GREEN CAMPUS INTITTATIVE (GCI)/Urban Tree campaign

Description/achievement of initiative

Large open space has been observed across academic institutions in Nigeria. This is largely due to pressure from expansion for built up and infrastructural development. Netlink Environmental Conservation Organisation (NECOR) through her student armed Environmental Conservation Club established in some primary , secondary and tertiary institutions decided to launch Green Campus Initiative (GCI) to raise the consciousness of the youth and management of these institutions in a bid to close canopy, sequestrate carbon and ameliorating environment through planting of trees. GCI was launched on the 5th June, 2018 to commemorate year 2018 World Environment Day .

Implementation methodologies

Every Saturday members of ECC are mobilised by members of NECOR to go to the field for planting. Seedlings for this exercise are purchased from the nearby horticultural gardens and State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources from the pulse of the organisation. Sometimes, letters are written to the Park and Garden Unit of the host institution for available seedlings to be planted. The sites designated for planting are selected in consultation with the planning Unit of the host institutions in order to be guided so that the original plan of the institution is not altered to avoid feeling or cutting of the trees planted in the nearest future. After planting especially during the raining season, members of ECC organised themselves into groups to do the monitoring. Occasionally, sensitization rally are organised across the communities to sensitize the populace and to raise their consciousness on the importance of tree planting and promotion of green products . As part of the efforts of the organisation to promote planting of bamboo grass, the organisation also launched a bamboo waste bin to commemorate year 2019 World Environment Day.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

Members of communities are involved in planting and monitoring exercise. This gives room for sustainability of the project. In some cases especially where these trees are planted and members of ECC went on holiday or break , staff of the institutions that are in Park and Garden Unit also involve in monitoring of the project . Members of the trustee of NECOR are professionals in the field of forestry , meteorology,, biodiversity conservation and management , thereby organise capacity training for the members on planting , silvilcultural practise and management. The executive of the ECC are constituted in a democratic manner that gives room for continuity. Staff of Ondo State Ministry of Natural Resources and staff of Department of Forestry in the relevant institutions equally provide experts advice on this project in term of selecting the site, provision of manure, planting e.t.c

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure.