In 2024, the NGO Conservation Justice, in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Forests and other international players, conducted a vast environmental education campaign in Gabon. With more than 7,350 pupils educated in schools and local communities trained in the management of human-wildlife conflicts, the organisation is strengthening its commitment to the conservation of natural resources and the fight against environmental crime.
In 2024, the NGO Conservation Justice established itself as a key player in the preservation of biodiversity in Gabon. With the support of the Ministry of Water and Forests and partners such as Space for Giants (SFG) and the European Union, the organisation carried out large-scale awareness-raising campaigns in the departments of Mvoung, Mulundu and Lopé.
As part of the Koumameyong and Ndangui Wildlife Brigades, more than 7,350 schoolchildren were educated in a number of schools. The aim of these campaigns, which focus on environmental education, is to give young people the knowledge they need to protect Gabon’s ecosystems and endangered species.
According to Léa Coralie Moussavou, Community Education and Environmental Awareness Officer at Conservation Justice: ‘The aim is to improve the long-term preservation of wildlife and protected species by raising awareness among the younger generation of the importance of ecosystems and the threats they face’. Topics covered included the importance of local ecosystems, endangered and fully protected species in Gabon, and practical steps to protect the environment.
These campaigns are part of a strategy aimed at training young people to be committed and aware of the challenges of biodiversity.
Supporting local communities in the face of human-wildlife conflict
In addition to its work in schools, Conservation Justice has also raised awareness of the human-wildlife conflict in local communities (CHF). With the support of the NGO Space for Giants, the organisation has trained local people to: write applications for electric fences, maintain the fences, understand the allocation processes, and install and use mobile electric fences.
These initiatives have been particularly beneficial for the villages located around the certified Concessions Forestières sous Aménagement Durable (CFAD). By incorporating practical solutions to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife, Conservation Justice is helping to stabilise relations between communities and their environment.
A promising sub-regional partnership
In 2024, Conservation Justice entered into a new partnership with the Belgian NGO Nature+ as part of the NaturAfrica TRIDOM programme. Funded by the European Union, this sub-regional project guarantees the continuity of the activities of the Koumameyong and Ndangui Wildlife Brigades for the next three years.
These actions illustrate Conservation Justice’s holistic approach, combining education, community engagement and strategic partnerships to strengthen the fight against environmental crime and protect biodiversity. At a time when Gabon is facing numerous environmental challenges, this collective mobilisation is a sustainable solution for preserving the country’s natural resources.
Fanta Mabo
