Everyday biodiversity is confronted with multiple aggressions due to human activities. Despite the many efforts made so far, we are still witnessing the disappearance of certain species. In Benin, the Mono Department has been for a long time neglected area of biodiversity conservation although it contains threatened species. Located in the Mono department, the city of Lokossa, that shelters Fongba quarry, has suffered significant loss of biodiversity due to human pressure. We are convinced that biodiversity sustainable conservation is not possible without the involvement of all actors, particularly youth. This justifies our project, which aims to strengthen the conservation of biodiversity in Lokossa through the involvement of the populations, particularly youth. To strengthen the understanding of biodiversity notion and its importance at Lokossa, we will conduct awareness campaigns in the city. An environmental education booklet will be designed, produced and distributed in schools and will serve as a basis for environmental education courses at local, national and regional levels. We will implement an environmental education program consisting of 6 lessons (theoretical, practical and excursion). Approximately 200 schoolchildren will participate in the program and will be ambassadors of biodiversity to their peers and parents.
Wildlife documented in Fongba quarry with the camera traps
2880 hours (4 months) of data were recorded. 45% of the detection were related to African Savanna Hare occurrence, 15% related to bird’s activities. Human activities occurred at a rate of 27% and 13% of the detection contain no information.
Read more
An awareness session with local people about Fongba quarry biodiversity
The session raised awareness to local people about the importance of biodiversity using a poster and the initiative of the Heidelberg Cement Group to celebrate Fongba quarry biodiversity.
Read more
Reforestation to celebrate the National Tree Day
The reforestation of the quarry and trees planting in the school and surroundings was carried out by the project team and the teachers of the school "La Différence". A total of 100 plants (Ceiba pentandra and Afzelia africana) were planted. The two species chosen are indigenous species that are very popular among the populations. Afzelia africana is an endangered species according to the Benin Red List and vulnerable according to the IUCN status.
Read more
Célébration of the International Day for Biological Diversity
The celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity was an opportunity for us to communicate about the Quarry Life Award competition, the wildlife of Fongba quarry, the Heildelberg Cement Group, the activities of our project and to present a communication on the theme: "Biodiversity and quarries, case study of Fongba quarry in Lokossa, Benin". A total of 15 participants, representatives of NGOs, youth organization platform, start-ups and young researchers took part in conference.
Read more
The butterflies, an important component of Fongba quarry biodiversity
The lesson related to butterfly helped to draw the attention of school children to this important group of wildlife of Fongba quarry. The life cycle of butterfly and the role they play in their ecosystems has been highlighted during the lesson. the emphasis activity was having the participants coloring butterfly drawings.
Read more
Butterfly survey at Fongba quarry
Butterflies nets were used to capture butterflies along 3 line transects of about 1 km. 11 different butterfly species have been captured.
Read more
A result of school children actions
The seeds planted by the children are growing. Parts of the samplings will be replanted in the school, in the town and other parts will be used to restore the Fongba quarry
Read more
Field observation of birds by shool children
The outdoor activity consists of bird watching in the schoolyard with binocular, identifying the birds specie observed with a field guide and listening and imitating the songs of birds.
Read more
The choir of nature: bird of Lokossa
The children were introduced the elements that characterize a bird (beak, feathers, paws, wings, flying, singing, etc,. We explained them bird importance in the ecosystem.
Read more
Seeds, Trees, Forests: protecting life on earth!
This lesson aims to teach children the importance of trees in the human wellbeing and the relationship between biodiversity conservation and forest protection. The necessity to plant trees have also been highlighted.
Read more
Wildlife census with camera traps
In order to document the diversity of wildlife species, especially the elusive animals, we installed camera trap in different habitat type of the Fongba quarry.
Read more
School education program first lesson: Lokossa town is habitat for many species
The first lesson introduce the schools children to the concept of ''biodiversity", the importance of biodiversity in human wellbeing, the necessity to preserve wildlife and its habitat with an emphasis on the sustainable use of biological resources. The childreen were very excited to discover that they were surrounded by a diversity of animal species and plants.
Read more
Bird survey
In order to write our education booklet and prepare the third lesson (The choir of the nature: Birds of Lokossa!) of our school education program, we conducted a bird survey at the Fongba quarry and surronding.
Read more
Project's activities planning with stakeholders
Our project aim to strength biodiversity conservation at Lokossa by involving population especially youth. In order to plan the project activities, we met Fongba quarry employees, local authorithies and schools directors.
Read more