UNITE for the Environment

Michelle Slavin – North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, USA

The North Carolina Zoo's UNITE for the Environment programme in Uganda has been working with communities around Kibale National Park since 2001. Kibale National Park is a world-famous reserve and home to East Africa's largest population of chimpanzees as well as the region's highest density of primates. UNITE's mission is to conserve wild areas in and around Kibale National Park by promoting environmentally sound attitudes, knowledge and skills of people living in the area. UNITE provides teachers with conservation education trainings and materials that allow them to effectively convey conservation messages to their students. UNITE emphasises student-centred teaching methods while teaching basic environmental knowledge and environmental activities and games that can be integrated into Uganda's national curriculum. Since its inception, UNITE has reached over 130 teachers and has promoted innovative ways to teach rural communities about conservation and the environment. By helping educate teachers and, in turn, young people about environmental issues and giving them the skills to make informed decisions, we are helping to ensure the future of one of Africa's most important national parks.

UNITE_1 Out of the classroom and into the forest: One of UNITE's newest initiatives is providing field trips to natural areas for students in rural schools. Although these children live next to one of Africa's most visited national parks, most have never visited the park without taking from it. Field trips take students to places like Kibale National Park (where they learn about its rich biodiversity and the need for protection of this unique ecosystem), a wetland sanctuary (where they get the chance to learn about ecosystem services and see wildlife) and a botanical garden (where they study the medicinal properties of plants and herbs). Exposing students to the natural wonders around them and educating them about the interdependence of all living things helps promote the conservation of wildlife and wild spaces. UNITE also works with staff at each of these natural areas, providing professional development that offers teaching strategies and inquiry-based learning techniques geared to enhance the experience of visiting school children. Close to 1,500 students participate in the field trips each year.

Movies for conservation: Films can be a powerful way to convey environmental messages. In 2010 UNITE partnered with Nature for Kids (a Dutch organisation that produces child-focused short movies about environmental issues) to translate four films and associated educational materials into Rutooro, the local language of our Ugandan students. Screenings of the films have been conducted in each of the UNITE communities. For many of the students, these were the first movies they had ever seen. Students and teachers have responded enthusiastically and are learning how their actions can protect the natural resources upon which they depend. After seeing the films, many students spontaneously organised environmentally friendly activities such as village clean-ups.

UNITE_2 Uganda's first Earth Day: In a monumental accomplishment, UNITE organised Uganda's first Earth Day celebration in 2010. Hosted at Bigodi Primary School, over 1,500 people attended the event. Guests were treated to environmental songs, dances, poems and plays presented by students and local dance and drama groups. Participants enjoyed walks in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, nature movies, tree planting and demonstrations of fuel-efficient stove building, wind energy and solar oven cooking.

Collaborations: UNITE believes strongly in partnerships and is a founding member of the Kibale Forest Coalition for Conservation Education, which is comprised of 16 organisations working within five kilometres of Kibale National Park. UNITE also works closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Kamwenge District Education Office as well as numerous schools in the United States.