Importance of partnerships in meeting wildlife conservation targets

In the cover photo, five organizations are represented, that is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education (UWEC), The Jane Goodall Institute (Global) represented by Dr. Jane Goodall, The Jane Goodall Institute Uganda (represented by Mr. James Byamukama and Dr. Peter Apell, Wildlife Clubs of Uganda (WCU) represented by Dr. Taddeo Rusoke and the Chimpanzee Trust represented by Dr. Joshua Rukundo. The Chimpanzee Trust manages the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (CSWCT) which manages fifty-two orphaned chimps on the island in the middle of Lake Victoria Uganda.

On the 24th of August 2023, UWEC, WCU, and JGI partnered to establish a Roots and Shoots Tripartite Office to scale up Roots and Shoots activities as a national program to enhance environmental education among learners in schools in Uganda.

Briefs about partnering organizations"

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary a.k.a Chimpanzee Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) is home to 52 Orphaned chimpanzees that need your support through donations or visit Ngamba as a tourist. Most chimpanzees are rescued from illegal dealers or confiscated from poachers. The Island and Field Offices in Hoima District are managed/ directed by Dr. Joshua Rukundo who serves as the Executive Director of the Trust.

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) promotes understanding and protection of great apes and their habitat and builds on the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, our founder, to inspire individual action by young people of all ages to help animals, other people and to protect the world we all share. Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a worldwide community-centered conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall in over 30 countries.

Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) has evolved from just displaying animals to visitors to playing a vital role in conservation. UWEC has the mandate to breed species that are at risk of extinction in the wild. This role enables the entity to build a healthy animal population as a backup for endangered species. The UWEC Act, 2015 mandates UWEC to; undertake Conservation Education, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and breeding of endangered animal species among other mandates.

Wildlife Clubs of Uganda (WCU)

Founded in 1975, the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda (WCU) is a country-wide association of young people’s environmental clubs that are committed to the conservation of Uganda’s natural heritage and the wise use of environmental resources. WCU was founded in 1975 as a non-religious and non-political association that does not discriminate in its membership based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or political differences.

Motto

Conserving Wildlife and the Environment!

Mission

The mission of the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda is to educate the population to ensure the sustainable use of Uganda’s natural resources and to conserve the country’s wildlife heritage for the present and future generations.

Objectives of WCU

The Wildlife Clubs of Uganda aims to:

?????? i.???????? To cultivate a desire for environmental conservation amongst the people of Uganda and East Africa as a whole.

???? ii.???????? To promote the appreciation and scientific study of the country’s wildlife and the environment.

??? iii.???????? To promote the realization of the economic, recreational, and aesthetic values of the country’s natural resources.

??? iv.???????? To improve cooperation with other organizations having similar objectives both inside and outside Uganda.

WCU main activities

Since 1975 WCU has been leading in conservation education to help Uganda’s future leaders understand nature and increase their ability to use resources wisely. Some of WCU's programs and activities include annual competitions, wildlife club conventions, mobile education, wildlife camps, conservation seminars and workshops, and publications, regreening schools, establishing tree nursery beds, nature talks, excursions, among others.

Membership of WCU

WCU’s membership, which started as school groups, has now grown to include honorary members, Associate members, adult groups, and corporate members. School members include primary schools, secondary schools, and tertiary institutions.

The power of partnerships in achieving wildlife conservation targets

It is only by working together that we can conserve our planet and sustain all life on it. Partnerships allow for the sharing of knowledge, pooling of resources, and concerted action towards shared goals. They can also help reconcile differences between stakeholders and produce much-needed new ideas and solutions.

In 1960, Jane Goodall entered the forests of what is now Gombe National Park, Tanzania, to study chimpanzees in the wild. Since her pioneering research in Gombe, it has now become the site of one of the longest continuously running and detailed wild animal studies in history at the Gombe Stream Research Center. To excel in her work of chimpanzee protection through conservation and research, Dr. Jane Goodall and her institutes work with organizations such as:

• Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
• Population Matters.
• Roots & Shoots.
• Rotary International.
• Save Me Trust.
• Save the Elephants.
• WildAid.

The Wildlife Clubs of Uganda (WCU) works with UWEC, JGI, CSWCT, United States Forest Service, African Wildlife Foundation, Conservation Through Public Health, Uganda Wildlife Authority, International Crane Foundation, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Mojo Streaming to realize her mandate of environmental education and public awareness in Uganda.

The only way to achieve conservation targets is through partnerships and enhancing collaboration with both Indigenous Peoples and local communities and businesses. Partnerships can facilitate big changes across vast geographical areas on a scale and at a speed that would be impossible if each partner worked alone.

Can partnerships and collaboration ensure long-term sustainability?

Partnerships and collaboration are crucial for achieving long-term sustainability in conservation efforts, by promoting continuity and stability. Environmental challenges are often long-lasting and require ongoing monitoring, research, and adaptive management.

Partnerships on a global scale

Partnerships are envisioned under SD17. SDG 17 is a vision for improved and more equitable trade, as well as coordinated investment initiatives to promote sustainable development across borders. SDG17 envisions partnerships for the Goals. SDG 17 focuses on collaborations between and within nations, as a means of realizing the other 16 goals. Despite the challenges that Ugandans have with SDG 17, the country has made a small and unsteady improvement in its Statistical Performance Index (SPI).

Dr. Taddeo Rusoke (Ph.D.) is a Conservation Scientist and Researcher, he is the current Executive Director of Wildlife Clubs of Uganda and a Board Member representing sub-Saharan Africa at the Global Centre for Risk and Innovation.

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