The long-term success of nature conservation projects depends to a large extent on the involvement of local communities. We therefore conducted an education program to increase the awareness of the uniqueness and importance of biodiversity (conservation) among Ghanaian school children. We believe that the aesthetic beauty and intriguing nature of butterflies enables us to invoke children's passion and interest, both of which are useful in nature conservation.
About 14,000 Ghanaian schoolchildren at the junior secondary level have been provided with brochures containing pictures of some easily recognizable and/or appealing (Ghanaian) butterflies, which they can bring to the field. They give information about the diversity of butterflies (different colors and shapes) and their importance for nature conservation. The brochures have been developed in close collobaration with Kwaku Aduse-Poku (Butterfly Conservation Ghana) and Torben Larsen, an internationally renowned expert on butterflies of West Africa. In addition to effectively reaching our target group, the activity generated quite some interest among local scientists, conservationists, and university lecturers.
