Nigeria’s National Coordination Group (NCG) for Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) was inaugurated at the National Parks headquarters, Abuja on 18th December, 2018. The core members of the KBA Partnership at global level are Birdlife International, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds (RSPB), Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Nature Serve, Conservation International, Amphibian Survival Alliance, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Global Wildlife Conservation and Rainforest Trust. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) have been recognised by twelve of the world’s leading conservation organizations as the currency for biodiversity conservation across the globe in an ambitious new partnership for nature. These sites include important habitats for plants and animal species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. This feat was accomplished in September 2016. Nigeria’s NCG is consists of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) as its Secretariat, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), Federal Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Environment and the National Parks Service. National Coordination Groups (NCGs) for KBAs are to primarily, coordinate the process to identify, document and delineate KBAs at the national level. Other responsibilities include promoting the…

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) held its annual dinner tagged “Green Ball” with the theme “Green Recovery Nigeria – Restoring the Mangroves and Reclaiming the Desert” on Saturday, 17th November, 2018 at the Grandball Room, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. This year’s event was used to create awareness and seek support for its Green Recovery Nigeria Initiative, while focusing on restoration of the mangroves and reclaiming the desert. Nigeria has one-third of the entire mangroves in Africa. This is the largest in the continent and the third largest in the entire world. The Niger Delta Mangroves are estimated to provide 60% of the spawning grounds of fishes in West Africa. Mangroves absorb carbon and they determine the livelihood of the coastal dwellers. Nigerian Mangroves make up 40% of the remaining original forests in Nigeria and cover 10,500 square kilometres. Mangrove degradation is being caused by oil pollution, firewood cutting, over-exploitation and sand filling among other factors. NCF and other environmental NGOs have embarked on Mangrove Restoration projects to restore Nigeria’s mangrove to at least 70% of their original states. There is an urgent need for rehabilitation for the mangrove ecosystem to be stepped up if they are to…