Nature for Mangroves
Region
Africa
Country
Sierra Leone
Flyway
East Atlantic flyway
Initiative
WLI Africa
About
Name of organisation
Nature for Mangroves
Funding support
Grant
Number of staff
6
Number of visitors per year
2023: 100
2024: 220
2025: 300
Overall aims of the centre
A greener, more resilient Sierra Leone where thriving mangrove forests protect coastal communities, support biodiversity, and contribute to a sustainable future led by empowered local communities.
Description of the centre
Region: Africa
Country/territory: Sierra Leone
Type of wetland: Urban
Area sqm: 2.950
Habitats and species:
Site description: This site is the drowned estuary of the Rokel or Seli River. It is bounded to the north by a coastal plain indented by creeks, and to the south by the mountainous Western Area peninsula. At the point of entry into the Atlantic Ocean, the estuary widens to about 11 km and abruptly deepens along its southern shore to form a natural harbour (the third-largest in the world). The estuary is lined by 110 ha of mud and sand foreshore, backed by mangrove, and 1,800 ha of intertidal mudflat and muddy sandflats. The predominant mangrove tree species are Rhizophora sp., Avicennia africana, Laguncularia sp. and Conocarpus sp., and these cover a total of 34,234 ha (19% of the total area of mangrove in Sierra Leone).
Featured programmes:
Major environmental and conservation programs in the Sierra Leone River Estuary and nearby estuarine systems focus heavily on mangrove restoration, climate resilience, environmental education, awareness-raising and sustainable community livelihoods.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
The main work areas surrounding environmental communication, mangrove restoration, environmental education, community centre participation, and awareness-raising focus on empowering local communities and youth to become long-term environmental stewards and to protect nature
Top three successes
- Innovative Habitat Restoration & Livelihood Protection
- Mobilising Youth Leadership & Environmental Awareness
- Climate Impact Tracking & Blue Carbon Monitoring
Top three challenges
- Rising Sea Levels (Flooding)
- Extreme Weather Events increase demand for Livelihood opportunity
- Deforestation,Waste contribute to the pollution and degradation of restored site
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information, Producing written materials, Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Managing / creating habitat, Running a visitor center
Participation
Working with disabled people, Engaging hard-to-reach groups, Engaging young people, Engaging the local community, Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education, Delivering adult education, Working with primary schools, Lobbying / running campaigns, Working with secondary schools, Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness, PR and marketing, Running effective administration, Health and safety, Fund-raising, Project planning
Contact
16 Main Peninsula Road Sussex, Freetown Peninsula Freetown, Western Area 232
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