Site purpose
This site is designed to be a sharable tool for engaging the scientific community with the exciting research and teaching opportunities being developed in three Liberian landscapes under the USAID funded "Conservation Works" program:
- East Nimba Nature Reserve - a mountainous centre of endemism within an area of mineral wealth
- Marshal Wetlands - a coastal wetland undergoing gazettement that supports diverse livelihoods
- Sapo National Park - intact Upper Guinean Forest with megafauna despite its complex history
Map of the three priority landscapes for SAVE travel: East Nimba Nature Reserve, Sapo National Park, and Marshall Wetlands
Why Liberia
Liberia, with its remarkable yet vulnerable biodiversity, globally significant ecosystems, and complex dynamics between conservation and development is a compelling location for conservation research. Historically, conflicts have restricted the scientific attention paid to Liberia. Now peaceful, welcoming, and striving for the recognition its biodiversity deserves, Liberia represents an ideal location for research that is pioneering and can guide applied conservation action.
The USAID-funded Conservation Works activity is dedicated to fostering sustainable revenue streams, building capacity, and generating knowledge to effectively support protected areas in Liberia. A core aspect of accomplishing these objectives is to create engaging opportunities for travelers within the SAVE (Scientific, Academic, Volunteer, and Educational) travel markets. These travelers visit a destination to engage in research, learning, or volunteering. SAVE travel markets can offer opportunities for both communities and conservation when traditional ecotourism is either unfeasible or undesirable and represent a growing segment of the global travel market, which is projected to reach $106.9 billion by 2026.
This website is specifically designed to introduce opportunities within Liberia to Scientific and Academic audiences, and we invite those who see potential within the Liberian context to engage with us, as we work to establish Liberia as a regional research hub through the development of three “One Health Centers.”
The USAID-funded Conservation Works activity is dedicated to fostering sustainable revenue streams, building capacity, and generating knowledge to effectively support protected areas in Liberia. A core aspect of accomplishing these objectives is to create engaging opportunities for travelers within the SAVE (Scientific, Academic, Volunteer, and Educational) travel markets. These travelers visit a destination to engage in research, learning, or volunteering. SAVE travel markets can offer opportunities for both communities and conservation when traditional ecotourism is either unfeasible or undesirable and represent a growing segment of the global travel market, which is projected to reach $106.9 billion by 2026.
This website is specifically designed to introduce opportunities within Liberia to Scientific and Academic audiences, and we invite those who see potential within the Liberian context to engage with us, as we work to establish Liberia as a regional research hub through the development of three “One Health Centers.”
The African Giant Swallowtail (Papilio antimachus)
The benefits of scientific and academic travel (in Liberia?)
The Conservation Works program seeks, as part of its objectives, to generate revenue, capacity and knowledge to support the conservation objectives of protected areas at the heart of the three focal landscapes. A core component of achieving this objective is creating opportunities for travelers from the SAVE tourism market.
Given Liberia's rich yet threatened biodiversity which has received a notable absence of research focus there are numerous opportunities for pioneering research that will address fundamental knowledge gaps and achieve applied value.
The Conservation Works program seeks, as part of its objectives, to generate revenue, capacity and knowledge to support the conservation objectives of protected areas at the heart of the three focal landscapes. A core component of achieving this objective is creating opportunities for travelers from the SAVE tourism market.
Given Liberia's rich yet threatened biodiversity which has received a notable absence of research focus there are numerous opportunities for pioneering research that will address fundamental knowledge gaps and achieve applied value.
Scientific travelTravel with a strong research focus such as expeditions and data collection trips. Scientific travel is done by professionals with a work objective. They may include:
Scientific travelers are attracted by compelling research contexts that fit their ongoing research themes. Opportunities that are unique to a particular landscape or are uncommon at a regional or global scales can be particularly attractive. |
Academic travelAcademic travelers seek to participate in experiential learning activities leading to credit for formal degree programs or courses offered by higher education institutions. They may include:
Academic travelers are attracted by the capacity of a landscape to meet their learning objectives. The support available form in country partner organisations and the ability to build long term associations and develop networks are also highly valued. |
To stay informed about the development of our research station, research opportunities, funding announcements, teaching opportunities and exciting collaborations with local and international organisations then please email or join our mailing list using the button below.