Environmental Defenders (ED)

Taking part in the My Digital Security Opener training was a valuable and practical learning experience. The training strengthened my understanding of digital security risks and how to protect myself, my information, and my organization while using digital platforms. I gained useful knowledge on creating strong passwords, identifying phishing attempts, protecting sensitive information, and practicing safer online communication. The sessions also increased my awareness of the digital threats faced by human rights defenders and the importance of responsible technology use. I now feel prepared to apply safer digital practices in my daily work and share the knowledge.

In 2017, I got a chance to travel outside my country, Uganda. First of all, I was so excited to travel. I love travelling and I was travelling by bus from my rural district of Hoima then, through Kampala to Arusha of Tanzania. I had been selected with other 29 Ugandans to attend a youth leadership training. While there, I met many other young people from East Africa and we discussed many issues including challenges and how we could position ourselves as young people to reduce on the challenges young people face. Besides that, I had to maximize my interaction with many young people from Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda. I learnt lessons. Good lessons such as better communication, positioning myself for different opportunities. I learnt how to "stand out of the crowd" always. Most importantly, I learnt how to respect different people with cultures different from mine. I equally, tasted different kinds of dishes. Yes, I love eating sweet food and the food I tasted during my all trip was the best. All in all, This was my best of the best ever experiences.

My internship at Environmental Defenders was an amazing and rewarding experience. I gained practical skills in tree nursery management, seed banking, indigenous tree identification, bird identification, GPS mapping, and tree planting. The team provided valuable guidance and helped me connect my classroom knowledge with real conservation work. I improved my teamwork, communication, and fieldwork skills while learning more about biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to protecting nature. I would highly recommend this experience to students interested in conservation and environmental management.

Photos

It was incredibly an enriching experience to gain hands-on experience in conservation work from the field activities especially in the reserves that protect important landscape and biodiversity. The staffs where supportive and easy to work for time I was there...Though interms of technicality as far as conservation work is concerned, it was lacking and would love if technical qualified personnels who are knowledgeable about conservation and has understanding of biodiversity of local area to be stationed in the reserves where the field work are done to offer guidance and help in technical aspects. The pre departure communication is excellent but it's quite different once at the site and I think this could be improved by having weekly reports assignments and reports and should be followed closely.. The health can be improved in especially in the reserves where atleast a medical personnel assigned during periods of field works to provide emergency services incase of accidents..

Videos

I spent one month at the Nyamukino site with two of my colleagues and the rangers, conducting rapid assessments and documenting species. It was an exciting and unforgettable experience that deepened my appreciation for nature and conservation. One of the most memorable parts of my experience was conducting transect walks with my colleagues, identifying and documenting different species. The unarmed rangers were incredibly knowledgeable about the local environment, and their rich indigenous knowledge made our fieldwork even more rewarding. Their passion and commitment to conservation were truly inspiring. The experience also gave me the opportunity to encounter bird species I had previously known only from books and theory, including the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. These moments brought my classroom knowledge to life and strengthened my passion for biodiversity conservation. The evening patrols with the unarmed rangers were special, allowing me to appreciate the aesthetic value of nature while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting it. My sincere gratitude goes to the management of Environmental Defenders for their remarkable work, continued efforts in environmental restoration, and commitment to raising environmental awareness. I am grateful to have been part of this experience, and the memories and lessons I gained at Nyamukino will remain with me for a long time

Photos

My experience was positive, informative, and worthwhile. I appreciated the opportunity to learn new things, improve my understanding, and gain valuable knowledge that I can apply in the future. The process was generally smooth, and the experience helped me appreciate the importance of continuous learning and improvement. Overall, I am satisfied with the experience and would recommend it to others who may benefit from a similar oppo

Photos

The internship provided valuable practical experience in biodiversity surveys, habitat assessment, plant identification and wildlife observation at Got Arana and Nyamukino reserves. It strengthened my fieldwork skills and improved my understanding of biodiversity conservation and environmental management. The living arrangements provided an opportunity to adapt to the field environment and develop flexibility. Although adjusting to a different routine presented some challenges, the experience contributed positively to my personal development. The internship helped me appreciate the importance of cooperation between conservation organisations and local communities. It highlighted the role of community participation in promoting environmental awareness and protecting natural resources. Safety was an important consideration during field activities, particularly in remote wildlife habitats. Access to healthcare was also a concern because medical facilities could be far from some field locations. The experience emphasized the importance of timely access to medical assistance. Security was available through the rangers. Overall, my internship at Environmental Defenders was a rewarding learning experience that enhanced my practical skills, personal development and appreciation of conservation work. It provided valuable exposure to field research and the realities of environmental management.

Photos

There is a difference between studying conservation in a classroom and experiencing it with your own hands. For me, this experience at the reserve was truly a first time for everything, and I enjoyed every bit of it. From collecting, drying, and handling seeds to working in seedbeds, learning about seed banking, and participating in tree planting and restoration, I got to experience the practical side of conservation that I had previously studied in theory. I began to appreciate the work, patience, and care that go into growing indigenous trees and restoring degraded landscapes. Wildlife monitoring was equally exciting, especially following the black-and-white colobus monkeys. Seeing animals interact in their natural habitats was fascinating and reminded me why protecting ecosystems matters. Beyond the conservation activities, living in nature was an experience I will always cherish. Waking up to the sound of birds, breathing fresh air, and being surrounded by nature brought me a kind of happiness that is difficult to describe. Every day offered something new to observe, learn, and appreciate.And for me who likes taking pictures of nature,this was it for me.My phone was filled with pictures of beautiful scenery. This experience reminded me that conservation is not just something we study,it is something we experience, practise, and commit ourselves to. I came away with new practical skills, beautiful memories, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Sometimes, you may know something in theory, but nothing compares to doing it for the first time. And for me, this was a season of firsts, growth, discovery and joy.