The movement that led to the formation of SCNL began in 1976, when the Liberian government created the Forestry Development Authority as a means of safeguarding the nation's biodiversity, especially its forest cover, which remains the largest forested region in West Africa today. Alexander Peal, who trained as a forestry expert before becoming a football star, realized the potential of this fledgling organization and helped the agency to organize a Wildlife and National Parks division, which he led from 1977 to 1990. During this time, he was instrumental in creating the Sapo National Park, Liberia's only national park, which was officially granted national park status in 1983. Peal went on to forge partnerships between Liberia and the World Conservation Union and the World Wildlife Fund, which led to Liberia's signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
In 1986, Peal and fellow conservationists founded SCNL as a means of supporting crucial conservation efforts by the Liberian government. Through Peal's image as a national sports hero, SCNL was able to promote conservation education throughout Liberia, and the Society emerged as the nation's only non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental protection. As the Liberian civil war erupted in 1989, SCNL was forced to postpone its activities within the nation, as Peal and fellow staff members were forced to flee the country to avoid becoming high-profile targets. In exile in the United States and elsewhere, SCNL members watched as much of their work was dismantled by the chaos engulfing their nation. Peal, determined to keep environmental protection at the forefront of the national agenda, founded the Society for the Renewal of Nature Conservation in Liberia in 1992, uniting SCNL members with the promise of keeping their message alive. Visiting Liberia even as the civil war spiraled out of control, Peal and fellow conservationists were unable to officially return home until 1998, when Peal resumed leadership of SCNL and jumpstarted efforts within the country once more.
Since restarting operations in 1998, SCNL has been widely recognized for their essential role in the protection of the Liberian environment. Among the awards and recognitions bestowed upon the organization is the Goldman Environmental Prize, awarded to Alexander Peal in 2000, as well as recognition as an official affiliate to major conservation organizations such as Birdlife International, Flora and Fauna International, and the Zoological Society of Philadelphia.
SCNL works closely with the above organizations to ensure that both Liberian citizens and international visitors understand the critical risks facing Liberia's environment
as well as the important steps being taken to alleviate those risks.
Gbarpolu citizens welcome new conservation efforts through "Across The River" project
The Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) recently held a two day Sensitization and Awareness work shop with citizens of Gbarpolu County in western Liberia to introduce the Across the River Project a trans-boundry Peace Park for Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Presenting the overview of the project, the project manager Mr. Asukile Kajuni highlighted the important role Liberia has to play in order for the conservation efforts of the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem to succeed. Liberia accounts for 43% of the remaining Upper Guinea Forest so the need for citizens to take care and manage their remaining forest is very highth. This was said at the work shop held at the conference room of the Administrative building of the local government of Gbarpolu County from February 25-26, 2010.
Conference participants
Mr. Kajuni further said that with this higher percentage, Liberia as a Country has a greater responsibility than other countries in the West African sub-region to support programmes that enhance the protection of forests and forest resources.
The project manager further informed workshop participants of the interdependence of people and the environment and how other living resources like birds and wildlife depend on the forest just like humans and everyone needs the support of the other to survive. He encouraged the local community to help protect Birds because they are as important to us as other wild animals. He gave an example of the relationship between and the importance of Birds to the survival of humans in the transfer of information from one generation to another and the dispersal of seeds for the continued existence of forests , flowers and trees which in turn are important for the sustenance of our lives. He implored the significance of trees for use in the traditional medicines and the beautification of our compounds.. Finally, he said that without Birds there are some trees we will never see because those trees need birds to grow and therefore protection of birds will ensure the protection of the habitat and conservation of our natural resources and setting the balance between development and conservation.
From right to left: Regional forester Joseph Tally, Development Supervisor Gertrude T. Lamin, FDA Protected Area Manager Morris Kamara, and "Across The River" Project Manager Mr. Kajuni.
Speaking at the opening of the work shop, the Superintendent of the county Mrs. Gertrude T Lamine encouraged the citizens to take advantage of the knowledge and experience that they would get from the work shop and use it to take care and manage their forest. Expressing the willingness and support of her county and its people to the project, Mrs. Lamine further stressed that the idea of conservation was new to the people and encouraged the organizers to have more of these workshops to remind local communities of their obligations in meeting the challenges ahead because “the issue of global warming was no more a national issue but a global one” she said. She also called on the Chiefs, Women leaders and Youth representative of the district to take seriously the deliberations at the work shop and pay keen attention to what was been said because they are under obligation to go and explain to their citizens about the deliberations and any new ideas that they will be learning during the workshop to ensure all communities not only benefit from “ Across the River” but see interventions as means to adapt their day to day livelihood operations to comply with the requirements of improved environmental conservation.
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