1

In Rwanda, weaknesses

in scientific and re-

search capabilities in

environment and natural

resources still exist.

Conscious of this fact,

H.E. President Paul Ka-

game, President of the

Republic of Rwanda

recommended establish-

ing a Center of Excel-

lence in biodiversity

and natural resources

for the Albertine Rift

region during the ‘1st

Intl Research Confer-

ence on Biodiversity &

Sustainable Manage-

ment of Natural Re-

sources’ held July 2007

in Kigali. This was the

beginning of the CoEB.

Support from UNESCO

facilitated stakeholder

meetings, institutional anal-

yses, and development of a

strategic plan. The Center

aims to address limited sci-

entific knowledge and re-

search capacity in Rwanda

for biodiversity, and limited

linkages between science

and national development

strategies by bringing insti-

tutions and people together

for the common cause of

biodiversity conservation

and sustainable manage-

ment. The CoEB creates

collaborative opportunities

to meet shared goals for

biodiversity among stake-

holders.

Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural

Resources Management (CoEB), Rwanda

Brief overview of the

CoEB

CoEB Creation

How does CoEB function

CoEB Structure

CoEB achievements

CoEB Activities

Participated in International

Conference on Geospatial

Technologies for Sustaina-

ble Urban and Rural Devel-

opment, 16-20 November

Training Workshop with

RNCEAR on Indigenous

knowledge for biodiversity con-

servation and Remote sensing

for tropical forest monitoring

using CLASlite, 16-20 June

2015

East Africa Community

National Observatory En-

gagement Workshop orga-

nized by IUCN, 10 Decem-

ber 2015

V o l N o 1 , 2 0 1 6

F e b r u a r y , 2 0 1 6

CoEB Quarterly Newsletter

CoEB structure, mission & goal 2

CoEB node news 2

CoEB partner news 2

CoEB updates and Biodiversity news

3

Recent Publications 3

Interview with a hero 3

MSc and PhD students’ views 4

Cooperation for Cooperation for

biodiversity and biodiversity and

resource resource

managementmanagement

2

V o l N o 1 , 2 0 1 6 R w a n d a ’ s b i o d i v e r s i t y h e r i t a g e

We appreciate how the KCCEM is

promoting sustainable conservation

through education and training; they

are providing a large number of

park rangers with professional train-

ing skills.

This college is developing a plastic

green house where they will culti-

vate orchids. The college is also

planning to develop a butterfly

house for sustainable conservation

of Rwanda’s fauna and flora.

The CoEB is committed to collabo-

rate with its nodes to ensure sus-

tainable management of the re-

gion’s rich biodiversity.

Kitabi College of Conservation Envi-

ronmental Management (KCCEM)

KCCEM is one of our nodes. It is an

academic training institution located on

the outskirt of Nyungwe National Park,

Rwanda. This institution aims to develop

capacity in Conservation and Environ-

mental Management in Rwanda and the

wider Albertine Rift Region.

The CoEB visited this node and met with

our focal person Nathan Kabanguka, a

lecturer at this college.

CoEB Structure

The CoEB is composed of a central

Hub hosted at University of Rwan-

da, Huye Campus in the College of

Science & Technology, and Nodes

accommodated by research and

higher learning institutions and rele-

vant NGOs in Rwanda.

CoEB mission

To enhance knowledge of biodiver-sity and natural resource manage-ment for sustainable development.

CoEB Goal

To encourage, enable and support stakeholders to generate and apply knowledge on biodiversity and nat-ural resources for sustainable devel-opment

Bringing people and institutions to-

gether to understand and sustainably

manage biodiversity and natural re-

sources in Rwanda

linked to biodiversity conserva-

tion/traditional handicrafts, and

hey are making products which

contribute to Rwanda’s eco-

nomic development towards

EDPRSII and Vision 2020.

Institute of National Museums

Rwanda (INMR)

The CoEB visited the Ethnographic

museum in the Department of Tra-

ditional Training Center where we

met with women’s cooperatives for

weaving, beading, ceramics and

post card-making.

The CoEB appreciates how this

institution contributes to youth edu-

cation through handcraft training

which they offer to young women

who have left school. Those wom-

en are improving their livelihoods

Albertine Rift Conservation Society

(ARCOS)

ARCOS is contributing to the sustainable

conservation of fauna and flora at regional

and national level. This institution has an

education program called “Turaco kids”

which teaches young children how and why

to conserve fauna. Through collaboration

and partnership with various institutions at

national and regional level, ARCOS is con-

ducting projects in line with sustainable

biodiversity conservation and natural re-

sources management.

