Build Nigeria’s Next Generation of Conservation Scientists
DONATE TO PANGOLINO Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Name Pangolino Location: Cross River State, Nigeria, Africa Appeal Category: Community Support and Development Capacity Building and Training Wildlife Conservation Key Species: White-bellied pangolin Black-bellied pangolin Challenges And Threats: Limited conservation training infrastructure and research opportunities for young scientists in Nigeria Ongoing illegal hunting and trade of pangolins driven by livelihood dependence and weak enforcement Fragmented data and limited technical capacity to support evidence-based conservation decision-making Actions: Establish conservation research and training center in Cross River State Train early-career Nigerian conservation scientists and community practitioners Expand community-based pangolin conservation and monitoring programs The Challenge Cross River State is home to two of the world’s most heavily trafficked mammals, the white-bellied pangolin and black-bellied pangolin, both under intense pressure from illegal hunting and trade. Conservation capacity in the region hasn’t kept pace with that threat: few facilities exist to train, mentor, or equip Nigerian researchers, leaving a critical gap between the urgent need for evidence-based conservation and the people available to deliver it. Communities living alongside pangolins often depend on the same forests for their livelihoods, creating trade-offs between economic survival and biodiversity protection that demand locally grounded, scientifically sound solutions. Urgent Solutions Pangolino has already purchased land near Calabar—roughly the size of a soccer field—to build a Conservation Research and Training Center. The center will train early-career Nigerian scientists in field ecology, spatial analysis, and conservation science, while supporting the community-based programs already reducing pangolin hunting in the region: school conservation clubs, participatory monitoring, and co-designed interventions with local stakeholders. By integrating fieldwork, data science, and community collaboration, the center will generate the evidence needed to guide conservation strategy across Nigeria. Why Your Donation Matters Funding this center builds a durable pipeline of Nigerian conservation expertise rather than another short-term intervention. Donations will go directly toward computers, essential infrastructure, and stipends for students and early-career conservationists—resources that currently don’t exist in the region. Strengthening local capacity means conservation solutions stay rooted in local knowledge and leadership, which is what’s required to address the deeper drivers of pangolin hunting: poverty, limited livelihood options, and weak enforcement. The center will also sustain the community programs already underway, helping reduce pressure on pangolins while building a sustainable foundation for conservation science in West Africa. Partner Qualifications Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact
Pangolino
DONATE TO PANGOLINO Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Pangolino Location Cross River State, Nigeria, Africa Category Capacity Building and Training Community Support & Development Wildlife Conservation Urgent Appeals Build Nigeria’s Next Generation of Conservation Scientists Date Founded 2022 Website www.pangolino.org Partner Qualifications Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact About Pangolino Pangolino is a Nigerian conservation nonprofit working to protect the White-bellied pangolin and Black-bellied pangolin through community-based conservation in Southeast Nigeria, where hunting remains the primary direct threat to both species. Their approach combines field research, conservation education, and collaborative community interventions that address the social and economic drivers behind wildlife exploitation. Pangolino has reached people through school conservation clubs, film screenings, and over 10,000 educational materials distributed to date. Their research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, produced one of the first detailed analyses of pangolin hunting and trade dynamics in Nigeria. Pangolino is co-developing community bylaws to reduce pangolin hunting while establishing a resilience fund to support local healthcare projects. Their Challenges Nigeria’s forests are disappearing. Agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, and a rise in small-scale mining—including inside Protected Areas—have fragmented habitat and driven steep declines in wildlife populations across the country. In Cross River State, two of the world’s most trafficked animals, the White-bellied pangolin and Black-bellied pangolin, face relentless pressure from hunting and illegal trade driven by demand for food, income, and international trafficking networks. Conservation capacity compounds the problem. With limited funding, weak enforcement infrastructure, and insufficient investment in locally-led research, Nigeria’s globally significant biodiversity remains chronically underprotected—and the communities most connected to that wildlife often face poverty and food insecurity that make purely regulatory approaches ineffective. Their Approach Pangolino’s model is built on the premise that effective conservation has to be designed with—not for—the communities closest to wildlife. Field surveys, interviews, and behavioral assessments build the baseline data needed for evidence-based decisions, which feeds directly into targeted outreach: school conservation clubs, community meetings, film screenings, and awareness campaigns designed to shift long-term behaviors. Their flagship initiative takes that engagement further—working with local stakeholders to co-develop community bylaws limiting pangolin hunting, paired with a locally identified healthcare resilience fund that links biodiversity protection to tangible community benefit. Strengthening the pipeline of early-career Nigerian conservation scientists is also central to their work. Why They Need Your Help Donations support two priorities: expanding community-based programmes already underway—awareness campaigns, school clubs, participatory monitoring, and the community bylaw initiative—and establishing a Conservation Research and Training Centre near Calabar on a plot of land Pangolino has already secured. The centre will provide early-career Nigerian researchers with hands-on training in field ecology, conservation science, and data analysis: infrastructure and mentorship that currently has no equivalent in the region. Funds go toward computers, essential facilities, and stipends for students and practitioners who would otherwise have no pathway into conservation science.
