Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Conducts Validation and Training Workshop on GIS Maps and Integrated Landscape Management & Biodiversity Conservation.*
Comm Unit/MoECC
Dates: 17-18 June, 2026
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in collaboration with UNDP, has on the 17th and 18th June 2026, conducted a two-day Validation and Training Workshop on Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps and Integrated Landscape Management & Biodiversity Conservation under the project titled “Enhancing Sustainable Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation through Innovative Financing for Koinadugu and Falaba Districts”.
The Validation and Training Workshop, which was held at the Koinadugu District Council Hall, Kabala, brought together different stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, UNDP Sierra Leone technical team and Project Management Unit, Technical staff from EPA-SL, Tacugama, CSSL, revered Paramount Chiefs, Senior Section Chiefs, and Ward Councillors.
The purpose of the two-day program was to review and validate the draft GIS maps and the Integrated Landscape Management & Biodiversity Conservation protocols developed under the UNDP-funded project for Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, and to ensure technical accuracy, local ownership, and prepare stakeholders and the project team ahead of project implementation.
The workshop was facilitated by an International Consultant, Chris Magero, who presented draft GIS maps that was generated from satellite data and field surveys.
During the session, participants were given enough time to discuss and digest the findings as a way of validation exercise, cross-checking spatial data with local knowledge. In short, the key issues that were discussed involved the depleted Wara Wara Mountain, Lake Sonfon, and unmapped cross-border settlements.
The key objectives during the two day session focused on validating the draft GIS maps on land use, degradation hotspots, forest cover, and community boundaries, train district and partner staff on the Integrated Landscape Restoration Protocol Guidelines, agree on priority intervention sites and next steps for field verification and implementation, followed by stakeholders’ participation.
Conclusively, key outcomes were achievable and recommendations proffered. The outputs of the two day sessions provided a strong foundation for evidence-based, community-owned implementation of the project. Solidified continued collaboration between district authorities, traditional leaders, and technical partners who will be critical to sustaining the project.