“This is actually a dream turned into reality”.
CLOSING THE CANOPY RESEARCH GAP IN WEST AFRICA
Over 9 days we trained local scientists how to climb trees using modern arboricultural techniques. Now the researchers are designing their canopy research projects including climatology, biodiversity, primatology, phenological studies and conservation projects.
Our equipment partners donated a total of $19,000 of industry leading tree climbing equipment to the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana. This figure is the equivalent of 32 years of wages for low income earners in Ghana.
Ghana Tree Climbing Training 2024
(30 mins)
JUST ONE CARABINER
To add in some perspective on why this project has value there is one simple comparison to share. The price of one carabiner, about AUD $50, is equivalent to 28 days of full time work for a low income earner in Ghana.
This simple example of comparative economics puts it all into perspective. During our stay we were treated super well, we didn't have to worry about transport, lunches and sobolo thanks to Lilly's mum.
All other expenses were on us.
FROM RESEARCH GAP…
A research gap can be described in many ways. This gap is a geographical area that has not had the same level of academic attention as other regions with equalivent forest makeup. Geographical remoteness is often combined with economic ability as the two primary reasons why science and research can sometimes be deprioritised. When it comes to canopy science it is the availability and cost of expert training, physical difficulty of access and the cost of professional equipment that is fit for purpose.
…TO RESEARCH HUB
There are now a number of competent and confident tree climbing researchers living in West Africa as well as a library of professional equipment. This simple fact will start the slow but unstoppable process of those skills, knowledge and equipment being shared throughout the region.
The climb team and the university are already looking into research and project collaborations with other universities spread across West Africa.
EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS
The abundant enthusiasm from all of the participants was the primary reason for this success. None of them were extreme athletes, had any rope work experience or any working at height experience. Naturally this presented us with quite a task to get them all comfortable, competent and confident in just 9 days of training.
Despite the intensity of knowledge imparted and difficult physical activity in a very hot environment not one student complained once.
We were just as inspired as the students and the team is planing on returning in 2025. We will provide additional training to new students as well as assist the current with the implementation of their research projects.
BECAUSE OF ONE MAN
Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo,
Lecturer in Ecology & researching plant phenology, plant functional traits, community ecology.
I need tree climbing skills for plant phenology and plant animal interaction studies using camera traps. Also, to collect sun exposed leaves for plant functional trait studies, I will need climbing skills, especially making collections at branch tips.
I am excited about the world of opportunity in canopy ecology/canopy science research that our students would now have access to. On all grounds and at all levels, such a training would not have been possible without the generosity of equipment donors and course facilitators.
MEET THE RESEARCHERS
Charles Agyakwa, Conservation Project Officer at A Rocha Ghana I am responsible for spearheading the conservation of pangolins and other endangered small mammals in the Atewa Landscape, a pristine upland evergreen forest threatened with mining activities. I will be able to climb to the tree spaces of the mammals and study them closely and also understand the threats they face better.
Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo, Lecturer in Ecology & researching plant phenology, plant functional traits, community ecology. I need tree climbing skills for plant phenology and plant animal interaction studies using camera traps. Also, to collect sun exposed leaves for plant functional trait studies. I am excited about the world of opportunity that our students would now have access to.
Anthony Owusu Achiaw, MPhil Environmental Science Student & Research Assistant. I use this skill in climbing trees to mount camera traps, collect biological samples from the different forest strata and also to position measuring equipments on trees.
Daniel Yawson, Senior Laboratory Technician & Primatologist researching habitat quality in different ecological zones in Ghana. As an early-career ecologist, being able to access the canopy level of forests opens up a whole new dimension of study.
Amos Kojo Kum Abakah, MPhil Environmental Science Student & Teaching Assistant. As an environmental science student tree climbing is an important tool as it would allow for to me to observe arboreal creatures in their natural habitat with minimal disturbance. This exercise gives me access to tools & equipment I would otherwise not have access to.
Sherrif Idriss MPhil Environmental Science Student & Teaching Assistant Tree climbing skills will be essential to my research. I will be deploying camera traps on roosting sites of fruit bats for behavioural studies.
