To assure an effective conservation of Cameroon 's unique wildlife, CWAF have an Environmental Education Centre (EEC). This is a department that is responsible in sensitizing the general public. Our education indoor and outdoor programmes gives the opportunity to those who visit our sites and even those who do not have the opportunity to do so, a chance to benefit from CWAF education programme. Our education programme focuses on all age groups. We visit church groups, schools, cultural unions etc and also organise sessions with groups that pre-notified us for their visit to our sites. We organise workshops with teachers, university students and run a Nature Club for children at the Mvog-Betsi zoo/Botanical Garden . The EEC provides free guided tour services to visitors of the ZOO and Mefou National Park . During such visits explanation is given to the beneficiaries on the different species of animals found in our sites and the problem of wildlife in Cameroon and the World at large.
The EEC also provides information on the various species on panels in front of each enclosure for visitors who are interested in reading. There are also pathway signs that tackle the bushmeat problem in Cameroon and environmental problems in general. In front of the Education centre there is also an information board that gives important information on recent research and publications published by Researchers on the problems of the environment.
Sessions offered by the EEC
There are many sessions the CWAF EEC offers to the general public. These sessions include Bushmeat , Ecosystem and Habitat, Conservation and sessions on Adaptation, Agroforestry and others.
The CWAF EEC organised a conference on the theme "Agroforestry and the Management of Wildlife for Rural Development" ( Agroforesterie et Gestion de la Faune Sauvage pour un Développement Local") in association with the CERCLES DES AGROFORESTIERS DU CAMEROUN (CERAF-CAMEROUN). This took place from the 6 th - 8 th of July 2005 at the Mvog Betsi Zoo.
Coming programmes
The EEC will be organising a Holiday workshop in the month of August. For the first time since the creation of the Zoo and the Mefou National park children will be in the classroom during the holiday to learn about their environment.
CWAF EEC facilities from which you can benefit
The EEC occupies three rooms at the Mvog-Betsi Zoo:
- a library/Education Office : the library is equipped with books, video, computers etc which is open to the general public irrespective to the age, religion, nationality etc.
- a Rainforest lecture room: this is a spacious forest-like designed room which gives a convenient environment for studies and lectures.
- Projection room: presently a digital projector is being installed in the projection room/conference room. This will serve the purpose of projecting documentaries, films, diapositives etc to ease understanding of the subjects of discussion during workshops, seminars, conferences, presentations etc.
The centre has 7 education staff with an Education Officer to coordinate the activities of the Centre.
From April-June 2005, the following statistics have been recorded for those who have benefited from our sessions:
Children/Youth: 1887
Adults : 796
Total : 2683