CoEB node news

CoEB structure, mission and goal

CoEB partner news

3

V o l N o 1 , 2 0 1 6

Dawson N, and Martin A. 2015. As-

sessing the contribution of ecosystem

services to human wellbeing: A dis-

aggregated study in western Rwanda.

Ecological Economics. 117: 62-72.

Fischer E, and Thiel C. 2015. New and

note worthy records of Liverworts

(Marchantiopsida) and Hornworts

(Anthocerotopsida) for Rwanda. Nova

Hedwigia. 100: 3-4, 525-534.

Gatali C, and Wallin K. 2015. Bird

diversity in the savanna habitats of

Akagera National Park, Rwanda, in

the post-war recovery period. Journal

of African Ornithology. 86: 3, 267-

276.

Killmann D. 2015. A new species and

new records of Dorstenia (Moraceae,

Dorstenieae). From Rwanda, East

Africa. Phytotaxa. 212: 3, 213-220.

Bidzilya, OV. 2015. Armatophallus gen.

n., a new genus of gelechiid moths

(Lepidoptera Gelechiidae) from the

Afrotropical and oriental regions.

Zootaxa. 3981: 3, 413-429.

Boxnick A, Apio A, Wronski T, and

Hausdorf B. 2015. Diversity patterns of

the terrestrial snail fauna of Nyungwe

Forest National Park (Rwanda), a Pleis-

tocene refugium in the heart of Africa.

Biological Journal of the Linnean Soci-

ety. 114: 2, 363-375.

Biodiversity Club creation

The CoEB visited Groupe Scolaire

de Zivu in Musha Sector,

GISAGARA District, Southern

Province and discussed the im-

portance of biodiversity for sus-

tainable livelihoods and the coun-

try’s development. The same day, a

new club: ” Club for Biodiversity

Conservation” was created and a

committee elected. We are appreci-

ating how this club is contributing

to biodiversity conservation aware-

ness raising in this school and re-

gion in general.

Gishwati-Mukura forest became a

fourth National Park.

Due to its ecological and economi-

cal importance, including four spe-

cies of primates: eastern chimpan-

zee, golden monkey, blue monkey, and

l’hoesti’s monkey (also known as

mountain monkey) this forest has been

established as Rwanda’s fourth Na-

tional Park. “It will not only help in

terms of improving biodiversity and

nature conservation but will also play

a key part in increasing our tourism

revenues”, Minister Biruta said.

Waterbirds diversity and abundance

in Rwanda

From 22-29 January2016, Birding &

Educational Tours LTD coordinated

water bird counting with REMA,

RDB, ARCOS, ACNR and the CoEB.

The survey provides scientific infor-

mation for sustainable wetland man-

agement and waterbird population pro-

tection.

and plants are being neglected.

CoEB: As president and founder of

Rwanda Young Birdwatchers initia-

tives, tell us where this initiative came

from and your objective?

Narcisse: After seeing how biodiversity

is being destroyed I though that youth

can be the main tool for biodiversity

conservation awareness raising. Our

objective was to raise the level of under-

standing of biodiversity conservation

and its importance.

CoEB: What are your achievements?

Narcisse: This club brought many

solutions. For example at Gisakura for-

est, some parents used to send children

in the forest for firewood collection,

pasture collection and others but cur-

In line with our mission, the CoEB inter-

viewed RDB guide Mr Narcisse

Ndayambaje who initiated birdwatching

clubs in 3 Provinces of the Country.

CoEB: Can you tell us your professional

background?

Narcisse: I am working at Rwanda Devel-

opment Board (RDB) as a guide since these

past 20 years. I worked with Akagera Na-

tional Park, Volcanoes National Park, since

2007 I work at Nyungwe National Park.

CoEB: How do you see the state of biodi-

versity conservation in Rwanda?

Narcisse: In my point of view, I can say

that in Rwanda biodiversity is conserved at

49%. Many habitats are being destroyed

like wetlands while these host many spe-

cies. The other issue is that small animals

Some Recent Publications about Biodiversity in Rwanda (let us know if you would like a pdf of an article)

CoEB updates and Biodiversity in the news

Interview with a Hero

rently the forest is well protected since chil-

dren know well its importance. The same case

at Kivu and Muhazi Lakes because we created

clubs there too.

CoEB: How do you think the CoEB can help?

Narcisse: We wish that the CoEB can provide

capacity building trainings so that these chil-

dren could become local tourism guides.

