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.
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 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; reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity.
Our Approach
Impact
Updates
“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
Some Cameroon-based environmental non-profit organizations, Voice of Nature (VoNat) and Meg Wah (My Earth) are extending their EcoKids project to Douala in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. EcoKids is an annual climate action kids programme jointly developed and implemented by Meg Wah and VoNat with funding support from Earth Rising Foundation. Over the last 3 years both organizations have engaged over 120 kids from communities within the Mount Cameroon Area and Bamenda Highlands of the Southwest and Northwest regions of Cameroon respectively, in experiential learning and community sensitization on climate change. Read More
The Executive Director ( ED) of Voice of Nature (VoNat), Ndimuh Bertrand Shancho, recently participated at the Restoration Academy in Dar Es Salaam-Tanzania. The week-long international conference took place from June 16 to 20 2024. The Restoration Academy is a tailor-made and engaging workshop format that enables restoration implementers to contribute to and benefit from the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UN Decade) and regional initiatives like the AFR100. Read More
A group of kids and youths for species conservation and environmental sustainability in the Mount Cameroon Area, Eco-Warriors, have called on adjacent communities to the Mount Cameroon National Park to retreat from activities that threaten endangered biodiversity species and uphold good environmental practices. Read More
Voice of Nature (VoNat) Climate Action team has monitored and evaluated trees planted some 2 months ago in public spaces and river sites in Buea, South West Region of Cameroon, within the framework of the organization’s climate justice initiative implemented with funds from Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the Mcginnity Family Foundation. The monitoring and evaluation exercise, which took place on July 23, 2024 was aimed at identifying key threats to the survival of the trees for the development of protection and sustainable management measures. Read More
The adverse effect of climate change in the form of increase temperature, heat waves, rashes and disasters like floods, landslides etc. are felt today than ever before, with children and youth bearing the greatest brunt. After over 6 months of experiential learning sessions about climate change and its impacts on water sources, agricultural production, human health etc., over 70 children in Buea on May 3, 2024, engaged in a tree planting campaign to fight against climate change and its deleterious effects. Read More
Six students from the University of Buea have joined the Voice of Nature (VoNat) Volunteering and Youth Mentorship Programme in different fields including; Climate Action, Species Conservation, Project Management, Human Resource Management and Communication. The volunteers and interns are participating in this programme have signed up for different durations from 1 to 6 months. Read More
VoNat has since 2021 been engaged in carrying out actions for the conservation of this species, with the support of National Geographic Society, British Ecological Society and Voice for Nature Foundation. As part of commemorative activities to mark the 2024 edition of the Save the Frog Day, the organization used a documentary, charts, posters, roll ups etc. to further raise awareness on plight of this frog amongst school children from communities in the Mount Nlonako Area. Read More
A network of kids and youths for endangered species conservation and environmental sustainability in the Mount Cameroon Area, Eco-Warriors, operation under the mentorship of Voice of Nature (VoNat) has established a regenerative vegetable garden in Government High School (GHS) Buea Rural, Bokova, South West Cameroon. According to the Vice President of Eco-Warriors, Kobbi Noel, the regenerative vegetable garden will serve as a demonstration site for the training of farmers in adjacent communities to the Mount Cameroon National Park on regenerative agriculture. 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