The Government of Liberia (GoL), through the Forestry Development Authority, (FDA), in partnership with Fauna & Flora International through the USAID-funded Conservation Works, concluded a three-day workshop from 7 – 9 June 2023, towards the drafting and endorsement of a new National Conservation Strategy for Liberia. Through a theory of change approach, participants derived an overarching goal for the strategy, identified the prevailing threats to conservation, designed a set of outcomes for the policy implementation, determined indicators to measure outcomes, and developed an implementation plan including the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders.
The overarching goal of the five-year strategy (2023-2028) is that “Biodiversity of Liberia is effectively, equitably, and sustainably managed through the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders for the benefit of both people and nature”. When endorsed, the strategy will be a tool for providing guidance on the design and implementation of biodiversity conservation activities and provide direction for the GoL and its partners for area-based conservation in Liberia, including large tracts of high conservation value landscapes such as transboundary areas. Also, the strategy will provide a framework through which financial and technical support can be harnessed for the effective conservation and management of forest resources and will provide a framework for an inclusive approach to conservation that recognises the rights and roles of local communities.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Jerry Yonmah, FDA, Technical Manager for Conservation, expressed gratitude for the level of support from partners in contriving a strategy that, according to him, “provides a bold vision for conservation in the country aligned with international commitments which the country has made.” He further appreciated the support from the United States Government through USAID for the efforts in protecting Liberia’s biodiversity through sustainable forest management. While buttressing the direct support given by USAID towards protecting Liberia’s unique biodiversity, Mr. Harrison Karnwea, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FDA noted that “the contribution of international partners has accelerated Liberia’s achievement of its commitment to conserve 30% of forest landscape. For this, the FDA remains appreciative. Despite the incredible contribution from our partners,” he continued, “livelihoods from these projects for local communities are not sufficient. We must move towards establishing prosperity within the forest communities if conservation will make any meaningful impact in the lives of rural Liberians.” He concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the US Government, Mr. John Pasch, the Economic Growth Director at USAID, noted that “The National Conservation Strategy is an important and critical process necessary for the development of the Liberian Natural Resource Sector. The stakeholder’s presence at the workshop was important to achieve a successful implementation of a National Conservation Strategy.” He continued that “tension could arise if the three pillars of social, economic, and development are not considered for conservation to be sustainable.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), represented by its National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Mr. J.S. Datuama Cammue emphasized the importance of aligning the National Conservation Strategy with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which is currently under review. He added that the EPA has given its full consent and support to the conservation strategy, and is willing to work with stakeholders and international partners to achieve its successful implementation.
In 2006 under its National Forestry Reform Law, Liberia set a commitment to conserve 30% of its forest land. In furtherance of that mandate, several protected areas have been created to meet this objective. The CW Deputy Chief of Party Atty. Urias S. Goll added that the Liberia conservation strategy is an encompassing lens through which this commitment will be achieved while integrating other areas of the conservation sphere for effective biodiversity conservation and natural resource governance. In her statement, the FFI Country Manager, Dr Mary Molokwu-Odozi noted that Liberia’s progressive forestry and land laws places the country in an excellent position to achieve its international commitments and contribute to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), especially the 30 by 30 target set by the CBD, which calls for 30 % of the earth’s land and sea to be effectively conserved by 2030. The GBF promotes respect for the rights of indigenous people and local communities (IPLC) and their involvement in the conservation of natural ecosystems, providing for the conservation and effective management of areas outside of conventional protected areas.
The workshop was attended by several government ministries/agencies, the diplomatic community, and development agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions and professionals from the forestry, development and conservation sectors. These include the Liberia Land Authority, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Internal Affairs, the EU, UK Embassy, the World Bank, UNDP, USAID’s West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emissions Development (WABiLED) and US Forest Service. EcoHealth Alliance, Conservation International, Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, Forest Cry, Elephant Research and Conservation, Farmers Associated to Conserve the Environment, Humane Society, Partners in Development, Skills and Agriculture Development Services, Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development and the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committee were among several conservation organisations and civil society groups that participated in the workshop.
The workshop was also attended by forestry veteran, Prof. John T. Woods, former Managing Director of the FDA and Mr Alexander Peal, an award-winning conservation veteran and founder of Liberia’s first national conservation organisation, SCNL. Academic institutions including, University of Liberia and Liberia’s Forestry Training Institute, and nascent conservation organisations such as The Nature Compact and Champions for Change where also present, providing a unique platform for the next generation of Liberian conservationists to engage with leading conservation experts. Over 80 people participated in the conservation planning workshop, which involved a reflection on the history of conservation in Liberia and what the country has achieved to date. The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Terry Sunderland, a landscape conservation specialist and professor of forestry and conservation from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
The USAID representative enjoined participants to ensure that the outcome of the workshop is put into action as having a strategy that is implementable is fundamental. The workshop marks the initial step in the strategy development process as there will be regional validation of the national strategy in the southeast and northwest regions of the country.
With the endorsement of a collaboratively developed blueprint for conservation, the future is looking hopeful for Liberia’s rich and unique biodiversity.
The development of the Conservation Strategy was funded by USAID through its Conservation Works (CW) project, five-year funding from the United States Government to support conservation efforts in Liberia. The project is being implemented through a consortium headed by EcoHealth Alliance with partners including Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue, and Protection (LCRP), Partners in Development (PaDEV), and Solimar International.