Somali Wildlife and Natural History Society
DONATE TO SWNHS Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Somali Wildlife and Natural History Society (SWNHS) Location Mogadishu, Somalia, Africa Category Endangered Species Scientific Research Wildlife Conservation Urgent Appeals None currently Date Founded 2015 Website somaliwildlife.org Partner Qualifications Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact About Somali Wildlife and Natural History Society The Somali Wildlife and Natural History Society (SWNHS) is Somalia’s leading independent conservation organization led by Somali scientists. After decades of conflict, Somalia’s environmental institutions remain fragile and much of the country’s wildlife has never been systematically surveyed. SWNHS fills that gap—conducting field research, running environmental education in schools and communities, and advising the federal government on conservation strategy. The Society works through specialized teams covering birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, flora, threatened species, environmental law enforcement, and climate change—giving SWNHS the breadth to respond wherever Somalia’s biodiversity is most at risk. Their Challenges Somalia holds one of Africa’s longest coastlines and a vast mosaic of drylands, riverine forests, and marine habitats—yet its biodiversity is under heavy pressure and severely under-monitored. Recurring drought and climate change are accelerating desertification, pushing pastoralist communities toward charcoal production and overgrazing. Iconic species—elephants, cheetahs, sea turtles, and the bustards of Somalia’s drylands—face habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and a domestic ivory market that continues to operate. Weak enforcement and limited baseline data make a coordinated response difficult. Their Approach SWNHS pairs Somali field expertise with rigorous science and direct community engagement. Recent and ongoing work includes: Elephant conservation. With Save the Elephants, SWNHS completed 150 community interviews across Lower Juba and Gedo, mapping reported elephant movements and human–elephant conflict. National wildlife survey. The 2024 Regional Wildlife Survey Report, prepared with the Somali National Museum, synthesized 142 wildlife records from six regions. Marine biodiversity and the ivory trade. SWNHS conducted a rapid assessment of the domestic ivory market with Stop Ivory (UK) and documents the illegal trade in sea turtles and other marine wildlife. Natural history knowledge products. In 2024 SWNHS published the first Checklist of the Birds of Somalia; a companion Checklist of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Somalia is also in circulation. Protected areas and policy. SWNHS led the biodiversity assessment of Lag Badana–Bushbushle National Park, advises IGAD on marine biodiversity, and supports the Ministry of Livestock, Forest and Range in building Somalia’s first national biodiversity data center. Education and awareness. School visits, community workshops, and public outreach build the next generation of Somali conservationists. Why They Need Your Help Somalia’s wildlife has been invisible to global conservation for far too long, and small Somali NGOs like SWNHS receive a tiny fraction of the international funding that flows to better-known regions. Through Conservation Allies, 100% of your donation goes directly to SWNHS—to fund the field surveys, community engagement, and scientific work that will determine whether Somalia’s elephants, sea turtles, and unique drylands have a future.
