Communities in Sarbo District are receiving a major boost for sustainable forest management with the dedication of new infrastructure and mobility support under the Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management – CBFM Project.
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, officials formally handed over a newly constructed mini-warehouse and a tricycle to communities in Sarbo Geeken.
The facilities are expected to ease long-standing challenges with storage and transportation that have limited local participation in forest conservation efforts.
The CBFM Project is being implemented with support from the Government of Liberia through the Forestry Development Authority – FDA, in partnership with the Government of Sweden, Partners in Development – PADEV, the Food and Agriculture Organization – FAO, and the United Nations Development Programme – UNDP.
Project coordinators said the initiative is designed to put forest-adjacent communities at the center of managing and benefiting from Liberia’s natural resources.
- The Tricycle: This forms part of the newly launched Sarbo, Putupo and Gbeapo Community Forest Transport Service.
It will be used to move forestry tools, seedlings, project materials, and other supplies between participating communities. Officials said it will also help communities transport farm produce to market, creating an additional income opportunity.
- The Mini-Warehouse: The secure storage facility will house project equipment, tools, and materials. Beyond storage, it will serve as a community support hub for CBFM meetings, training sessions, and coordination of forest patrol and conservation activities.
The CBFM Project emphasizes four key goals: community participation, environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, and improved livelihoods for people living around forests and protected areas.
Speaking at the dedication, River Gee County Administrator Alexander Dennis commended the partners and pledged the county administration’s full support.
“This is development that makes sense,” Dennis said. _“When we protect our forests responsibly and involve the communities that live there; we protect the environment and create jobs at the same time.” He urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and use them to strengthen forest governance in the district.
Residents and local forest management committee members welcomed the donation, saying the lack of transport and storage had slowed their work for years.
“Before, we would walk long distances to carry materials. Now with this tricycle and warehouse, our work will be faster and easier,” a community representative stated.
With the new assets in place, communities in Sarbo, Putupo and Gbeapo are expected to increase their role in monitoring forest activities, implementing sustainable harvesting, and developing small businesses linked to non-timber forest products.
The dedication marks another step in Liberia’s push to expand community forestry as a model for conservation and poverty reduction.
Project implementers said the mini-warehouse and tricycle will serve as practical tools to improve coordination, mobility, and community ownership of forest conservation efforts in Sarbo and surrounding areas.
