Reuniting roots: honoring pioneers and celebrating progress at IITA Forest Center

IITA Forest Center stands proudly today as a leading conservation center in Nigeria. The journey began in 2010 as the IITA-Leventis Forest Project under the leadership of desert ecologist Dr John Peacock, who, out of his love for trees, sought to develop the previous conservation work of other scientists and enthusiasts like Dr David Ladipo and Prof. Shiiwua Manu, who had taken stock of the diversity of birds, butterflies, trees, and other flora and fauna of the IITA Forest Reserve in Ibadan.

His primal desire then was to restore degraded areas on the east bank of the IITA main lake. Now covering about 12 hectares, this mini forest holds over 80 native tree species averaging 20 m in height. On 10 October, Peacock visited after 14 years of his selfless and meritorious service to biodiversity conservation at IITA Forest Center. During an emotional and exciting time, IITA Forest Center staff were pleased to showcase milestones and progress following Peacock’s laid down legacies at IITA Forest Center.

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