First tree we planted at the Sub-county headquarters.

We cannot build resilience outside the environment, especially in this climate change era. We cannot live alone without considering the presence of biodiversity in the ecosystem. Nevertheless, we can live in harmony with other living and non-living organisms in the environment if we are sensitive to our actions. Human beings and all living and non-living organisms in the biosphere form a great companionship. We inhale oxygen and exhale carbondioxide, which is very vital for the plants, implying that we depend on each other in this planet. However, humankind is gradually doing away with biodiversity. Therefore, it’s crucial to apply reforestation of indigenous tree species to bring back the changing seasons in Uganda. For that reason, we are very grateful to Rufford Small Grant for giving us the opportunity to work on our pilot project where we managed to plant more than 5,000 trees. We were encouraged by the number of people who turned up for our training. What emboldens me is that our farmers own and protect the trees they planted. I know it’s a long road to environmental and biodiversity conservation, yet with the emerging sense of ownership there is light beyond the tunnel. With continuous training and watchful eye of my team, within five years I believe we would have realised our dream of maintaining environmental vitality.

During the pilot project, we managed to plant Albizia spp (Nongo), Entada abyssinica A.Rich. (Mwolola), Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv. (Mugavu) and Melicia exlesa (Muvule) and fruit trees like Mangoes, Avocadoes and Guavas. These trees are nitrogen fixers, wind breakers and vital in rainfall fall formation, which is very crucial for Nalutuntu village. As well, they are important in carbon sequestration, but rapidly getting extinct. Thus our contribution is gradually becoming eminent and the Local Government of Nalutuntu Sub-county supports our activity. We still continue in monitoring the planted trees to make sure they are flourishing and we listen to each farmer who planted trees and provide quick solution to the farmers whose trees dried up during the long drought of December 2014-March and July-September 2015. In order to discourage people from cutting down the trees, we have provided the alternative that is the organic methods of farming and beekeeping as well conserving the honey bees. During the time of the pilot project, we also trained farmers in using the available resource to sustain their livelihood, while conserving the environment.