Ikemeh leads the South-West/Niger Delta Forest Project (SWNDFP) and established a conservation zone of more than 1,000 hectares in the Apoi community since 2021. ^[1] Rachel Ikemeh, a Nigerian conservationist, won one of the 2026 Rolex Awards for her community-based conservation work in the Niger Delta. ^[2] The conservation effort improved conditions for about 2,500 residents and educated more than 18,000 people about the environment. ^[3] With funding from Rolex, Ikemeh plans to establish four new conservation areas, a training center, and a mobile education program along the delta coast. ^[4] The conservation project has been replicated in four areas covering more than 10,000 hectares, improving the quality of life for 2,500 local residents and providing environmental education to over 18,000 people. ^[5]