Earlier this year, alumni of the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) joined the Rufford Foundation’s Learning Event in Yaoundé, Cameroon, designed to build conservation skills and develop strategic partnerships in the region.
“Attending Rufford’s Learning Event provided me with a unique opportunity to share my experience as a conservation communicator and boosted my self-confidence because I now realize I can develop conservation projects and have a greater impact on preserving biodiversity.” – Rowina Nguimbis, CLP alumna
A group of Learning Event participants during a field trip to the Mbalmayo National Forestry School © The Rufford Foundation
In March this year, two CLP alumni and Cameroonian conservationists, Laurelle Nkwemi and Rowina Nguimbis, were invited by the Rufford Foundation to join 21 other participants at a five-day Learning Event in Cameroon, where they enriched their project management and fundraising skills, and built invaluable peer networks and partnerships.
Laurelle and Rowina are both members of a CLP project team in Cameroon focused on conserving the Endangered goliath frog. Supported by a 2022 Future Conservationist Award and a 2023 Kate Stokes Memorial Award, the team has developed a local network of goliath frog ambassadors who protect these amphibians from poaching and raise awareness among local communities.
The goliath frog is threatened by poaching for food and habitat degradation © Cedrick Fogwan
The Rufford Learning Event aimed to strengthen local conservationists’ technical and professional skills in conservation project design, fundraising and partnership building, through technical training, field visits, and interactive peer-to-peer learning.
CLP was pleased to collaborate with Rufford on this opportunity, contributing to our mission of building the technical skills, professional networks, and confidence of early-career conservationists leading vital work in their own countries, like Laurelle and Rowina.
Technical skills training at the Learning Event © The Rufford Foundation
At the event, technical training sessions covered key topics including communications for conservation impact; the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) framework to strengthen project tracking and adaptive management; proposal writing techniques; and budget development.
During these sessions, Rowina delivered a training on communications and working with communities, allowing her to share her knowledge, receive feedback from peers, and practise public speaking.
Additionally, group work on project design fostered collaboration and the practical application of newly acquired skills, while participants delivered poster presentations and received one-on-one consultations with experts to share their experiences and gain guidance on their projects.
CLP alumna Rowina Nguimbis at the Learning Event © The Rufford Foundation
Finally, field trips to the Mbalmayo National Forestry School (a key institution in forestry education and research) and the Mefou Wildlife Sanctuary and Ape Action Africa allowed participants to enrich their knowledge and gain hands-on insights into sustainable forest management, wildlife conservation and rehabilitation practices.
CLP alumna Laurelle Nkwemi (front) with other Learning Event participants during a field trip to Mefou Wildlife Sanctuary © Laurelle Nkwemi
It was notable that, following the event, 90% of participants rated their skills as intermediate or advanced compared to approximately 40% before the training, reflecting a 50% increase in perceived skill level.
Commenting on her experiences at the event, Laurelle said: “Being surrounded by people with wonderful ideas, learning grant writing, and having the opportunity to meet the Rufford team in person showed me that we need to trust ourselves because self-accomplishment is just as important as accomplishments in the field.”
We are hugely grateful to the Rufford Foundation for their ongoing support and for giving Laurelle, Rowina and all their peers this vital opportunity to boost their skills, enrich their understanding, and build their professional networks.