L' Ecole Baobab, education programme in the Botanical Garden of Papatia

The objective of this project is to realise an environmental education programme based on the exisiting structure of the botanical garden of Papatia in the north of Benin. The garden was created by the local nomadic Peul, with support from the NGO and some universities (Frankfurt and Cotonou). The reason for the local people was that they had noted that plants they used to collect in the wild were not to be found anymore. After its opening in 2001, the garden has become a project that the whole village is very proud of, and that has stimulated other developments like alphabetisation courses and an active women group producing vegetables. In the garden itself there is a small farmacy of traditional medicine, an information centre, beekeeping installations and a tree nursery. Management of the garden is done by a committee of local people. The EE programme will enable schools, NGOs and others to learn (through guided walks in the garden) about the environment and the threats to biodiversity, sustainable management of natural resouces, the uses of plants, and the beauty of nature. Special courses will be organised for women on the use of fuel efficient stoves. Other courses to be offered include issues like reforestation for different purposes, nursery techniques, agricultural techniques to improve soil fertility etc. For this purpose the information centre will be enlarged with a new class room. In the schools surrounding the garden project staff will teach ecological subjects, and help with the creation of school gardens. It is envisaged that the NGO Benin Nature will assist in the training of teachers on environmental education.

This project led to the following results: - Improved infrastructure at the 'Ecole Boabab premises - Development and production of environmental education manuals - Promotion of environmental education in secondary schools through creation of three environmental clubs - Increased involvement of Patatia, Sinaicire and Chabi-Couma Schools students in conservation initiatives. For example their participation in establishing a 5000 indigenous tree species live fence -Promotion of income generating activities and traditional medicines - A well is dug to enable dry season gardening farming