Monrovia, Liberia — July 30, 2026
Liberia has taken a bold step toward becoming West Africa’s premier destination for sustainable eco-tourism. Today, the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) and the Society for Conservation of Nature Liberia (SCNL) signed a landmark three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Monrovia, setting the stage for a transformative partnership that blends biodiversity conservation with community-driven tourism development.
Protecting Habitats While Building Eco-Tourism
Liberia is a vital stopover for palearctic migratory birds and home to rare species such as the White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) and the Liberian Greenbul. Recognizing this unique natural heritage, the MOU emphasizes that conservation and tourism must go hand-in-hand.
Rather than pursuing mass tourism, the agreement commits to a low-impact, high-value approach. This includes strict carrying capacity limits in sensitive habitats, the development of local eco-guides, and the promotion of eco-lodges designed to minimize environmental footprints.
Key Areas of Collaboration
- Capacity Building: Training park rangers, eco-guides, and community members in bird identification, census methods, and scientific reporting.
- Pilot Birding Trails: Establishing birding trails, observation hides, and interpretative signage in biodiversity hotspots such as Gbarlo (Gola Forest) and Lake Piso.
- Joint Marketing & Branding: Launching global campaigns to promote Liberia’s eco-tourism, including an annual Birding Week and community-based tourism initiatives.
- Cross-Border Corridors: Developing eco-tourism corridors linking Liberia and Sierra Leone, while supporting SCNL’s ongoing conservation interventions.
Leadership Roles & Commitments
The agreement was signed by Hon. Princess Eva-Cooper, Director General of LNTA, and Michael F. Garbo, Executive Director of SCNL.
- LNTA will spearhead national tourism messaging, secure eco-tourism funding, coordinate with government agencies, and provide logistical support for field activities.
- SCNL, Liberia’s oldest conservation organization and a partner to international networks such as BirdLife International and the RSPB, will lead biodiversity monitoring, data collection, and community-based conservation programs.
A Vision for the Future
Running from July 30, 2026, through July 29, 2029, the agreement sets the foundation for annual joint operational plans. Together, LNTA and SCNL aim to transform conservation into a sustainable economic driver creating jobs, empowering communities, and safeguarding Liberia’s globally important biodiversity.
✨ This partnership marks a turning point: positioning Liberia not only as a birdwatcher’s paradise but also as a model for how eco-tourism can uplift communities while protecting nature.
