Saving the Wild Pollinators from the Local Extinction: Promoting the Conservation of Beneficial Insects and Bird Species in Mbeya Range Forest Reserve

18 Apr 2023 Mbeya Range Forest Reserve, Tanzania, Africa Birds | Communities | Invertebrates | Forests

Hudson Christopher Laizer


Other projects

5 Sep 2018

Restoration of Degraded Habitats of Mount Loleza Forest Reserve to Enhance Conservation of Ecosystem Services and Birds Population through Community Empowerment

21 Jan 2020

Restoration of Degraded Habitats of Mount Loleza Forest Reserve to Enhance Preservation of Ecosystem Services through Community Conservation Education

The Mbeya Range Forest Reserve (MRFR) is home to a diverse array of wild pollinators, including solitary bees, butterflies, moths and bird species. These pollinators are essential to the health and productivity of this unique forest ecosystems, as they are responsible for the pollination of a wide variety of plant species thus help in sustaining local biodiversity. However, due to factors such as deforestation and agricultural activities particularly the use of synthetic pesticides, many of these wild pollinators are at risk of local extinction.

In order to ensure the continued existence of wild pollinators in the MRFR, there is an urgent need to sensitize communities on the conservation of the natural environment and the practices that threatens the existence of the wild pollinators. Therefore, this project aims at raising public awareness and providing conservation education on the importance of conserving wild pollinators in the MRFR particularly the solitary bees, butterflies and bird species.

A butterfly (Danaid eggfly) in Mbeya Range Forest Reserve. © Hudson Laizer.

A butterfly (Danaid eggfly) in Mbeya Range Forest Reserve. © Hudson Laizer.

Moreover, the project will facilitate the establishment of pollinators’ clubs in schools, build the capacity of the committees responsible for environmental conservation in the villages around the forest reserve and support the environmentally friendly income generating activities that will help to reduce pressure on the resources from the MRFR. The project will also collaborate with local authorities, NGOs and conservation organizations in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and the conservation of wild pollinators in order to ensure the long-term survival of these beneficial species and the health and productivity of the entire forest ecosystem.

Header: Mt. Loleza, part of Mbeya Range Forest Reserve. © Hudson Laizer.

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