FReECo emerged after assessment and affirmations of the gaps in the conservation process which is mainly the bypassing and negligence of community people’s involvement in the conservation and management process of their natural resources; an issue that has often caused biodiversity sustainability initiatives to be more of research than conservation action oriented which has consistently caused conservation ineffectiveness and eventual failure.
To Restore degraded ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and Promote Sustainable Economic Development by supporting eco-friendly livelihoods.
FReECo seeks to develop local capacity for collaborative protection and preservation of their Ecosystems, and support sustainable economic innovations to attain value-added livelihoods.
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A passionate conservation researcher whose interest in conservation stirred up in 2017 as a Masters student in the University of Buea, Cameroon after he encountered his teacher from WCS (Mr. Lesley Akenji). The opportunity he had in engaging in conservation and research works unveiled to him the threats which vulnerable species like pangolins and tortoise face, which boosted his passion to protect these defenseless species. Lionel Ebong holds a B.Sc. in Geography and an M.Sc. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NaREM), both from the University of Buea Cameroon. He obtained another M.Sc. in Ecology and Nature Management from National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University Russia. While Mr. Lionel Ebong has as priority the welfare of communities and the sustainability of FReECo’s efforts in its areas of work, he is currently emboldening his skills and knowledge through a Ph.D. Program in Zoology at Saint Petersburg State University (SPBU), Russia.
Esofor Solange Ndem is the Vice President/ Policy and legal Affairs Officer of FReECo.
Solange is committed and passionate on Policy and Legal affairs with focus in conservation law and environmental policy within non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Her dedication to this field was ignited during her master’s program in Environmental Law and further solidified through her engagement with the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF) in 2021. Her primary focus is on fostering the sustainable management of natural resources while ensuring that economic policies are upheld. Esofor is particularly motivated by the inequitable sharing of benefits derived from the exploitation of genetic resources, advocating for the rights and interests of local communities. Educationally she has obtain a Bachelor of Science in English Law and a Master of Science in Environmental International Law both from the University of Yaoundé 2 Soa Cameroon
She is currently Pursuing a Master’s program in International Relations at National Tomsk State University, Russia and is also enrolled in a PhD program in Environmental International Law at the University of Douala, Cameroon. .she Engagement with ERuDeF in 2018 as an internship student, and 2021 as a full time worker During her time with the Environment and Rural Development Foundation, Esofor actively contributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing community engagement and sustainable practices in resource management Her Professional Experience as a Policy and Legal Affairs Officer at the Foundation for the Restoration of Environmental Conservation ( FReECo) Esofor develops and advocates for policies that promote conservation and sustainable resource management. She conducts legal research, prepares policy briefs, and collaborates with various stakeholders to influence effective environmental legislation.
Esofor Solange Ndem is deeply committed to advancing environmental justice and ensuring that local communities benefit from the resources they help to protect. Her academic pursuits and professional endeavors reflect her unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable and sustainable future