ayo Fadahunsi and James Kehinde brought the Sea Turtle to the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) from Jakande round/about along the Lagos - Epe expressway. Sea Turtle can be found along the Nigerian coastline. Leatherback Turtle for instance, is one of the five species of sea turtles that can be found in Nigerian coastline. It is the largest living sea turtle with weight and length exceeding over 650kg and 7ft respectively. With a lifespan of about 30 years in the wild and are currently threatened by marine pollution, poaching and harvest of eggs along beaches. Sea Turtle is an endangered species wherever it is found. Part of the measures to enhance its conservation and protection is to rescue it from captivity.
Click here to read more about the trip report.
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