Save Djibouti’s Last Gazelles, Cheetahs, and Wild Places
DONATE TO ADN Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Name Association Djibouti Nature Location: Djalelo Protected Area, Djibouti, Africa Appeal Category: Endangered Species Community Support and Development Wildlife Conservation Key Species: Gerenuk (Near Threatened) Dorcas gazelle (Vulnerable) Soemmerring’s gazelle (Vulnerable) Challenges And Threats: Drought, irregular rainfall, and rangeland degradation Conflict over scarce resources between pastoralists, managers, and wildlife Biodiversity loss threatening species and livelihoods alike Actions: Restore rangelands through improved rainwater management Build inclusive dialogue platforms between herders and Protected Area managers Monitor and protect threatened wildlife through community-based conservation The Challenge The Djalelo Protected Area in Djibouti’s Arta Region is a cornerstone of the country’s natural heritage—and one of its most stressed. The site shelters emblematic and threatened species including the Gerenuk (Near Threatened), Dorcas gazelle (Vulnerable), and Soemmerring’s gazelle (Vulnerable). Its global scientific value was underscored by the 2019 rediscovery of the Somali sengi—long thought extinct and now recognized as a new genus for science—and by the 2023 confirmation of cheetahs in Djibouti for the first time in more than three decades. But the same landscape now faces converging threats. Recurrent droughts, increasingly irregular rainfall, and the degradation of rangelands are eroding ecological resilience and pushing fragile pastures toward irreversible collapse. As water and grazing become scarce, tensions rise—between pastoralist communities, Protected Area managers, and wildlife—over access to dwindling natural resources. And without dedicated species monitoring and community-based conservation, Djalelo’s rare and elusive mammals—including the maned rat, caracal, leopard, and the cheetahs rediscovered nearby—risk being lost before science has fully documented them. Urgent Solutions Association Djibouti Nature is leading three integrated lines of work at Djalelo, designed to address the Protected Area’s ecological, social, and biological challenges together. Donations to this appeal will directly support: Restoration of degraded rangelands through improved rainwater management, including the deployment of half-moon digging techniques that curb soil erosion, capture rainfall, and regenerate vegetation for both wildlife and livestock Establishment of inclusive dialogue platforms bringing pastoralist communities, Protected Area managers, and traditional and local authorities together to resolve resource-access tensions and co-design conservation measures Systematic biodiversity monitoring of Djalelo’s threatened species—including the Gerenuk, Dorcas gazelle, and Soemmerring’s gazelle—alongside the rare carnivores and elusive mammals documented in the area Public awareness and environmental education campaigns to build local stewardship and ensure long-term community engagement ADN team capacity, field equipment, and operations to sustain the work across the full project period Why Your Donation Matters Djalelo sits at the intersection of three of the hardest problems in modern conservation: a deepening climate crisis, contested access to natural resources, and a biodiversity register that is only beginning to be fully understood. None of these problems can be solved in isolation—and none of them will be solved without sustained investment in the people, the science, and the Protected Area itself. Your donation funds exactly that work. Through Conservation Allies, 100% of every dollar flows directly to ADN’s program—to the rangeland restoration, the community dialogue platforms, the species monitoring, and the on-the-ground engagement that together can secure Djalelo for the next generation of wildlife and the communities that share the landscape with them. For one of the most strategically important biodiversity sites in the Horn of Africa, this is the moment to act. Partner Qualifications Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact
Association Djibouti Nature
DONATE TO ADN Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Association Djibouti Nature (ADN) Location Djibouti, Africa Category Endangered Species Community Support and Development Wildlife Conservation Urgent Appeals Save Djibouti’s Last Gazelles, Cheetahs, and Wild Places Date Founded 1999 Website djiboutinature.org Partner Qualifications Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact About Association Djibouti Nature Association Djibouti Nature (ADN) is one of Djibouti’s oldest and most experienced civil society organizations working in biodiversity conservation. The organization is an apolitical, membership-based grassroots nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the country’s natural heritage while supporting sustainable local development in some of the most remote communities in the Horn of Africa. Though modest in size, ADN has built a strong reputation—both nationally and internationally—as a trusted partner in biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and community empowerment. The