Grand Maka Yop
Big 5 Conservation
Project
Country
Senegal
Area
Located in the Maka Yop Village Community of Kaffrine, Central Senegal
Type
Afforestation, Reforestation & Revegetation (ARR) removal credits, focused on native species
Certification
Registered and verified through Ecosystem Restoration Standard, the project joins a registry focused on high quality restoration projects. Independant carbon quantification & DMRV ensure standardised and conservative quantification
Key SDGs Targeted
The Grand Maka Yop Conservation Project is a 35,000 ha wildlife reserve designed to help local communities resore and protect Senegal’s elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos populations (collectively known as the “Big 5”), amongst numerous other species. The 35,000 ha forest reserve will:
- Create a well-managed, accessible conservation space to protect Critically Endangered species and support conversation research.
- Restoration with native habitat.
- Co-design activities with communities.
- Create over 2500 jobs.
- Raise local household income by 260%.
- Improve household water access
As in the Senegalese national anthem, the Grand Maka Yop Conservation Project aims to make the Red Lion roar once more.
Local Reforestation Partners
A women–led movement is transforming Senegal’s central forests. Lion Rouge works with the Association des Femmes Forestières (Kaffrine female foresters group) to:
- Support female-led community work.
- Ensure every sapling is well adapted and locally suitable.
- Provide local community expertise.
Livelihood Support
Lion Rouge supports local households to thrive by:
- Directly sharing 100% of net-income with communities, villages empowered to make spending decisions directly.
- Local health centres and schools supported.
- Agroforestry interventions help diversify household income streams.
Grand Maka Yop Big 5 Conservation Project
Country
Senegal
Area
Located in the Maka Yop Village Community of Kaffrine, Central Senegal
Type
Afforestation, Reforestation & Revegetation (ARR) removal credits, focused on native species
Certification
Registered and verified through Ecosystem Restoration Standard, the project joins a registry focused on high quality restoration projects. Independant carbon quantification & DMRV ensure standardised and conservative quantification
Key SDGs Targeted
The Grand Maka Yop Conservation Project is a 35,000 ha wildlife reserve designed to help local communities restore and protect Senegal’s elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos populations (collectively known as the “Big 5”), amongst numerous other species. West Africa needs well-managed, accessible.
conservation spaces that protect regional subpopulations of Critically Endangered large mammals, such as West African Lions, Giraffes, and Western Derby Elands.
Restoration with native species, community driven interventions, job creation, improved water access, agroforestry, a ranger school, funding research for protected species and scholarships for local students ensure a top-quality project.
As in the Senegalese national anthem, the Grand Maka Yop Conservation Project aims to make the Red Lion roar once more.
- Planting economic empowerment alongside every tree
- Turning degraded lands into thriving ecosystems
- Delivering life-changing water access points
Local Reforestation Partners
A women–led movement is transforming Senegal’s central forests. Lion Rouge works with the Association des Femmes Forestières (Kaffrine female foresters group) to:
- Support female-led community work.
- Ensure every sapling is well adapted and locally suitable.
- Provide local community expertise.
Livelihood Support
Lion Rouge supports local households to thrive by:
- Directly sharing 100% of net-income with communities, villages empowered to make spending decisions directly.
- Local health centres and schools supported.
- Agroforestry interventions help diversify household income streams.