Welcome to Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA)

Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA) is a local conservation and environmental education organisation committed to the conservation of Nigeria’s biological diversity, identifying environmental problems through scientific and social research to provide evidence-based sustainable solutions. Initiated in 2008 as a network of research ecologists and conservation biologists from the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute APLORI) in Jos, Plateau State, our goal is to investigate environmental problems and identify sustainable solutions to tackling them, through capacity building and rural empowerment. We promote the involvement of local communities in environmental communication and biodiversity conservation. We are interested in understanding the underlying factors driving environmental change and negative behaviours. Scientific investigation forms the basis of our approach and community involvement an essential element.

By 2012, the network became a full-fledged non-governmental organisation (NGO), registered under the laws of Nigeria. We work within and around protected areas and our belief is that nature is best conserved by people living closest to it. Since inception, we have carried out several projects at the Amurum Forest Reserve, establishing strong collaborations with local communities and authorities. We are now extending our intervention beyond north-central Nigeria.



NEWS

August 2025

SCERA secured funding from the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) in August 2025 to implement a community-based conservation project focused on tackling deforestation.

April 2025

SCERA successfully secured The Rufford Foundation Organizational Grant in April 2025. The grant marks a significant milestone for the organization, as it supported the development of our organisational strategy and will help improve our internal processes and strengthen our organisational capacity to achieve more successful conservation outcomes.

August 2023

A training was organised for rangers in the Spatial, Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) and human rights and social safeguards

NEWS

August 2023

As part of the capacity building initiative of the BIOPAMA programme, a Grievance Redress Committee of the National Park received training from 22 - 24 August 2023

March 2023

SCERA conducted a value-chain analysis to identify key sustainable forest management (SFM) initiatives that will enable transition to more forest-friendly livelihoods

March 2023

SCERA has secured BIOPAMA Medium Grant for Enhancing the Management and Governance Effectiveness of Okomu National Park, Nigeria

NEWS

September 2021

SCERA has secured BIOPAMA AC Small Technical Grant for Assessment in Okomu National Park and Amurum

February 2021

SCERA has been awarded the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for building capacity and sustainable partnerships for mainstreaming biodiversity in Nigeria

March 2020

As part of raising awareness on preventive measures against COVID-19, SCERA presented sanitary and promotional materials to Okomu National Park Authorities


The Three Pillars Of Our Work

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Partnerships for Sustainability

we create networks and forge long-term partnerships between government, community, civil society and private sector that enable good governance and effective sustainable management of natural ecosystems (forests, savanna, wetlands and inland waters) for the benefit of biodiversity and people

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Fostering locally-led Conservation Action

we work with local people and protected area rangers to protect species from extinction, maintain and restore habitats and improve ecosystem functions. We believe that conservation can only work if people living closest to nature are recognised and involved as key partners in conservation interventions in biodiversity hotspots and rural ecological landscapes

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Influencing Policy through Education & Research

we apply biodiversity research and monitoring in understanding the underlying causes of environmental threats in order to proffer sustainable and innovative solutions. Research outcomes provide information with which we are able to influence national and state policies through dialogue, outreach and educational activities that promote biodiversity and ecosystem mainstreaming






Where We Work


Amurun National Forest

Sustainability for Conservation and Education of Rural Areas (SCERA) began working in Amurum Forest Reserve in 2004 and played a crucial role, together with our partners, in establishing the foundation for sustainable forest and environmental management. Recognizing the value of the forest reserve for biodiversity conservation and community well-being, we have implemented various projects for future survival.


Okomu National Park

Sustainability for Conservation and Education of Rural Areas (SCERA) implements projects in Okomu National Park. We are working extensively to improve collaboration between local, state, national and private stakeholders across the park to reduce threats to the biodiversity. Community involvement in decision making is central to strengthening the forest governance and management.