organization combines scientific research on Djibouti’s species and habitats with direct support for vulnerable rural communities living far from Djibouti City. Its credibility rests on transparency, rigorous independent audits, and a proven ability to bridge science, policy, and grassroots action. ADN’s mission is to contribute to national conservation efforts by combining scientific research, advocacy, and community engagement. Its vision is a Djibouti where people and nature coexist—with restored and protected sites, thriving species populations, and sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Their Challenges Djibouti’s biodiversity is under unprecedented strain. Climate change, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures are accelerating desertification, while warming seas threaten the country’s coral reefs and mangroves. Expanding urbanization, overgrazing, and unsustainable farming erode fragile habitats, leaving iconic species increasingly at risk. The endemic Djibouti francolin (Critically Endangered), Egyptian vulture (Endangered), Bankoualé palm (Vulnerable), Beira antelope (Vulnerable), and the Hawksbill turtle are emblematic of a wider crisis affecting countless species across Djibouti’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Poaching, human–wildlife conflict, and competition between livestock and wildlife further compound these threats—while overfishing pressures Djibouti’s marine systems and enforcement gaps limit the reach of existing protections. Their Approach ADN combines rigorous science with grassroots action. Working with researchers from Duke University and the California Academy of Sciences, ADN led the 2019 rediscovery of the Somali sengi—a mammal long thought lost to science and ultimately redescribed as a new genus (Galegeeska). In 2023, ADN contributed to the first confirmed sighting of cheetahs in Djibouti in more than three decades, and documented the country’s first national record of the Lesser kudu. Alongside these scientific breakthroughs, ADN champions the protection of the Critically Endangered Djibouti francolin and key marine species including whale sharks. The organization works directly with pastoralist communities around Lake Abbé in Dikhil and fishing communities at Arta Plage to develop sustainable livelihoods that reduce pressure on Djibouti’s most fragile ecosystems. Why They Need Your Help As a small organization carrying outsized responsibility for one of Africa’s least-studied biodiversity regions, ADN relies on international donors to fund the scientific monitoring, community engagement, and environmental education that have become its trademark. Through Conservation Allies, 100% of every donation flows directly to the program—to the field surveys, the community livelihood work around Lake Abbé and Arta Plage, and the protected area engagement that together determine whether Djibouti’s wildlife has a future.
The Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia
DONATE TO SCNL Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) Location Monrovia, Liberia Category Protected Area Management Scientific Research Wildlife Conservation Urgent Appeals None currently Date Founded 1986 Website scnlliberia.org Partner Qualifications IUCN Member Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact About SCNL The Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) is Liberia’s leading conservation organizations, working to protect the country’s globally significant forests, wildlife, and ecosystems. For nearly four decase, SCNL has delivered high-impact conservation in partnership with government, communities, and international networks including BirdLife International and IUCN, ensuring lasting benefits for both nature and people. Their Challenges Liberia’s forests are among West Africa’s last strongholds of biodiversity, but they are under increasing threat from mining, poaching, illegal logging, and weak enforcement capacity. At the same time, conservation efforts are constrained by limited long-term funding and growing pressure from communities seeking sustainable livelihoods. Without sustained investment, critical ecosystems and endangered species are at risk. Their Approach Your support enables SCNL to deliver proven, scalable solutions: Protect critical habitats through strengthened Protected Area management and anti-poaching efforts Support community-led conservation, empowering local people as stewards of their forests Advance climate solutions through carbon finance, agroforestry, and sustainable forest enterprises. Generate data for impact, using science to guide effective conservation action. SCNL works at the landscape scale, integrating conservation with livelihoods so that protected nature also improves lives. From community forestry to biodiversity monitoring systems, their approach is practical, inclusive, and results-driven. Why They Need Your Help By supporting SCNL, you are directly investing in the protection of one of Africa’s most important forest ecosystems while helping communities build resilient, sustainable futures. Your contribution directly protects wildlife, strengthens communities, and secures the future of Liberia’s natural heritage.
