Forest conservation – an alliance between people and nature

Since 1985, the foundation has protected 350 hectares of savannah forest known as Tobé, which belongs to two families. Young trees are planted and paths are created that serve as firebreaks in the event of a bush fire. In the early years, Karin Ostertag was supported by two landowners who have since passed away. The next generation has formed an association to organise forest conservation more effectively. Today the younger family members run a tree nursery that focuses on native species endangered species.

The healthy and vibrant forest complements the foundation’s other key areas of work – beekeeping and education – in a meaningful way. Thanks to the forest, the foundation’s activities are interconnected and strengthen one another.

Across 350 hectares, the forest is allowed to grow freely, providing shade, strength and life. Family members keep the paths clear, create firebreaks before the dry season and run a tree nursery with native trees that have become rare. These trees are planted and carefully maintained. Much of this work is carried out by young adults who are paid for their efforts. Women collect deadwood for their everyday tasks such as cooking. Traditional healers find medicinal plants in the forest. In the morning and evening, bees seek nectar from the fragrant blossoms.

Thanks to the Tobé forest, schoolchildren learn that a forest creates and sustains life. In this way everyone benefits from forest conservation – as long as visitors register in advance with the owning families. DAnnual rituals are held to honour the ancestors. Family members come together, and younger and older generations exchange their experiences. Ritual sites in the forest help to preserve cultural traditions – which also strengthens forest conservation. Guardians who live on site ensure that the rules are respected: No traps? No gunshots? No saws? No fields? No fire? No lorries using the paths?

Forest conservation also includes excursions with the landowning families to community-managed forests in other regions of Benin. Such experiences allow young people to to explore and understand life beyond their own village – an important prerequisite for developing their own visions for the future.

Expanding forest conservation to twelve forests across central, southern and northern Benin: the Tobé forest as a model

Thanks to many years of commitment, the Tobé forest is now in good condition – in terms of its biodiversity, the age structure of the trees and overall forest density. Public acceptance of the protection measures is also high, not least because of the integration of beekeeping and education on forest conservation at the AYEKE primary school and at the secondary school.

The good reputation of the Tobé forest has spread and has inspired interest in similar projects in other regions of Benin. With additional financial support, the foundation was able from 2019 onwards to respond to this demand by launching forest conservation projects in combination with beekeeping and primary‑level environmental education in six other forests:

• Okpeko in the municipality of Koko
• Sacred monkey forest in Kikélé
• Baaba and Monkidjo in Idouya
• Forest zone Gomi in Azraou
• Sacred forest Sinatabé in Ina (the only forest outside the Yoruba region)

Karin Ostertag has known all these forests and their owner families for many years. Even before the start of the project, the families were already protecting their forests, and in some cases beekeeping already practiced.

During the project, the foundation focused on strengthening local forest-management structures, raising awareness among the population and introducing alternative income-generating activities. In all six forests, beekeeping, tree nurseries and plantations of orange, mango or oil palm trees were established. These measures not only increases public acceptance of forest conservation but also help to secure its long-term financing. At the same time, schoolchildren in neighbouring villages were taught about forest conservation, and local radio stations broadcast information about the forests.

Clear progress was already visible after three years. Smaller forests such as the sacred forest in Ina became rich in trees again. Within ten years it will have grown into a dense forest. To support its conservation, the members of the management committee maintain ten bee colonies, whose honey production finances the salary of the forest guard. The sacred monkey forest in Kikélé has also returned to being a true forest within three years. Rare white-thighed colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) can now be observed there along footpaths. In addition, landowners and eco-guards have identified 150-hectares area outside the village in order to provide additional habitat for the growing number of monkeys.

The first project phase (2019–2022) was financed by the Stiftung Drittes Millennium, the City of Zurich, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC ) representation in Benin, the municipality of Herrliberg and private donors. The final report of the project phase 2019–2022 can be found here (Report 2019–2022, Photos accompanying the report 2019–2022 – available in German only).

The visible success of the project encouraged existing and new partners to support a second three-year phase (2022–2025). This made it possible to expand forest conservation, following the example of the Tobé forest, to a further five forests, bringing the total to twelve:

• Sacred forest Houinyehoueve in Houin
• Kpobidon in Koko
• Sacred forest Kpassè in Ouidah
• Okouta Kobounan in Kikél
• Igbodo in Sako

The project also expanded geographically: the project forests are now distributed across northern, central and southern Benin. As a result, the foundation has become better known throughout the country. As in the first project phase, all activities of the foundation were accompanied by local staff in the villages.

The second project phase is supported by the Stiftung Drittes Millennium, the Almatrust Foundation, the Canton of Basel-Stadt, the municipalities of Herrliberg, Rüschlikon and Küsnacht, the City of Wädenswil, as well as private donors.