Biodiversity Learning Centre

Biodiversity Conservation And Renewable Energy Learning Centre

EFA has secured a prime location at the intersection of three eco-systems: rainforest, mangrove and beach, just outside of Freetown, Sierra Leone, to build a Biodiversity Conservation and Renewable Energy Learning Centre.

By the end of 2011 and with the support of local, regional and international partners, the Learning Centre will be established in order to promote learning about biodiversity conservation and renewable energy in West Africa. The facility will be an epicentre for environmental protection and management in region.

With Climate Change and related environmental issues becoming more prominent in the agendas of governments and their partners, the need for information dissemination to all sectors of society is more important now than ever before.

This, as well as evidence of the growing pressure on the Upper Guinea Forest (UGF) and natural resources in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, inspired EFA to create a focal point for conservation education and environmental awareness. Environmental, economic and social issues affecting the Upper Guinean Forest including all of the region’s protected areas, will be showcased in the centre using interactive displays.

In order to lead by example, the building will be a showcase of eco-friendly design and will be largely run on solar energy. As well as the physical structure and landscaping work serving as an exhibit of ‘Green Architecture’, the centre will be equipped with a wide range of educational resources – books, posters, pictures, audio-visual equipment, solar equipment for demonstrations and conferencing / plenary facilities to cater for the widest possible range of groups and audiences, including schools, universities and local community people. The centre will provide school and university workday facilities such as audio and visual equipment for workshops, training programmes, conservation symposiums and related seminars, a library, internet services, interactive educational walking trails and recreational facilities. On site there will be a permanent tree nursery with a focus on indigenous tree species and a herbarium for medicinal and ornamental plants. There is the added possibility for the centre to be a start point for national guided ecotourism tours or local guided ‘ecosystem discovery’ tours.

The centre is one component of the “Upscaling and Promoting Biodiversity Conservation and Community Livelihoods in the Upper Guinea Forest Ecosystem” project which is largely financed by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). Other partners are the Environmental Forum for Action (ENFORAC) and the Conservation of the Western Area Peninsula Forest Project (WAPFoR). Architects

The aim is to present the environmental challenges from across the region in meaningful ways to various audiences; colleges, universities, community groups, NGOs, and the public. Based on research and expertise from across West Africa it will present solutions to these environmental challenges. As a renewable energy resource it will also provide up to date information and training on relevant renewable energy technologies. without Borders are offering their services to design the building. Potential partners include; The Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency (SLEPA), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Netherlands (IUCN NL), IUCN Species Commission, Gola Forest Programme, Birdlife International, Fauna and Flora International, Television for the Environment (TVE-UK), US Fish and Wildlife Services, and others.

EFA kindly requests support for this initiative. We seek partnership with interested organisations. We also need good ideas, relevant contacts, donations of educational resources and equipment as well as monetary donations towards the construction, set-up, development and running of the centre. We welcome donations of materials; films, photos, pictures, booksposters, computers, projectors, solar panels, and display materials as well as your expertise and advice! All inputs are welcome

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