Save Mauritius’ Chamarel Forest
DONATE TO MWF Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Name Mauritian Wildlife Foundation Location: Mauritius Appeal Category: Land Purchase Endangered Species Ecosystem Restoration Key Species: Mauritius kestrel Pink pigeon Echo parakeet Challenges And Threats: Deforestation Loss of Habitat Threatened Species Actions: Reverse the Deforestation Process Restore Suitable Habitat for Threatened Species Protect Rare Plants The Challenge The Black River Gorges National Park is one of Africa’s most critical forests, hosting a remarkable number of endemic and endangered species. This UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve is home to the last remaining endemic birds of Mauritius, most of which rely heavily on this park for survival. Among its treasures is the Chamarel forest, praised by experts as the best tract of lowland and transitional rainforest in Mauritius, with exceptional biodiversity and natural regeneration under a nearly intact native canopy. However, Chamarel faces severe threats. With expanding transport infrastructure, the risk of deforestation and development looms over its privately owned areas. Securing 111 acres of this forest is vital for protecting its rich biodiversity. By establishing a conservation presence, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) hopes to inspire other landowners to support conservation efforts. Positioned alongside a major road connecting the national park to Chamarel village, this area also offers unique opportunities for ecotourism, education, and community engagement, bringing conservation closer to both locals and tourists. Urgent Solutions Your support can save 111 acres of the Chamarel forest, a sanctuary for Mauritius’ endangered species and plants. Every $13,000 permanently saves one acre, ensuring this land is protected from development and preserved for future generations. With your help, this project will: Restore Habitats: Rehabilitate degraded areas, remove invasive species, and improve ecosystems for birds, reptiles, and other wildlife. Protect Wildlife: Stabilize and grow populations of Mauritius’ endemic and endangered species. Engage Communities: Empower locals through education and conservation projects while fostering sustainable livelihoods. Promote Ecotourism: Create self-sustaining conservation efforts through eco-friendly tourism and green job opportunities. Why Your Donation Matters Together, we can secure this forest, protect its incredible biodiversity, and create a lasting legacy for both nature and the local community. Your donations will help create and maintain community-conserved areas spanning 1.58 million acres, safeguarding critical habitats and establishing ecological corridors to prevent inbreeding and extinction of endangered species like great apes and elephants. By supporting economic development, these funds will provide alternative livelihoods for impoverished communities, reducing their dependence on forest and wildlife resources. Education and training programs for local stakeholders will encourage sustainable practices and create opportunities beyond resource depletion. In addition, research and biomonitoring initiatives will help combat poaching and habitat destruction. Your contributions are vital in implementing long-term solutions to the current conservation challenges, ensuring a sustainable future for both wildlife and local communities. Partner Qualifications IUCN Member Verified Partner Legally Constituted Top Accountability Effective Impact Conservation Action Heroes
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
DONATE TO MWF Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) Location Vacoas, Mauritius Category Endangered Species Land Protection Ecosystem Restoration Urgent Appeals Save Mauritius’ Chamarel Forest Date Founded 1984 Website mauritian-wildlife.org Partner Qualifications IUCN Member Verified Partner Legally Constituted Effective Impact Mauritian Wildlife Foundation The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is dedicated to conserving the island’s unique biodiversity through over 20 active programs across Mauritius and Rodrigues. With a focus on species and ecosystem recovery, MWF manages critical conservation efforts such as the restoration of endangered bird populations like the Mauritius Kestrel, Pink Pigeon, and Echo Parakeet, and expanding the range of native reptiles through translocations. The foundation also works on restoring natural habitats, using an ecosystem recovery approach to improve conditions for endemic species. In addition to its fieldwork, MWF runs educational programs in Mauritius and Rodrigues, including community engagement and eco-tourism initiatives. The foundation partners with local and international organizations, researchers, and environmentalists to drive informed, collaborative conservation efforts and ensure the long-term sustainability of Mauritius’s fragile ecosystems. Their Challenges Mauritius and Rodrigues face significant ecological challenges despite their unique biodiversity. With 57% of plant species threatened, they rank third globally for the highest percentage of threatened flora. Habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species have been major contributors to the decline of native species since the island’s colonization. Over 100 species have already gone extinct, including the Dodo, a symbol of human-induced extinction. Currently, deforestation remains a primary concern, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and urban development, resulting in the loss of vital habitats. Invasive species continue to threaten native plants and wildlife, with efforts to address their impact being slow and costly. Soil degradation, exacerbated by monoculture farming and chemical use, also hinders recovery. Furthermore, climate change intensifies these challenges, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and