Liberia Launches $3.2M Wetland Protection Program

Liberia just launched a $3.2 million program to rescue two of its most threatened wetlands while putting young people to work protecting them.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the Wetland Protection Program on February 2, 2026, targeting the Mesurado and Marshall Wetlands near Monrovia. These ecosystems have suffered from illegal construction, sand mining, and waste dumping as the city's population grows.

Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, the EPA's executive director, explained the urgency during a World Wetlands Day ceremony in Paynesville City. "We are seeing increased flooding during the rainy season, loss of fish, loss of livelihoods, and loss of resilience to climate change," he said.

Wetlands act as nature's flood insurance, absorbing excess rainfall and protecting coastal communities. They also support fisheries, store carbon, and provide livelihoods for thousands of Liberians.

The program takes a comprehensive approach beyond just enforcement. Young Liberians will be hired as wetland security officers to monitor vulnerable areas and prevent illegal activity.

Crews will build physical barriers to stop further encroachment and restore degraded zones by replanting mangroves. The initiative also includes creating protected mangrove parks for conservation, education, and eco-tourism.

The Ripple Effect

This investment reaches far beyond two wetlands. By protecting these natural flood barriers, Liberia is safeguarding entire communities from climate disasters that have become more frequent and severe.

The program honors traditional knowledge too. Dr. Yarkpawolo noted that Liberian ancestors understood wetlands as sources of food, medicine, and cultural identity long before modern science confirmed their value.

During the launch, participants planted mangroves at the Mesurado wetland while EPA staff demonstrated drone technology for mapping and monitoring. This blend of traditional wisdom and modern tools shows how conservation can evolve.

The initiative also fulfills Liberia's commitments under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for protecting wetlands of global importance. Moving from policy promises to boots-on-the-ground action demonstrates the country's seriousness about environmental protection.

Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that success requires everyone's participation. "This programme shows that environmental protection can generate jobs, boost security, and build national pride," he said, calling on government agencies, businesses, civil society groups, and local communities to join the effort.

Together, Liberians are proving that protecting nature and creating opportunity can go hand in hand.