Nela Duke Ekpenyong
Obudu Conservation Centre (OCC)
In 2017, she led a team in Obudu Conservation Centre (OCC) that established The Women’s Woodlot Program in the Okpazange community of Cross River State, Nigeria. With the support of the community the Project fenced off is protecting the Aeroplane Field Forest which was being degraded as a result of bush burning, logging, hunting, and human and cattle encroachment. The project increased the understanding of the surrounding communities on sanitation, hygiene, and waste management. The water rehabilitation gave 2,691 people dwelling in the communities increased access to fresh water.