altered rainfall patterns jeopardizing the future of the islands’ ecosystems. Their Approach To address ecological challenges, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation runs field conservation programs, promotes sustainable practices, and engages communities through education and outreach. Their Conservation Biologists protect endemic bird species through predator control, captive breeding, and habitat restoration. We also focus on propagating endangered plants and carry out species translocations and ecosystem reconstruction. Through workshops and training, we educate individuals and organizations on conservation, covering topics like invasive species, human-wildlife conflict, and sustainable land use. Our outreach includes community clean-ups, tree planting, and sustainability events, raising awareness and fostering involvement. We also use social media to share success stories and partner with schools, businesses, and government agencies to amplify our impact and encourage collective action for sustainability. Why They Need Your Help By contributing, you’re helping to create a sustainable future where natural habitats thrive, wildlife is protected, and communities actively engage in conservation. Every dollar makes a lasting impact on biodiversity in Mauritius and Rodrigues. 1. Habitat Restoration: Funds support reforestation and landscape rehabilitation, restoring habitats for wildlife and improving ecosystem health. 2. Wildlife Protection: Donations enable wildlife monitoring, providing essential tools, training, and support for field biologists to protect endangered species. 3. Community Engagement: Contributions empower local communities through education, conservation projects, and sustainable development initiatives that benefit both people and the environment. 4. Research and Advocacy: Donations fund vital research and advocacy efforts to shape policies and develop effective conservation strategies. Your support is essential in advancing our conservation work and safeguarding vital ecosystems.
Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST)
DONATE TO NEST Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST) Location Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria Category Community Support and Development Capacity Building and Training Ecosystem Restoration Urgent Appeals None currently Date Founded 1987 Website www.nestinteractive.org Partner Qualifications IUCN Member Legally Constituted Effective Impact Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team The Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST) is a leading non-profit organization focused on sustainable development in Nigeria. NEST’s mission is to improve how people interact with the environment by working with a nationwide membership to address pressing environmental issues through targeted projects and research. NEST conducts and promotes research on the Nigerian environment, providing vital insights and raising awareness about the impact of human activities. Their projects emphasize sustainable livelihoods, especially for disadvantaged communities, and advocate for policies that support the responsible use of natural resources. NEST’s efforts include publishing research, educating the public on environmental issues, and supporting grassroots actions to foster a sustainable future. NEST’s vision is to empower people at all levels to engage sustainably with the environment, contributing to global progress in sustainable development. Their Challenges Nigeria faces a range of environmental challenges, exacerbated by limited public awareness and weak policy enforcement. The country’s abundant natural resources are often depleted due to widespread poverty, limited environmental education, and insufficient waste management. Poor farming practices, deforestation from bush burning, and illegal mining activities contribute to soil erosion, habitat loss, and land degradation. In the south, oil pollution further threatens ecosystems, while desertification and occasional droughts impact the dry regions, worsening both environmental and economic conditions. Siltation of major rivers and poorly managed dams affect water navigation and quality. Along Nigeria’s 500-mile coastline, issues like coastal erosion, habitat destruction, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing strain marine ecosystems. Additionally, inadequate environmental impact assessments for projects continue to pose risks to natural habitats across the country. Their Approach Since 1989, NEST has championed environmental protection in Nigeria, organizing annual workshops and numerous events across the country’s diverse ecosystems. These gatherings address pressing issues like climate change, sustainable forestry, and community resilience, often in collaboration with partners like universities and international organizations. NEST has been pivotal in projects that educate, advocate, and foster community-based environmental stewardship, including the Canada-Nigeria Climate Change Capacity Project and studies on Community-Based Forest Management. Recent initiatives, like the Nigeria Climate Change Response Program (2020-2025), reflect their ongoing commitment to environmental advocacy, education, and policy influence. With over 35 years of impact, NEST continues to shape Nigeria’s response to critical environmental challenges. Why They Need Your Help NEST ensures every contribution drives measurable impact on essential conservation and community projects. With a proven track record of successful, evidence-based projects, NEST actively engages local communities in landscape restoration, such as the Moringa oleifera planting initiative in Yobe State to support pastoral livelihoods. Their transparent reporting practices provide assurance that donations are directed effectively to protect Nigeria’s environment and promote sustainable development.
Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF)
DONATE TO ERuDeF Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner ERuDeF (Environment and Rural Development Foundation) Location Cameroon Category Community Support & Development Land Purchases Capacity Building & Training Urgent Appeals Save The Great Apes and Elephants of Cameroon From Extinction Date Founded 1999 Website erudef.org Partner Qualifications IUCN Member Legally Constituted Effective Impact About ERuDeF ERuDeF (Environment and Rural Development Foundation), founded in 1999, is a leading Cameroonian nonprofit conservation organization focused on conserving biodiversity and protecting fragile ecosystems in Cameroon and across Africa. The organization prioritizes the conservation of IUCN Red List species through the creation of protected and locally conserved areas, utilizing ecosystem and landscape management approaches. ERuDeF’s work encompasses research, education, and community engagement, aimed at empowering local communities and fostering long-term environmental sustainability. They also run Cameroon’s first private biodiversity university, training future conservation leaders in nonprofit management and conservation practices. Their Challenges ERuDeF faces several significant challenges in their conservation landscapes. The regions they serve are marked by extremely low standards of living, suppressed economies, and high unemployment rates. Government bureaucracy, corruption, and poor governance, with a president in power since 1982, further complicate efforts. Key challenges include: Deforestation due to logging, land grabbing, and slash-and-burn agriculture Inbreeding and habitat fragmentation, impacting species connectivity Economic hardship and impoverished households Low environmental awareness and poor education levels Lack of market information systems to support local economies Influx of migrants and refugees from neighboring regions, including the Central African Republic, Sahel Africa, and Anglophone Cameroon Degraded soil fertility and destruction of ecosystem services Increased wildlife poaching and bushmeat sales Chronic underfunding of field projects and limited resources These challenges make conservation efforts more complex, but ERuDeF continues to work towards overcoming them through community engagement, education, and sustainable development. Their Approach ERuDeF’s conservation model is centered around functional landscapes, using both landscape- and ecosystem-based approaches. These core conservation landscapes focus on: Lebialem Highlands – Conservation of Cross River Gorillas, Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzees, and African Forest Elephants. Mt. Bamboutos – Restoration of ecosystems and conservation of rare birds, amphibians, and plants. Nlonako-Muanenguba Mountains – Preservation of Goliath Frogs and chimpanzees. Gulf of Guinea Islands – Marine and island biodiversity conservation. Eastern Cameroon Corridor – Conservation of Western Lowland Gorillas, Central Chimpanzees, and African Forest Elephants. Lake Chad Basin and Freshwater Landscapes – Protection of freshwater and riparian species. In each landscape, ERuDeF conducts research on key species to assess their status and distribution. They then propose conservation areas to the Cameroonian government, collaborating to establish these protected zones. To increase community involvement, ERuDeF supports sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and environmental education. They also promote cooperative development, microcredit systems, and cottage industries to secure economic benefits for local communities. Additionally, ERuDeF emphasizes education for sustainable development, including wildlife management, protection of water catchments, soil health management, and addressing the bushmeat trade. Why They Need Your Help Donations are urgently needed to prevent the decimation of over 700 gorillas trapped in Deng Deng National Park and the Lebialem Highlands due to inbreeding and habitat destruction caused by logging, hunting, and the influx of migrants. Without immediate support, these critical populations are at risk. Your contributions will help create protected areas and ecological corridors, provide sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and support training and capacity building for indigenous groups. Donations will also fund research, publications, education initiatives, and the development of ecotourism and local conservation management systems, ensuring long-term sustainability.