As our inaugural effort, Bees & Trees Uganda (formerly Bees for Hope) entered Wageningen University & Research’s Nature-Based Solutions Challenge and was selected among eight finalists from eight countries to receive seed funding and mentorship in June 2022. The project aimed to create alternative livelihoods while building a culture of coexistence with nature among park-adjacent households.
In Bududa District—Bushika Subcounty (Bubungi and Munyende villages)—we delivered a practical restoration and livelihoods package to neighbors of the park. After hands-on training in beekeeping and landscape stewardship, two groups received:
• 30 modern beehives for initial installation near the park
• Training for 60 community representatives in apiary management
• 1000 trees to help restore degraded sections of the park
This collaboration jump-started sustainable income streams, strengthened local conservation leadership, and set the foundation for Bees & Trees’ ongoing restoration work.