Lessons Learned from On-the-Ground Conservation in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Conservation efforts in conflict zones, such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, can still achieve significant progress despite extreme challenges. A 1998 survey of staff from two conservation projects—Nyungwe Forest Conservation Project (supported by WCS) and Karisoke Research Center (supported by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund)—revealed that junior staff played a crucial role in sustaining operations during armed crises, often at great personal risk. Their motivation stemmed from a sense of protecting their natural heritage, belief in the importance of their work for their country, and the expectation of future salary payments. The study also highlighted the need for conservation organizations to invest more in training and responsibilities for junior staff, a lesson that led WCS to implement structural changes. This research underscores the resilience and critical role of local staff in maintaining conservation efforts amid instability.

Plumptre, A. J. (2020). Lessons Learned from On-the-Ground Conservation in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. War and Tropical Forests: Conservation in Areas of Armed Conflict, 71–91. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003075219-4