A breakthrough year!
Dear Friends,
We’re thrilled to announce that 2022 has been a breakthrough year for BCI! Thanks to your dedicated support, we have made major strides toward securing long-term, sustainable protection for the Bonobo Peace Forest.
This progress couldn’t come at a better time. Over the past two decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has lost more than 65,000 square miles of tree cover, roughly the area of New York and New Jersey combined. Deforestation has surged over the last two years.
The Congo rainforest is the only home of endangered bonobos. It is vital in mitigating climate change and in providing clean air and water for the entire planet. By working together, we can ensure that the bonobos and their forest survive—and thrive!—for generations to come.
This progress couldn’t come at a better time. Over the past two decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has lost more than 65,000 square miles of tree cover, roughly the area of New York and New Jersey combined. Deforestation has surged over the last two years.
The Congo rainforest is the only home of endangered bonobos. It is vital in mitigating climate change and in providing clean air and water for the entire planet. By working together, we can ensure that the bonobos and their forest survive—and thrive!—for generations to come.
Cobain of the Nkokoalongo group
The Power of Teamwork
Bonobos are renowned for their cooperative society. Following the bonobos’ example, we have always believed that collaboration is the key to succeeding in our mission.
More than twenty years ago, BCI and local Congolese partners developed the concept of the Bonobo Peace Forest: a network of community-managed reserves in the bonobo habitat, addressing conservation and humanitarian needs simultaneously. Since then, we have secured official protection for nearly nine million acres of land. But this is just the beginning.
More than twenty years ago, BCI and local Congolese partners developed the concept of the Bonobo Peace Forest: a network of community-managed reserves in the bonobo habitat, addressing conservation and humanitarian needs simultaneously. Since then, we have secured official protection for nearly nine million acres of land. But this is just the beginning.
AMAR's DRC coordinator (second from right) with BCI team
This year, we have teamed up with some incredible partners in order to take the Bonobo Peace Forest to the next level.
- With Carbon Streaming Corporation, Future Carbon, and Fanfare Verte, we are developing sustainable support for the Bonobo Peace Forest through REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) carbon credit financing.
- The Nature Conservancy is supporting our efforts to officially protect the Lilungu forest through an Africa Forest Carbon Catalyst grant.
- We have also formed two new public/private partnerships with the ICCN (Insitut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) for delegated management of the Kokolopori and Sankuru reserves.
- AMAR (Action Massive Rurale), a Congolese NGO, is galvanizing community engagement to prepare for REDD+.
2022 Bonobo Peace Forest Highlights
Here is some of the progress that you have helped make possible:
Sankuru Nature Reserve
Together with AMAR and our local partners, we have engaged more than 400 villages throughout the reserve who wish to participate in the REDD+ project. Sankuru communities and the provincial government have responded enthusiastically to this new opportunity. Currently, we have twelve teams in the field who are working with local people to establish fair and cooperative organizational structures for the next phase of conservation and community development work.
Pictured above: one of many community consultations for the Sankuru REDD+ project
Pictured above: one of many community consultations for the Sankuru REDD+ project
Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve
REDD+ activities are also getting underway in Kokolopori. Additionally, our partnership with scientists from Harvard University continues to provide invaluable information about bonobos and their behaviors. Meanwhile, actor and activist Ashley Judd and the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) are helping to establish a new maternity ward in the health clinic.
Pictured above: BCI partners with Harvard scientists at Kokolopori
Pictured above: BCI partners with Harvard scientists at Kokolopori
Lilungu
The Nature Conservancy is partnering with BCI to help preserve this critical region within the bonobo habitat. Lilungu is a haven for bonobo protection that links a vital biodiversity corridor. Together with our community partners, we are scaling up conservation activities and working to secure official protection for the forest.
Pictured above: BCI advisor, Dr. Mbangi Mulavwa (right) meets with the administrator of the Ikela territory about the Lilungu project
Pictured above: BCI advisor, Dr. Mbangi Mulavwa (right) meets with the administrator of the Ikela territory about the Lilungu project
Likongo, Lingomo, Nkokolombo
Together, these three connected forests are known as “LiLiKo” and we call their conservation leaders our Three Musketeers. LiLiKo communities are working together on participatory mapping to determine boundaries of their forests, the next important step in their protection.