Francis Veriegh, Lecturer in Entomology studying vector biology. Research on the ecology & behaviour of insects found in all kinds of ecosystems exists. However, very little or no information of the ecology of insects inhabiting the tree canopy is readily available. This tree climbing training has been timely to assist us study insect in the trees.
Anita Aboah MPhil Environmental Science Student & Teaching Assistant. As an ecology student, tree climbing skills would be valuable for my field research, data collection, canopy ecology studies and conservation efforts, as well as educational outreach
Prince Yeboah Baah, MPhil Environmental Science Student & Research Assistant. My interest in plant Taxonomy requires tree climbing skills for sample collections of both fertile and sterile materials. The climbing skill is needed to collect samples from tall trees for identification and in some cases where fruits or flowers may never have been collected,
EQUIPMENT PARTNERS
$19,233 of equipment donated to the university
THE TRAINERS
Sam Hardingham
EverydayArbor
Newcastle Australia
Sam is a part time teacher at Ryde TAFE NSW, delivering and assessing the practical units of the AQF Certificate 3 in Arboriculture. He is an active member of industry groups such as the Practicing Arborist Committee of Arboriculture Australia and the state-based group NSWarb has given Sam opportunities to contribute to industry progression.
Since 2005 Sam has worked all over the world and in 2019 he started Everydayarbor. Everydayarbor has worked with ecologists from University of Sydney, World Wildlife Fund, Science for Wildlife and Birdlife Australia. These projects have included iconic species like the Greater Gliders in Tallaganda National Park NSW, and Koalas in the Blue Mountains NSW.
Vicki Tough
Sylvana Alta
Tübingen Germany
As an arborist and tree climbing instructor Vicki founded Sylvana Alta to combine these professions and promote scientific exploration in forest canopies worldwide, believing that the greater understanding of its value will better protect it for the future. Having studied Zoology Vicki has organised, participated and led research expeditions for 20 years assisting and contributing to scientific studies worldwide. With a professional (possibly unhealthy) obsession with sleeping in trees Vicki co-founded Big Canopy Campout to share the importance of connecting people all over the world that are dedicated to fighting for the protection of native forests. She loves coffee and frogs, not together. She hates leeches, they are sneaky.
Steve Pearce
The Tree Projects / Big Tree State
Tasmania Australia
Steven Pearce is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker and is the creative director for The Tree Projects. Willing to push the boundaries and embrace the latest technologies, Steve is able to deliver content that is unique, beautiful and inspiring. As an avid tree climber and a passionate naturalist, he has spent over 10 years documenting trees and forests.
Steve has assisted over 500 people into the giant trees of Tasmania and runs the Tasmanian Recreational Tree Climbing Club. He has been actively engaged with the international arboricultural community and has travelled widely to assist with treetop research projects including USA, Taiwan, Panama and NZ
In October 2023, we attended the International Canopy Conference in China. Not a single presentation was delivered by West African scientists. This research gap was acknowledged by the group and we began working towards providing this training expedition.
Together with Dr. Kenneth Bentum Otabil, Head of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo, Lecturer of Biological Sciences at the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana we are choosing to solve this problem.
HOW IT BEGAN
FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY IN THE CANOPY
Empowering Ghanian scientists to undertake research and develop conservation strategies
Ghana is a continuation of the second largest block of tropical rainforest found on earth
Ghana has some of the least studied forest canopies remaining on earth
YOUR DONATION WILL EMPOWER LOCAL RESEARCHERS
As climate change increases, it is prime forested areas like Ghana that need dedicated research and appropriate conservation strategies. We will be enabling scientists to find local solutions to global issues.
PREVIOUS RESEARCH
To date, previous canopy research has almost exclusively be carried out by western scientists. On completion of their projects they return home, taking with them the skills, know-how and equipment. This leaves local scientists in a situation where they were simply unable to independently continue with canopy research.
THIS PROJECT
We are designing this project to enable Ghanaian scientists to take a self-determined pathway forward into the areas of research previously unavailable to them. Four complete sets of tree climbing equipment has been donated to the university.
THE FUTURE
Even before the completion of this round of training in Ghana the team were already discussing a second round of training and research assistance. Its rare that the enthusiasm from both the students and instructors is matched so perfectly.