Message from the Chairman of Forestry and Wildlife Management
Chimpanzees in Sapo National Park, Liberia. Source: Fauna & Flora — https://www.fauna-flora.org/countries/liberia
The forests and wildlife of Liberia represent invaluable inherited natural resources that must be preserved and sustained for future generations. Unlike many regions of the world that face deserts, infertile soils, and limited water resources, Liberia is uniquely blessed with abundant forests, rich biodiversity, and favorable climatic conditions. These natural assets position the country as both fortunate and responsible for their stewardship.
Forests play a critical role in sustaining life on Earth. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), forests contribute approximately 40% of the planet’s oxygen. Beyond this, they provide shelter, food, water, medicine, employment, and fuel for over two billion people globally. Forests are also home to countless plant and animal species, as well as indigenous communities whose cultures and livelihoods depend on them. Additionally, forests protect against landslides, soil erosion, and flooding, while playing a vital role in the global hydrologic cycle by releasing water vapor, capturing rainfall, and regulating climate.
Despite their importance, forests and wildlife face significant threats. Deforestation continues to destroy habitats, contribute to global warming, and accelerate desertification. It is therefore imperative that Liberia adopts sustainable practices that balance development with conservation. Achieving this balance requires thoughtful management of deforestation and reforestation, as well as responsible use of forest resources while preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.
Biodiversity—comprising genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity—is essential to maintaining ecological stability. As such, it is important for Liberians to reflect on key national questions:
- Is it possible for logging companies and indigenous communities to coexist harmoniously?
- Can Liberia achieve equitable and sustainable exploitation of forest resources?
- How can the country balance deforestation and reforestation to ensure long-term sustainability?
- Are we prepared to uphold the principle of intergenerational equity so that future generations inherit forests and wildlife comparable to what exists today?
Critical Issues
The following challenges require urgent attention:
- Deforestation caused by logging companies and slash-and-burn farming practices
- Reforestation efforts with inadequate monitoring systems
- Conservation of wildlife, biodiversity, and endangered species
- Protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, property, and cultural heritage
- Equitable distribution and utilization of forest resources by major corporations
- Protection and preservation of national parks
- Introduction of sustainable agricultural practices, including fertilizers, to reduce slash-and-burn farming
- Impacts of global climate change on forests and wildlife
- The need to educate Liberian fishermen on sustainable fishing practices, including appropriate size, age, and weight of fish to harvest
Mission Statement
The Forestry and Wildlife Management Cluster is not intended to replace or displace existing roles within Liberia. Rather, its mission is to serve as a collaborative platform that brings together scientists, engineers, investors, tourists, indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to enhance understanding and management of forestry and wildlife resources.
Central to this mission is the principle of intergenerational equity—ensuring a sustainable balance between meeting present-day needs and preserving forest and wildlife resources so that future generations of Liberians can meet their own needs.
Chairperson:
Dr. Budoin-Brutus Cooper, PhD., CPG
Interim Chairman
Dr. Budoin-Brutus Cooper, Ph.D., CPG
Dr. Budoin-Brutus Cooper is a seasoned environmental scientist, environmental engineer, and geologist with more than 30 years of professional experience spanning government service, academia, environmental management, and natural resource development. His career reflects a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and scientific research.
He currently serves as a Senior Environmental Scientist and Regional Environmental Manager with the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he oversees environmental programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.
Dr. Cooper earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Geology from the University of Liberia. He also holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Exploration Geology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He later earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental Science from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he conducted and successfully defended his doctoral research. He is also a board-certified Professional Geologist (CPG) licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cooper has supervised environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and environmental impact statements (EISs) for major infrastructure and land development projects, including highways, railways, airports, and mining operations. He has developed ecological risk assessments to evaluate the environmental impacts of such projects on forests, wildlife, endangered species, and biodiversity. In addition, he has coordinated public hearings, facilitated stakeholder engagement processes, and led studies assessing the social and environmental impacts of major investment initiatives.
As a professional geologist, Dr. Cooper worked as a uranium exploration geologist in central Liberia for five years. In this role, he conducted geologic mapping, supervised drilling and rock coring operations, performed statistically representative sampling, and prepared contoured maps and technical reports. He also utilized specialized instruments, including Geiger counters and scintillometers, to investigate uranium mineralization and interpret geological data.
Dr. Cooper served as Acting Director of the Bureau of Hydrocarbon at the Liberia Ministry of Mines and Energy, where he led a team of scientists in advancing the Government of Liberia’s petroleum exploration initiatives. Under his leadership, Liberia’s offshore region was, for the first time, divided into exploration blocks and offered to international oil companies through a competitive auction process.
He later received specialized training as a petroleum geologist at Amoco’s facilities in London and the North Sea. Following this training, he worked as a petroleum geologist, conducting electric log interpretation, well logging, well-site testing, seismic data analysis, and geological mapping for reservoir identification, as well as preparing technical reports.
In the private sector, Dr. Cooper served as an Environmental Engineer at Environsite Assessment, LLC, where he supervised subsurface investigations involving rock formation evaluation and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. He managed contractors performing soil borings, drilling, groundwater monitoring well installation, and chemical analyses. He also directed mine drainage and water quality studies, environmental pollution assessments, and remediation projects, while developing strategies that balanced environmental protection with sustainable development.
In academia, Dr. Cooper has served as an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Geology, contributing to teaching, research, and academic development in his field.
Dr. Cooper is widely respected for his technical expertise, leadership in environmental and geological sciences, and his commitment to advancing sustainable resource management and environmental protection.
