Mr. Abigaba John, a land-owner in western Uganda, has witnessed deforestation around his village for decades. This inspired him to protect a portion of his land for many years to come.
This piece of land is of particular importance because it is a remnant of Kibale National Forest's historical extent- an exceptionally diverse rain forest that is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, and home to 13 (!) species of primates. The fragment supports four primate species and a few dozen bird species, as well as other small mammals, reptiles, and insects. "Conservation, in the near and far future, will depend on our ability to identify habitats that are capable of sustaining viable populations of wildlife, and to protect these habitats from degradation" Mr. Abigaba has welcomed a group of primate researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara into the fragment to study how well they adapt to the recovering landscape, a pilot study that could become a model for wildlife conservation in forest fragments- the stark reality of most forest-dwelling species in the future. Working alongside the researchers, we began planting native fruiting trees to provide food resources for the wildlife, in the hopes of creating a migration corridor to the larger protected forest for the animals to roam freely. We are working to create a symbiotic relationship between the community and the wildlife in the area. At Turaco Trails we are strategically exploring businesses that will fulfill many purposes surrounding eco-tourism: sale of locally-produced souvenirs, commodities, and goods. Our butterfly farm is an excellent way to learn about one of the most dense and diverse butterfly populations in the world, as well as watch each stage in the life cycle of a butterfly. We hope to encourage the community to set up businesses around the forest which will provide personal income to those involved in conservation, as well as educate, integrate, and support the surrounding community- fostering a sense of communal responsibility for forest and wildlife preservation. We hope that these businesses will also enhance ecotourism providing a space for all ages to experience the reserve, as many eco-tourism spots around the country explicitly restrict tours to adults only. We welcome you to come see and experience the native wildlife and the local culture, while supporting the our community and helping us take strides towards protecting the forest for future generations! |