| By Akelachi Kejeh
In the dense Afi forests of Cross River State, Nigeria, a silent crisis is unfolding - one that threatens not only the towering trees but also the delicate balance of life within them. For many endangered bat species, these forests and the caves nestled within, provide critical habitats.
Yet, wildfires - often unintentionally sparked by nearby farming activities - continue to encroach on this biodiversity haven. These fires scorch the landscape, leaving behind barren patches where lush forests once stood, displacing countless fauna, including SMACON’s conservation focus: the small mammals that play such crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem health.
Wildfire destroys forest vegetation, threatening the survival of many endangered species.
(© SMACON)
At the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation (SMACON), we are working tirelessly to safeguard these endangered species, especially bats, that are at the heart of our mission. These animals, vital for pollination and insect control, are increasingly under threat from habitat destruction. Wildfires pose one of the gravest dangers, destroying not only the forests but also may disturb caves where these bats find shelter. Without intervention, their survival - and that of countless other species that share this habitat - remains uncertain.
But there is hope.
Thanks to our Early-warning Wildfire Prediction and Prevention Program, Afi Mountain has remained wildfire-free for two seasons. This success comes from our work with five local communities around Afi Mountain, where we’ve trained and equipped 50 Forest Guardians. These dedicated rangers serve as a first line of defense, working hard to stop wildfires before they start.
A forest guardian implementing fire tracing as part of our fire prevention activities.
(© SMACON)
Seedlings of Hope
While forests have an incredible ability to heal themselves, the damage caused by severe fires can sometimes be too great for natural recovery alone. Without intervention, these once-vibrant forests bear the risk of transforming into shrubs and grasslands, especially if replanting efforts don't begin within two to three years of the fire.
Recognising the urgent need for action beyond predicting and preventing these forest fires, SMACON has embarked on a forest restoration initiative with the aim of propagating native tree species for reforestation.
The first step in this restoration project is seed collection and at the heart of this process lies our host communities, especially women who know the forest. Women from nearby communities, supervised by SMACON’s field officers, have become the stewards of this project as they gather seeds from indigenous trees that once thrived in these forests. Indigenous species such as Termilania ivorensis (Black afara), Termilania superba (White afara), Brachystegia eurycoma (Achi), Diospyros crassiflora (Ebony) among others are handpicked by these women and readied for planting in the nursery.
Ms. Elizabeth Usen, a SMACON volunteer, with community-based staff and community women planting seed in the nursery (© SMACON)
In February, we launched our reforestation nursery, designed to regrow the trees that once provided shelter, food, and security to the bats and other wildlife of this region. Our nursery is more than just a collection of young trees. It symbolizes resilience and renewal, a chance for these endangered ecosystems to regenerate, and for the bats to return to their roosts.
The goal is to raise 10,000 new tree seedlings in this nursery; each seedling a promise to the forests, to the wildlife, and to the people who depend on them.
Forest restoration is a slow process. The trees we plant today may take years to grow tall, but the effort begins with these first few steps. Over time, as these seedlings take root and mature, they will help restore the canopy that provides shade, shelter, and sustenance to countless species, including our endangered bats.
Together, with the help of dedicated individuals, both from our team at SMACON, the communities we work with and our government partners at the Cross River Forestry Commission, we remain committed to not only restoring the forests but also ensuring a safer, more sustainable environment for both the people and the wildlife. Many thanks to Whitley Fund for Nature, Future for Nature, Pangolin Crises Fund for supporting our fire intervention program.
Picture of our nursery housing seedlings of native tree species.
(© SMACON)
By collaborating with us, you have the opportunity to increase the capacity of our nursery and help us achieve our goal of planting 10,000 new tree seedlings.
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