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

Es 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