World Wetlands Day 2025: SURUDEV recognised for excellence in wetland, landscape restoration

Sustainable Run for Development (SURUDEV) has been recognised for its outstanding contributions to wetlands and fragile landscape restoration, receiving an award from the Cameroon Climate Journalism Network. The ceremony took place in Bamenda on Sunday, 2nd February 2025, as part of activities marking this year’s World Wetlands Day, celebrated under the theme "United for a Common Futurre.

Kari Jackson receiving recognition certificate 

The organisation was selected for the award in recognition of its impactful work in watershed conservation, wetland management, and climate change advocacy. Through its initiatives, SURUDEV has contributed to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building among communities while addressing hunger and poverty. Its efforts in researching and conserving biodiversity follow an ecovillage development approach, aimed at meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring the sustainability of life on earth.

Kari Jackson receiving recognition medal

Receiving the award, the Director of SURUDEV, Kari Jackson, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that the visibility of their projects is a reflection of their tangible impact. He highlighted that for nearly two decades, SURUDEV has been actively engaged in conserving wetlands and fragile landscapes. Over the past three years, the organisation has focused on the restoration of the Njising-Tabenken forest, leading to the rehabilitation of over 100 hectares of degraded forest habitat, the restoration of ten severely degraded water catchments, and the creation of an ecovillage along with three permanent nursery sites, each capable of generating 40,000 native tree species for restoration.