Mission
The conservation of biological diversity through the protection of birds and natural habitats, as well as the promotion of wildlife study and enjoyment for the benefit of people.
Key Activities
IBA project: The Society is taking part in the African IBA (Important Bird Areas) project and its objective is to identify and document key areas for biodiversity, using birds as indicators and to promote conservation actions on these sites. This project is executed in collaboration with BirdLife International and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MINEF).
Species Work: The Society also carries out studies on the distribution and ecology on some bird species of particular interest. Examples include the status and distribution of Bamenda Apalis in Cameroon. Studies have also been initiated on the ecology of two threatened species; Bannerman's Turaco and Banded Wattle-eye. Awareness campaign focussing on Grey necked Picarthartes via traditional Chiefs around Mbam minkom- Kala forests has begun.
Excursions: Regular monthly organisation of excursions for society members, pupils and secondary schools and foreign visitors. These excursions usually take place within the outskirts of the Yaounde area leading to an update of the checklist of the region.
Publication of "Cameroon Birdline":
Regular publication of the quarterly magazine "Cameroon Birdline" which highlights the various activities undertaken by the Society, briefs from different partner countries around Africa as well as the state of the advancement of the IBA project in Cameroon. Also included are games within prizes for winners.
Education and awareness raising
Presently the Society focuses its environmental education programme on schools around Yaounde metropolis. Pupils of primary and secondary schools are taken out for ornithological walks and initiated into birding. This is achieved through their nature clubs - some of which have become local branches of the CBCS. These students and their teachers now participate in the Society's monthly excursion.
Capacity Building
Frequent organisation of training programmes open to universities graduate students of Cameroon as well as staff of Ministry of Environment and forestry (MINEF) and partner organisations like WWF, Campo, Mount Cameroon Project, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Wildlife School of Garoua.
Recent Achievements
- Through the Environmental Education Support Publications (EESP) initiative CBCS have continued to publish and distribute literature widely to the general public, schools and government and NGOs. These include the journal Walia , the magazine Agazen as well as other printed materials, a poster on the Wild Ass, produced in collaboration with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organization (EWCO), and a Resource Book for schools, addressing nine crucial environmental issues.
- Assisted in the organisation and running of environmental protection clubs through the School's Environmental Education Project (SEEP).
- Shoa Robit Nursery project, part of the Plant Locally and Nurture Trees (PLANT) programme, produced in excess of 69,000 seedlings of native species for re-vegetation projects.
- Commenced a project on Biodiversity Conservation in Ancient Churches and Monastery Yards of Ethiopia, funded by the Darwin Initiative.
BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organizations working together for the world's birds and people. |