Wild Connection

Tackling Poaching with Alex Ngabiano

Uganda has made great strides in conservation of its wildlife, notably mountain gorillas, but also the captive breeding and ultimate goal of reintroduction of rhinos back into the system. Uganda has also developed a model of profit sharing and others, like my guest Alex Ngabirano founder and CEO of Bwindi Development Network, an anti poaching organization, are taking the lead to create economic alternatives and education programs through community led decisions.  

To follow Alex and the work of the Bwindi Development Network you can connect with them on their website:

https://bwindidevelopmentnetwork.org/

Facebook

Twitter

And you can read some of Alex's articles on Medium

If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

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Sitting with the Batwa

Last week climate refugees came up and this week it’s time to talk about conservation refugees. Many Indigenous communities are losing their ancestral lands for conservation. This week's guest is one of the Indigenous Batwa clan leaders currently living in Buhoma in a settlement at the edge of his former home, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

It was an honor and a privilege to sit with him and his community to talk about who they are as a people, what life used to be like, and what they are hoping for in their future. During our interview, the rains came so you’ll hear how heavy the rains were toward the end. If you want to see one of the Batwa traditional dances you can see it here.

If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

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Climate Policy with John Kasiita Ssemulema

This episode continues my Voices of Uganda series that is part of my Fulbright, since I am well, in Uganda. Back home in the US this week there is a climate change trial unfolding in the unlikeliest of places- Montana. What does this mean, a climate change trial?  In this case it is 16 young people that have sued the State of Montana over their reckless endangerment of their future. The case, Held v. Montana, is grounded in Montana’s constitution. You see, Montana guarantees its citizens  the right to a clean and healthful environment You can check out a link to the Yale article  for a more detailed look at the case. 

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/06/inside-the-unexpectedly-wild-landmark-montana-youth-climate-trial/

This case though, ties directly to my guest this week. Born and raised in Kampala John Kasiita Semulema has had an impact well beyond Uganda’s borders. Today Kampala is nothing like it was when he grew up. It still had wildlife and was more like a village than the bustling, hectic, crowded city of today. Change is inevitable and nowhere is that more evident than with the climate. He speaks from a point of view as a Ugandan that grew up there and experienced a deep connection to nature and changes in the environment and now as an accomplished climate policy advisor also speaks from a global perspective. 

If you want to connect with John, you can find him on LinkedIn

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You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on 

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Community Led Development with Paul Muhwezi

Voices of Uganda continues this week with Paul Muhwezi. Last episode featured Apophia Asiimwe, a local bird guide. Paul is someone that has worked on behalf of the Buhoma community, has seen the community grow and change, and seen how it has benefitted from tourism. He is on the board of the Buhoma Community Development Association and he is the general manager for lodges, the Rest Camp and Haven Lodge. 

One of the many goals is economic empowerment of the community. If you want to learn more about the Buhoma Community Development Association and stay at Haven Lodge (highly recommended) visit their website at: www.buhomacommunityug.com

If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

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Birding in Bwindi with Apophia

Today's guest, Apophia Asiimwe, is a local bird guide sharing the wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and all the birds it has to offer. You can find her on Facebook and book directly with her. 

If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. Thanks for listening and you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealdrJen and the show @wildconnectpod 

Tourism with Gerard Iga

Welcome back to Wild Connection the Podcast. My Fulbright series  Voices of Uganda continues this week with Mandela Washington Fellow, business owner and entrepreneur Gerard Iga. One thing that folks may not recognize about Uganda is its diversity of natural spaces, wildlife, and culture. Perhaps that is why it’s called the Pearl of Africa.

Gerard specializes in giving visitors a rich and diverse experience of Uganda, sharing his love of his country with others. He is passionate about tourism and community development and is the owner of Lado Tours specializing in connecting natural resources and cultural resources with conservation, while uplifting communities. Now we had a few sound issues with people talking in the background periodically, so apologies for that.

If you want to keep up with Gerard or book him for a tour here are various ways to get in touch:

Lado Tours

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on 

Twitter: @realdrjen

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Protecting Bwindi with Nelson Guma

This week we are continuing our species series Voices of Uganda with none other than the Chief Warden of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Nelson Guma. We will be talking about what’s so special about Bwindi, what is threatening this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and what it’s like to be in charge of a biodiversity hotspot that is now on CNNs top 20 places to visit.

You can follow Nelson on Twitter @NelsonGuma and connect with the Uganda Wildlife Authority @ugwildlife

If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @realdrJen and follow the show @wildconnectpod

 

Wildlife Divas with Lisa Randolph

Hi everyone and welcome back to Wild Connection the Podcast. As many of you know I am coming to you live from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda where I am currently a Fulbright Scholar. Part of my Fulbright was creating a special series voices of Uganda. 

My guest today is Lisa Randolph, author of a marvelous book, The Wildlife Divas Adventure Team: Saving the Endangered Mountain Gorilla. You can keep up with Lisa and the Wildlife Divas on her website and purchase a coy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can also connect with her on Facebook  Instagram Twitter or LinkedIn

If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. You can follow me on Twitter @realdrJen and the show @wildconnectpod

Walking with Gorillas with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

This week’s guest is Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. She is the founder of Conservation Through Public Health, the author of a new book, Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, and currently a finalist for the Indianapolis Prize.

In this episode we talk about her work with the endangered mountain gorillas, her book, which details her journey, and what the future holds for this species. 

For more information on book events check out the latest newsletter.

If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on 

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There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

Listening to Salmon with Ken Whelan

My guest this week is Ken Whelan, the Research Director for the Atlantic Salmon Trust. Not only is the work he and others doing revealing just how special salmon are, but his love of fish and commitment to reconnecting communities with the nature all around them is work that we need more of. As you’ll hear, we met at COP26 under a sea of salmon. Enjoy!

 

If you want to keep up with Ken you can follow him @kenwhelan0451

You can check out his website and all the courses he is running here and explore all of the incredible work going on at the Atlantic Salmon Trust. 

You can subscribe to the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on 

Twitter: @realdrjen

Instagram: @readrjen

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen