ABOUT US
Voice of Nature (VoNat) is a Cameroon community-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit organization dedicated to building a greener, safer and more sustainable planet for wildlife and humanity to thrive. VoNat was created in 2019 by a group of youths with a strong desire to use their skills, knowledge and experience to finding solutions to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development challenges, while engaging other kids, young adults and their communities to do same. The idea was that through this, a sustainable and healthy planet will be created that all will 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.
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 environmental pollution
- To contribute to finding solutions to global climate change
challenges - To raise awareness on environment and sustainable development issues, while grooming future environmental journalists
- To provide livelihood support and alternative sustainability
strategies to vulnerable community children,
youths and women in forest communities. - To groom young graduates into refined professionals for the
job market, while providing passionate environmental
advocates the opportunity to contribute to building a 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 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
Educating and building human and institutional capacity of local communities on climate change mitigation, adaptation and impact reduction.
Approach
Impact
Updates
The rapidity with which the climate is changing today is posing serious threats to countries the world over with kids and young adults in developing countries bearing the greatest brunt despite contributing almost nothing to the crisis. UNICEF Advisor, Reis Lopez, holds that; “the climate crisis is a children’s rights crisis, and engaging children is therefore very important”. Read More
At the heart of Mount Cameroon are globally threatened species like the forest elephant, Nigeria Cameroon chimpanzee, francolin, and zebrawood, undergoing depletion alongside many others due to wanton hunting, habitat encroachment and fragmentation. This is further compounded by the increasing erosion of indigenous conservation knowledge and none inclusion of kids and young adults, who hold the key to the future sustainability of species in this area, in conservation actions. Read More
Cameroon is one of the countries facing the worst effect of climate change, children/youths, who represent over 60% of the country’s population, are bearing the greatest brunt, despite contributing almost nothing to the crisis. While youths and children over the world have refused to be passive victims of the climate crisis, those in Bamenda, Buea and other parts of Cameroon have been increasingly worried and helpless, with limited understanding about climate change and what to do to end the crisis, but not anymore! Read More
We at Voice of Nature (VoNat) got into 2023 with the goal of having everyone across different age groups engaged in species conservation and climate actions. This led us
to introduce the intergenerational approach to our species conservation, landscape restoration and climate actions. Through this approach, kids and young adults were able to combine the wisdom and experience of the elders, with their energy and sense of innovation for a much bigger and sustainable impact. This report highlights some of our achievements we registered in 2023. Read More
In June 2023, Voice of Nature (VoNat) leveraged the support of British Ecological Society to empower and engage 30 kids and young adults from Tiko in carrying out actions for the conservation of the Tiko Mangrove, a wetland of international importance in Cameroon, undergoing depletion. Watch this documentary, which highlights the plight of the Mangrove and conservation actions being carried out by some community kids and young adults. The documentary also underscores the need for more urgent restoration and conservation actions. Watch Documentary Here
Climate change has induced drastic reduction in the quality and quantity of water in watersheds in Bamenda and other parts of Cameroon, with children bearing the greatest brunt. In a bid to salvage this, Voice of Nature (VoNat) is collaborating with Meg Wah, the North West Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Environment Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED-NW) from the Bamenda 1 Council to mentor and engage community kids and young adults in restoring some five watersheds in the Bamenda 1 & 2 municipalities. 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