The conkouati-douli national park is the most ecologically diverse protected area in congo with over 400INVERTEBRATE species

This unique park is composed of a terrestrial part of 3-830 KM2 and a marine segment OF1-220 KM2- totaling 5-050 KM2. The blending of equatorial rain-fores and the atlantic ocean allows for a wealthof different habitats- including mountainous forests- rivers- lagoons- savannas- mangroves- pristine beaches andan extraordinary marine ecosystem. This mosaic of habitats provides a home for the majority of central africasmost iconic species including (elephants- great apes- whales- dolphins- marine turtles- etc.)a partnership agreement was signed in april 2021 designating the management of the park to no- following adelegated management model- similar to those applied in odzala-kokoua and in nouabal ndoki national parks in congo. In the next five years no aims to increase staff from 50 to 200- doubling terrestrial protection- setting up amarine surveillance unit- establish a conservation department to ensure regular ecological monitoring- fullyintegrate the populations into the management of the park and ensure their access to basic social services.additionally- revenue generation mechanisms should contribute to the parks financing mechanisms through a carbon credit program and tourism development. The following 5 main objectives of this USFWS project for 2028 are aligned with the parks management departments and in line with USFWS priorities:1. Management governance: inclusive governance bodies are fully operational and a park management plan has been submitted to the government of congo. This will be realized by developing a long-term management plan as required by congolese law- further develop and animate a complaint and grievances mechanism for the park and by ensure functioning of parks different inclusive governance bodies- notably its board and consultation platform.2. Infrastructure logistics: park infrastructure and logistics is adequate to house and ensure operations OF200 staff. This will be ensured by expanding the park headquarters- constructing surveillance and ecological monitoring infrastructures throughout the park and acquiring the necessary logistics to implement management activities according to the management plan.3. Biodiversity conservation: scientifically proven distribution patterns and changes in flora and fauna within the park and its buffer zone have led to adaptive management measures. To achieve this- the project will ensure regular terrestrial large mammal monitoring- establish an ecological baseline for the parks marine ecosystems sing bruvs and fish landing site data- and integrate (new) technology and aerial logistics to ensure multi-dimensional monitoring- maintaining a helicopter view of the parks wellbeing.4. Protection security: illegal resource extraction within the integrally protected zones of the park is reduced close to zero- thanks to 100 well-trained agents- a DOG unit and judicial expertise. This will be done through terrestrial and marine surveillance by a well-trained and equipped law enforcement unit- building of a judicial monitoring unit and by increasing confiscation rates of illicit wildlife products through weekly deployment of the jane goodall institutes (JGI) anti-poaching canine detection unit.5. Community development: the communities in the park and its buffer zone derive economic benefits from and are actively involved in- the sustainable management of natural resources.to achieve this no will improve the revenues of the communities- through human-elephant conflict mitigation and increased soil productivity and collaborate with JGI to ensure access to health services and ensure an environmental health monitoring system- using village dogs as a sentinel species for notifiable pathogens- andincreasing youth engagement by ensuring environmental education and after school clubs.