Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRCC)
Restoration and sustainable management of degraded habitats in Nigeria through community capacity-building and tree planting.








Description
Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRCC) is a Nigerian nongovernmental organization founded in 2001 and active in the Akwa Ibom State, in Southern Nigeria, and in the Niger delta. These regions include tropical forests, river areas and coastal habitats, and are home to several indigenous groups and a rich fauna and flora, threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
TRCC works closely with the communities, building capacity and implementing pilot projects for forest conservation and sustainable resource use, together with national agencies and international organisations. Their work topics are sustainable agriculture, environmental resources conservation, community health and indigenous resources preservation. Focused on practical approaches, they also do participatory surveys to e.g. identify data for conservation planning or to create alternative livelihoods for specific groups, such as loggers or hunters/poachers.
The conservation work covers both inland and coastal habitats. It targets several sensitive species, such as endemic monkey species, sea turtles or the West Africa manatee. TRCC's approach usually includes: education activities with the general public; community engagement and capacitation to alleviate human pressure, promote sustainable agro-forestry and create alternative livelihood options; and planting of indigenous (multipurpose) tree species to restore and reconnect degraded habitats.
Two highlighted projects include the "Niger Delta Mangrove Restoration Project" and the "Restoration and sustainable management of Ikpa River Basin/wetlands in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria”.
The "Restoration and sustainable management of Ikpa River Basin/wetlands in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria” aims to plant 20'000 stands of indigenous trees within this area to stabilize and ‘bridge-up’ fragmented habitat patches. The Ikpa River Basin covers a perennial rainforest that drains catchment area of 516.5km2, 14.8% (76.5km2) of which is prone to annual flooding. Besides its diverse flora, it is also one of the few sites in Nigeria with a representation of important primates, such as the endangered Sclater’s Guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri, an endemic monkey) and the Red-capped Mangabey (Cercacebusforgustus). It also has diverse and unique populations of Grey African Parrots, alligators, short-suited crocodiles, monitor lizards, tortoise and turtles.
For afforestation with indigenous plant species, the overall impact will be positive for the apes (extended corridors) and for the community (Non-timber Forest Products). In addition, planting of "economic" trees (such as fruit trees) will improve the habitats and increase food availability for the community by providing fruits, forage for livestock, etc. As in other projects. additional activities include capacity-building among the locals land users in conservation practices and development of livelihood alternatives among wood harvesters: agro-forestry, organic farming and snail farming.