Where We Work:

Maringa-Lopori-Wamba

The Maringa-Lopori-Wamba (MLW) landscape covers approximately 74,000 square kilometers and is home to many endangered species, including the bonobo, found only in the DRC. To help promote long-term resilience and food security, we are intensively engaged with local communities in land-use planning, conservation projects, and sustainable livelihood strategies.

We have helped communities establish two bonobo reserves in this high-priority landscape. The 3,625-square-kilometer Lomako–Yokokala Faunal Reserve and the 1,030-square-kilometer Iyondji Community Bonobo Reserve comprise a bonobo habitat of global significance.

Conservation and development solutions assist local and Indigenous people, as well as indigenous wildlife. They include:

Community livelihood projects, including training in entrepreneurship and microenterprise
Support for participatory land-use planning
Anti-poaching and law-enforcement support in partnership with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (The DRC’s wildlife authority)
Biological monitoring of wildlife populations and habitat
Regular community sensitization to conservation goals and importance through meetings and public awareness campaigns

Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Lomako Yokokala Faunal Reserve Luo Scientific Reserve

Other State Protected Area