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CNC-L to Sharpens Young People Minds through Conservation of Biodiversity Capacity Building Initiatives in Paynesville, Liberia.
In a stride towards fostering environmental stewardship for young people, the Champions for Nature Conservation – Liberia began a month–long engagement with over 10 schools’ authorities in Paynesville, to present one of its programs titled Youth Engagement and Capacity Building and inform on how schools can form part of the mind sharpening program.
The Champions for Nature Conservation – Liberia which is a non-governmental organization established in 2023, works in 6 thematic programs to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources and improve the well-being of local communities while helping to foster Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) in Liberia. The six programs are Habitat and Wildlife Conservation, Community-based Conservation, Climate Change adaptation and mitigation, Youth Engagement and Capacity Building, Eco-tourism and Urban and Peri-urban Conservation.
The school program that falls under, Youth Engagement and Capacity Building focuses on the establishment of nature clubs, eco-schools’ establishment, and guided nature tours/field trips among participating institutions to foster an environmental stewardship. This program aims to offer internship and volunteer initiative opportunities for students, researchers, and volunteers. It also seeks to educate young people through nature-based conservation awareness and education.
Since 2018, the organization has been partnering with the Department of General Forestry at the university of Liberia. The partnership has enabled UL faculty members and CNC staff to work together and provide hands-on practical knowledge to students reading general forestry at the university of Liberia, by hosting students in the Conservation Education Center and the nature conservation and research forest to discover more about nature, biodiversity, and sustainable lifestyles while sensitizing them to take concrete actions for plants and animals. Additionally, the faculty members and students have carried out the initial identification and labeling of plants in the nature conservation and research forest for educational purposes.
The Conservation Education Center and research forest is located in Gormosue, Bensonville, Liberia. The research forest is situated on two hectare of land and the center can accommodates 45 individuals at a time.
The CNC-L capacity building program, which is designed for all school-going young people from eight years and above, will sharpen the minds of youths, making them eager to discover new ways to advocate and contribute to the protection of natural resources. The program will also help individuals develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Liberia.
With the many schools visited, the majority of the schools’ authorities have shown interest in the program and pledged their participation. In the same tone, they all lauded the Champions for Nature Conservation Liberia Chief Executive Officer, Moses A. Massah Sr., for his great vision and initiative, stating that the program is such an educative program that will help sensitize people about nature.
