Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRCC)

Project title

Restoration and sustainable management of degraded habitats in Nigeria through community capacity-building and tree planting.

Project Teaser

Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRCC) is a Nigerian NGO active in the southeastern rainforest region of the country and in the Niger delta. It works closely with the local communities, building capacity and implementing pilot projects focused on sustainable resource use and habitat restoration. Besides developing alternative livelihood options compatible with conservation efforts, it also conducts tree planting work with multipurpose native species, and develops educational activities with the communities and schools.  

Active countries

Key Figures

Project Results

Up to 3'000 trees planted in the Ikpa River Basin area, with a total of 20'000 planned. In the Niger Delta mangrove area, 2'000 trees planted out of a total of 100'000 stands planned.

Vegetation type

Mangrove plants and multipurpose native species, including economic trees: Wild mango (Irvingia gabonensis), African breadfruit (Treculia africana), African Star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum), African pear (Dacryodes edulis), Guava (Psidium guajava), Kola nut (Cola nitida), Avocado pear, etc.

Climate conditions

The area is typically tropical, with a rainy and a dry season. The rainy season lasts from April to October and is characterized by heavy thunderstorms, while the dry season covers the remaining months.

Funding Sources

Funding Government
10%
Funding Internal
10%
Funding Religious groups
0%
Funding International Aid
70%
Funding Private Sponsoring
0%
Funding Inhabitants
10%

Contacts

Organisation
Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRCC)
Organisation contact
Ikponke Nkanta, Project Manager
Phone
+2348067596435
Contact E-mail
info@tropicalconservationcentre.org
Address
41 Oron Road
Postal code
234
Place
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Country
Nigeria

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”.

Niger Delta Mangrove Restoration Project aims to restore degraded portions of the mangrove swamps, planting up to 100,000 stands of mangrove trees. The Niger Delta mangroves, together with the creeks and rivers, cover an area of about 1'900km2, are considered a global biodiversity hotspot and are a major source of food and livelihood for about 30 million people (over 17% of Nigeria's population).
The mangrove trees plays a critical role in coastal protection and climate change mitigation, because of it's action as a physical barrier and the high carbon sequestration potential of these aquatic plants ( also called "blue carbon"). Other ecosystem services provided by this unique environment include flood control and groundwater refilling, biodiversity reservoir and nursery, provision of fuelwood, cultural values, etc. Unfortunately, this unique ecosystem is in decline and has been totally lost at the verge since mangrove forests are converted to farmlands and the trees are cut for timber, fuel, house construction and so on. Consequently, many coastal communities in the Niger Delta are losing their primary livelihoods due to increased vulnerability to floods and loss of resources.

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.

Partnerships & Collaborations

sustinova logo

Sustinova is a non-profit organisation based in Zurich, Switzerland, and devoted to promoting Sustainability in the NGO area.

As a partner, Sustinova provides operational support to Reforestation World in its public activities.

ETH Zurich - Chair of Ecosystem Management

The Chair of Ecosystem management at the ETH Zürich organised the Latsis Symposium ETH 2018 “Scaling-up forest Restoration”, on June 6-7 & 9, 2018.

Reforestation World collaborated with the link to NGOs, practitioners and others stakeholders in the field of forest restoration.