30 Juli 2026
Nitrian community forest: Strengthening community ownership and forest governance in Liberia
Forest governance is not an abstract policy discussion. It is about families, traditions, livelihoods, and the future of a community whose daily life is closely connected to the forest. For residents, protecting the forest begins with having a voice in the decisions that shape how it is managed and how its benefits are shared.
Why community participation matters in forest governance
Liberia’s community forestry framework recognises that forests can be better protected when the people who depend on them are active participants in their governance. In Nitrian, this principle is being put into practice through community-led structures that give residents both rights and responsibilities in managing forest resources for conservation, livelihoods, and the common good.
Expanding the Nitrian Community Forest for future generations
Established in 2019, the Nitrian Community Forest is one of Liberia’s legally recognised community forests. In 2024, with support from Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) and Proforest, the community worked with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to expand the forest from 947 hectares to 1,397 hectares. The FDA’s approval was more than an administrative milestone; it reflected the community’s growing commitment to protect a shared resource for present and future generations.
Renewing community forest governance through local elections
That commitment was clear on June 25–26, 2026, when residents gathered to renew the forest’s governance structures through elections. Before the vote, the FDA held awareness sessions to explain the roles of the Community Assembly, Executive Committee, and Community Forest Management Board. These discussions helped community members understand that the election was more about selecting people to carry responsibility for accountability, inclusion and responsible forest management.
The newly elected Executive Committee is led by Dennis T. Broh as Chairman with other supporting members. The Community Forest Management Board includes Aaron J. Swen as Chief Officer with other supporting executives. The Community Assembly, made up of 40 representatives from seven communities, will serve a five-year term alongside the Executive Committee, while board members will serve between three and five years.
Building trust, accountability and benefits for the community
For many residents, the election was about trust as much as leadership. Community members expressed hope that the new bodies would promote unity, strengthen accountability, and ensure that decisions about the forest reflect the needs of the people who depend on it. Fredrick J. Wiah, Community Assembly representative for Popo Mission, captured this expectation simply:
We voted to get good leaders to support forest conservation and benefits for the community.”
Lessons from Nitrian for inclusive forest governance
The Nitrian experience highlights why community ownership and participation are essential to forest governance. When people understand their rights, take part in decisions, and see themselves as stewards of the process, forest management becomes more transparent, inclusive, and responsive to local priorities. It also strengthens the link between conservation and everyday concerns such as livelihoods, fairness, and opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
The work is technically led by Proforest with financial support from Golden Veroleum Liberia. (GVL) as part of their broader commitment to sustainability and High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) compliance.