CoEB: What do you think is the most im-

portant issue for biodiversity conservation in

Rwanda today?

Narcisse: Poverty reduction/alleviation and

increase the level of understanding of biodi-

versity conservation and its importance.

CoEB: Thank you so much for your time

Narcisse: Thank you for your initiative to-

wards biodiversity conservation sustainability.

White-winged Tern observed at Rweru Lake

Little Egret recorded at Mugesera Lake

4

Bernadette Arakwiye did her MSc in Environmental

Studies at Antioch University New England, USA, and

is doing her PhD studies at Clark University, USA. Her

PhD research is focused on Monitoring forest cover to

assess sustainable restoration areas in Rwanda. As

scientist and role model for other Rwandan women,

Bernadette wishes to contribute to biodiversity conserva-

tion sustainability after her studies. She wants to focus

on research related to biodiversity and conservation in the Albertine Rift biodi-

versity hotspot. She also wishes to contribute to education at the University

level by giving courses related to biodiversity conservation.

Asked how she sees the state of biodiversity conservation in Rwanda, Berna-

dette said that it is not easy to answer because available biodiversity infor-

mation is fragmented, dated or hidden in some research institutions (not dis-

seminated to the public). She gave the example that while reports show the

mountain gorilla population is increasing, it is not easy to get information of

population dynamics for other taxa or biodiversity indicators due to limited

information sharing or availability. Bernadette suggested that we still have

gaps in biodiversity conservation where for example some areas are under or

not explored like biodiversity in urban areas.

Bernadette is grateful there are a great number of people involved in biodiver-

sity conservation in Rwanda but she suggested that limited information sharing

among institutions may hinder real progress. Asked the most urgent activity to

be conducted for biodiversity conservation sustainability, Bernadette said that

updating Rwanda’s biodiversity knowledge/ information is needed. This infor-

mation must be shared at all levels including local communities, and youth

should be trained to insure the sustainability and safety of Rwanda’s current

and future biodiversity conservation. Bernadette closed by recommending the

CoEB consolidate biodiversity information so that all conservationists and

scientists in general know the current state, trends, and gaps to be filled by

more research.

Activities ahead

Official launch

Staff Hiring

Biodiversity calendar 2016 launch

Grant proposal writing to fund biodiversity activities

Launch of our Education Program Curriculum

…………………………………………………………..

Do you have a story or item to share with us? Please do not hesitate to contact us and we will include it in an issue of Rwanda’s Biodiversity Heritage. Contact us at

one of these addresses!

Unity makes strength!

Bringing people and institutions together to understand and sustainably manage biodiversity and natural re-sources in Rwanda.

The CoEB is committed to collaborating with its Nodes to ensure sustainable management of the region’s rich

How to reach us? University of Rwanda/ Huye Campus, in CGIS building, across from Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda (formerly National Museum of Rwanda).

Post Box 512 Butare

Website:

www.coebiodiversity.wordpress.com

Email: coerwanda@gmail.com

Follow us on Twitter: @CoErwanda

Tel: +250784461316

CoEB Newsletter issue No 1, 2016

Different perspectives of biodiversity conservation

in Rwanda MSc and PhD students’ views

This section was developed through survey questions given to current and

recent PhD/ MSc holders and students. In each issue we will highlight 2

new people.

Jean de Dieu Uwizelimana, a lecturer at University of

Rwanda, College of Science and Technology in Biology

Department, Zoology and Conservation Option shared

with Rwanda’s Biodiversity Heritage newsletter his

views on the state of Rwanda’s biodiversity conservation.

He did his MSc in Biodiversity Conservation at Universi-

ty of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology in

Biology Department on Prevalence of gastrointestinal

parasites in baboon population (Papio anubis) of Nyungwe National

Park, Rwanda.

According to Jean de Dieu, Rwanda has put effort in establishing some

policies regarding biodiversity conservation in general, but it seems that

only biodiversity within protected and/or reserve areas are considered while

unprotected areas seem to be neglected or forgotten. He wishes to contrib-

ute in this gap through teaching, seminars, and talks on biodiversity and its

importance for both natural ecosystems and human health and welfare.

Asked the most urgent issue that biodiversity is facing in Rwanda, Jean de

Dieu said that misuse and/or overexploitation of natural resources in re-

sponse to high population demands are affecting biodiversity. He gave the

example of the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in wetlands.

Cooperation for Cooperation for

biodiversity and biodiversity and

resource managementresource management