ABOUT US
Voice of Nature (VoNat) is a Cameroon community-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit organization with Head Office in Buea, South Region of Cameroon in the Central Africa Region. The organization is dedicated to building a greener, safer and more sustainable planet for wildlife and humanity to thrive.
Voice of Nature (VoNat) was founded in 2019 by a group of young conservationists and community leaders who wanted to leverage their diverse skills, experience and passion for solutions to conservation and sustainable development challenges in their communities, while engaging other young people and communities to do same. The idea was that through this, a sustainable and healthy planet will be created for all to enjoy and also hand to the next generation. On September 30, 2020, VoNat was authorised by the Cameroon Ministry of Territorial Administration following registration No.1125/G.37/C84/VOL.I/SASC to operate as an apolitical, non-denominational and non-profit organization. Since inception, VoNat has remained steadfast and resolute in its strive to deter biodiversity depletion, build community resilience to climate change and restore important and degraded landscapes in Cameroon.
Vision
VoNat envisions a planet where every individual intentionally treats nature with love and respect, understanding that their existence and that of generations is dependent on the environment.
Mission
Building a greener, safer and more sustainable planet for wildlife and humanity to thrive.
objectives
- To deter biodiversity depletion and bring back endangered great apes, amphibians, elephants, birds and trees from the brink of extinction
- To restore important but degraded landscapes (forest, wetlands & mountains) and their ecosystems functions, while improving community livelihoods
- To build community resilience to climate change and climate impacts, and enhance their adaptive capacity
- To raise awareness about environmental issues, while promoting sustainable & responsible natural resource management
- To groom young graduates into refined professionals, while providing passionate environmental advocates the opportunity to contribute to building a greener, safer and more sustainable planet
Our Core Values
Trustworthy
We are committed to upholding honesty and reliability in all our dealings, ensuring that we say what we mean, mean what we say and match our every words with exact actions.
Solution-driven
We take responsibility for our actions, think and weave in pragmatic solutions to any challenge in our strive to protect the environment, create a healthy planet for all and save lives.
Collaboration
We value the skills and knowledge in everyone, with a deep conviction that collective actions, mutual respect and innovation are the hallmark of any meaningful impact, and a sustainable future for planet earth.
Research
We contribute to informing community-based and science-based management of natural resources via operational research
Our Programmes
Our Programmes are created to proffer solutions to urgent conservation & environmental challenges and to bolster support for forest communities. They are born out of the gaps we identify in conservation & environmental actions thanks to our presence in the field and relationship with local communities.
Species Conservation
Deterring biodiversity depletion and bringing back endangered great apes, amphibians, elephants, birds, fishes and trees from the brink of extinction
Landscapes Restoration
Restoring important but degraded landscapes, watersheds, wetlands, forests and their ecosystems functions, while improving community livelihoods.
Climate Action
Building community resilience to climate change and climate impacts, and enhancing their adaptive capacity
Environmental Journalism & Storytelling
Raising awareness about environmental issues while promoting sustainable & responsible natural resource management
Volunteering & Youth Mentorship
Grooming young graduates into refined professionals while providing passionate environmental advocates the opportunity to contribute to building a greener, safer and more sustainable planet
Impact
Updates
As we reflect on 2024 and preview into 2025, I am filled with hope and gratitude for the inspiring and sacrificial work of our staff, volunteers and interns, and the unwavering supports of our donors (individuals, foundations and organizations) collaborators and members. Your priceless sacrifices and high sense of assiduity contributed significantly in deepening our organization’s commitment and strive to building a greener server and more sustainable planet for wildlife and humanity to thrive. I am honoured to share what the sacrifice of your finances, time and other tangible and intangible resources help ed us to accomplish as far as species conservation, climate action and landscape restorations are concerned in this 2024 Annual Report. Read More
Voice of Nature (VoNat) is carrying out a community-wide sensitization campaign on the new status of Mount Muanengouba. This campaign aims to enlighten community understanding of the Government’s Decree creating the Mount Muanenguba Herpeto-ornithological Sanctuary and the operational mechanism of such a protected area, according to the Cameroon Forestry Law. Read More
For the first time, Otancia Matambe, a secondary school student in Buea, had the opportunity to learn how to nurse a tree seedling. A skill she had only heard from her school mates who had participated in the previous Climate Action Program, of Voice of Nature (VoNat). Intrigued by the stories from her peers, she had longed for another of such sessions to be held again, so she can partake. “This is my first time learning how to nurse a tree seedling. I have learnt how to care for and grow plants. I am happy with what I have learnt here today”. Otancia shared.. Read More
Kids and youth are embarking on a hands-on tree planting initiative across many communities in Bonaberi-Douala, Littoral Region of Cameroon to fostering climate adaptation and climate impact mitigation. The ornamental, fruit and medicinal tree species planted in schools, hospitals, churches and other public spaces is part of two micro projects developed and implemented by some 20 kids and youths as part of Voice of Nature (VoNat) and Meg Wah(My Earth)’s annual EcoKids programme. The EcoKids programme, implemented with funds from Earth Rising Foundation, aims to raise young climate ambassadors in Cameroon. Read More
The Executive Director of Voice of Nature (VoNat), Ndimuh B. Shancho, and its Goliath Frog/Amphibians Conservation Initiative recently featured on the National Geographic Kids “Explorer of the Month” Magazine. According to the Deputy Digital Editor of the Magazine, Annabel Lever, “The goal of these features is to inspire young readers through connecting them with real-life scientists, artists, changemakers and more”. Read More
A Cameroon-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit organization, Voice of Nature (VoNat), has established a 1000-capacity tree nursery in Buea-Cameroon, marking a significant milestone in its urban landscape restoration and climate action. The tree nursery is located at the Government Primary School Ndongo, Buea. It has indigenous fruit trees including sour sop (Annona muricate), Pawpaw (Carica papaya), mango (Mangifera Indica) and avocado (Persea americano). There are also ornamental and medicinal/timber species like….Read More
“I will plant these trees in my compound here in Bokova so that my children and grandchildren will harvest and use for furniture, fuelwood and medication when they grow up. They will not have to go deep into the forest in search of them like us,” Pa. Dede Matthew, a resident of Bokova in the Mount Cameroon Area said shortly after receiving some indigenous threatened tree species from Voice of Nature (VoNat). Read More
One of Cameroon’s leading national daily newspapers, The Guardian Post, in its issues of Monday December 02, 2024, recognized the Executive Director of Voice of Nature (VoNat), Ndimuh Bertrand Shancho and 32 other Anglophone civil society leaders in Cameroon for the tremendous impact they are making fostering nature protection, climate change, democracy, human rights and sustainable development amongst others. Read More
Planting trees is very crucial in this era of climate change and land degradation but ensuring the survival of planted trees is even more paramount. Cameroon-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit organization, Voice of Nature (VoNat), is engaged in a monitoring and protection programme to enhance the survival rate of trees planted mitigate climate change and its impacts as well as restore the depleted urban landscape of Buea in South West Cameroon. Read More
Partners & Donors
GREAT INITIATIVE I WILL GLADLY WANT TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Dear Georgiana, thank you for your interest in VoNat and its activities. Please click here to apply and volunteer with us
I’ll like to become a volunteer
Hi Danarice,
Thank you for your interest in VoNat. Please follow the link below to read more about our volunteering and youth mentorship opportunity and apply: https://vonat.org/volunteering-and-youth-mentorship/
Thank you