Pictured above: Jean Gaston Ndombasi leading a community meeting at Likongo earlier this year
Pictured above: Jean Gaston Ndombasi leading a community meeting at Likongo earlier this year
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2022 Slideshow
Enjoy a slideshow of this year's activities in the Bonobo Peace Forest!IMG_2891cr.jpgPistache of the Ekalakala groupKokolopori Bonobo Research ProjectBCI team with Harvard researchersBCI partners with Harvard researchers at KokoloporiBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20220907-WA0002cr.jpgCommunity consultations in SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeAMAR + BCI teamSally Coxe and BCI team kick off new partnership with Philippe Nzita of AMAR (second from right)Bonobo Conservation InitiativeDSCN5296cr.jpgBonobo Health Clinic in Kokolopori stocked with suppliesBonobo Conservation InitiativeLilungu trip 2022-3cr.jpgBCI team on the "road" to LilunguBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20221104-WA0019cr.jpgDr. Mbangi Mulavwa and bonobo trackers during recent training at LilunguBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG_20220104_111817_6cr.jpgJean Gaston Ndombasi leading a community meeting at LikongoBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG_0253 (2).JPGKokolopori trackers sporting new rain gear and packsBonobo Conservation InitiativeDSCN5278 (2).JPGBonobo Health Clinic staff ready to welcome patientsBonobo Conservation InitiativeCobain of the Nkokoalongo groupCobain of the Nkokoalongo groupKokolopori Bonobo Research ProjectDSCN5196cr.jpgConvoy of supplies on their way to Kokolopori during UNFPA missionBonobo Conservation InitiativeDSCN5195cr.jpgMotorcycles are a primary means of transport throughout the Bonobo Peace ForestBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20221104-WA0007cr.jpgDr. Mbangi Mulavwa (right) meets with the administrator of the Ikela territory to prepare for new conservation activities in LilunguBonobo Conservation InitiativeDSCN5200cr.jpgCosmas Bofangi, one of our Three Musketeers, is conducting participatory mapping at LingomoBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG_20211223_175109_2cr.jpgRiver crossing on the way to KokoloporiBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG_20211224_163648_5cr.jpgBCI agronomist Marcel Falay on the road to KokoloporiBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG_2890cr.jpgCobain and Toto hanging outKokolopori Bonobo Research ProjectIMG-20221003-WA0004cr.jpgAMAR team arrives at Lodja before embarking on community consultations in SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20220819-WA0015cr.jpgBCI team getting ready to hit the road to consult with hundreds of communities in SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20220909-WA0003cr.jpgOur teams encounter tough road conditions while traveling to remote villages in SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20220923-WA0007cr.jpgTeamwork and quick thinking help our teams overcome obstacles on their mission in SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20221028-WA0001cr.jpgBCI and AMAR representatives with the customary chief of the Okale groupement in SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG_2892cr.jpgEkalakala bonobos swinging through the treesKokolopori Bonobo Research ProjectIMG-20221012-WA0002cr.jpgLocal people mark the boundaries of their forest during participatory mapping at LikongoJean Gaston NdombasiIMG-20221028-WA0000cr.jpgBCI team member Bonfils Omba (center) with village representatives in the Ndjembo groupement of SankuruBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20221027-WA0001cr.jpgGroupement chiefs in Sankuru sign on to participate in the REDD+ projectBonobo Conservation InitiativeTracker Collage 4.jpgDedicated trackers follow three groups of habituated bonobos in LilunguBonobo Conservation InitiativeIMG-20221219-WA001cr.jpgThis year, BCI welcomed Christina Ellis as our new country director in the DRC. Shown here with Philippe Nzita of AMAR, Christina brings extensive experience in community conservation program management and has been instrumental in coordinating our field activities.IMG-20211018-WA0002-cr.jpgThank you for supporting the Bonobo Peace Forest!Valérie Beraud
Our Most Valuable Teammate
While the support of our partner organizations is a huge boost, we still need our most valuable teammate—you! By helping protect bonobos and their irreplaceable habitat in the Congo Basin, you are helping protect all life on Earth.
Thank you for all you do to help save our sister species. Please show your support for bonobos by donating at donate.bonobo.org. Your partnership makes all the difference.
With deepest gratitude,
Sally Jewell Coxe
President
P.S. Did you know that BCI celebrates its 25th anniversary next year? Follow @bonobodotorg on social media and stay tuned for exciting special events!
Thank you for all you do to help save our sister species. Please show your support for bonobos by donating at donate.bonobo.org. Your partnership makes all the difference.
With deepest gratitude,
Sally Jewell Coxe
President
P.S. Did you know that BCI celebrates its 25th anniversary next year? Follow @bonobodotorg on social media and stay tuned for exciting special events!