06/12/2025
Community-Led Ecosystem Restoration Project Launched to Protect Forests and Strengthen Climate Resilience in B**g County
Suakoko District, B**g County – A major four-year environmental restoration initiative has been launched in Suakoko District, targeting deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability across farm-forest landscapes in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The project—Community-Led Ecosystem Restoration in Farm-Forest Landscapes in Sierra Leone and Liberia—is being implemented by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) in partnership with Welthungerhilfe.
Speaking at the launch, Patrick Wehyie, Project Assistant, said the program is expected to directly benefit 7,500 households, with women and marginalized groups—including indigenous communities—representing 50% of the project’s core target group.
Mr. Wehyie explained that the initiative seeks to strengthen sustainable natural resource management while building a lasting culture of environmental stewardship. “Beyond restoring degraded forest landscapes, the project aims to empower communities with the skills to manage their own forest resources responsibly and benefit from sustainable agro-forestry,” he noted.
As part of the rollout, the project will provide specialized training for women in forest management, agro-business, and natural resource governance—empowering local women economically while expanding community participation in conservation.
Established in 2022 and formally accredited in 2024, the project has already initiated community land governance programs and other preparatory environmental activities. The full implementation phase is scheduled to run from March 2025 to January 2029, covering Suakoko District in B**g County and Mbayonba Landscape in Sierra Leone.
Launching the initiative on behalf of the B**g County Superintendent, Suakoko District Commissioner Jimmy Nieair lauded SDI and Welthungerhilfe for introducing what he called “a timely and impactful intervention.” He pledged the district’s full cooperation, describing deforestation as a “serious threat to livelihoods, food security, and climate stability.”
Traditional leaders, local authorities, and sector institutions—including Clan Chiefs, Commissioners, Paramount Chiefs, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—also participated in the ceremony. They expressed gratitude for the day-long technical training in forest management and committed to ensuring community involvement in conservation efforts.
The launch marks a significant step toward empowering communities to restore degraded landscapes, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience across the Liberia–Sierra Leone forest corridor.
