Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC)

Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC) is a women-led organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through sustainable community development, with a strong emphasis on climate resilience, conservation, and restoration. With over a decade of experience, WWANC has established itself as a leader in participatory, women-centered approaches to environmental stewardship, equipping grassroots women with the knowledge and skills to protect ecosystems and drive positive change. The organization is recognized for its robust governance, community engagement, and commitment to gender-responsive restoration, consistently fostering partnerships that prioritize long-term, inclusive solutions.

The proposed project focuses on restoring the Sururu Forest and adjacent riparian areas by conserving endangered species, enhancing native tree cover, and improving hydrological functions. WWANC will co-plant indigenous seedlings in the forest, watershed, and agroforestry systems, rehabilitate riparian buffer zones, and implement upstream tributary restoration to support ecosystem health and water quality. The initiative also aims to improve local livelihoods and reduce pressure on forest resources by distributing energy-saving cookstoves and agroforestry trees, including fruit trees, to the community. Targeted income-generating activities and leadership opportunities will promote socio-economic equity, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized groups in the Sururu forest catchment. The project will be implemented through community mobilization, baseline assessments, site preparation, planting, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring, ensuring active local participation and sustainable impact.