Conservation Calendars: Celebrating Indigenous Stewardship

Early this quarter, our education team embarked on their annual journey across the Reserve to distribute newly crafted calendars to local and indigenous communities. This year, calendars were created in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society spotlighting the vital role of the Mbuti and Efe Indigenous Peoples as stewards of the forest and champions of conservation. Having cohabitated with the landscape for over 40,000 years, their tribes possess invaluable knowledge that deeply enriches our collective understanding of the forest and the okapi that live there.

These calendars serve as powerful communication tools, shedding light on the key contributions of indigenous peoples to conservation. With 4,000 calendars freely distributed across axes of the Reserve, from Epulu to Kisangani, our educators engaged with community members and leaders to spark discussions on conservation action, promote cultural appreciation and respect, and emphasize the importance of collaborative stewardship.

As we continue our efforts throughout this year, we look forward to nurturing a future where communities and nature thrive together.