In the shadows of Mt Elgon National Park, many farmers had long believed they must choose between trees and food crops. They feared that trees are space-hungry competitors, and therefore cut them down to grow food. This led to loss of biodiversity, exposed solis to erosion, as well as exacerbated disasters like floods and landslides, which have claimed over 1000 lives in the last decade.  

Apart from the trade-off mindset, there was also a livelihood problem, over 95% of the people in the area depended on rain-fed agriculture as the only source of livelihood. Unfortunately, they were not spared by climate related disasters. This often left them with no options but resorting to exploitation of natural resources within the neigbouring park and community landscape. They cut down trees and poached game for short-term surviavl, but ultimately made the climate dissasters worse. 

In the face of this staggering human toll and loss of biodiversity, Bees and Trees emerged as a symbol of hope and innovation. It began as a modest idea in a gradutae room at Kampala’s Makerere University, blossoming into a dynamic force for change. United by a common vision of creating communities where people live in harmony, Samantha Natumanya  and Stephen Bright Sakwa, Masters students then decided to act. 

Their journet began with participation in a Student Nature Based Solutions Challenge organized by Wageningen University & Research in May 2022. Recognizing the severe loss of lives and biodiversity arounthe Mt. Elgon region, the duo sought a sustainable solution. They identified beekeeping as a viable alternative livelihood intertwined with environmental conservation, and applied for the NBS-Challenge. 

Selected among eight finalists from different countries, Bees and Trees secured crucial funding and mentorship. This support enabled them to introduce beekeeping as a sustainable income source while rejuvenating sections of the park and community landscape with indigenous trees. 

The incentives for farmers are compelling; the trees nourish the bees, the bees generate honey, and they offer a ready market for the honey, creating an additional revenue for farmers, a safety net during crop failure periods. This approach not only boosts their resilience but also reduces the depair that often drives farmers into encroaching on natural resources.

Evolving into a registered social enterprise, Bees and Trees offers tree-planting services to companies seeking impactful CSR initiatives in landscape restoration and climate change mitigatio, while also empowering young minds in the realm of green entrepreneurship.  

A fully-fledged value chain for honey and coffee has been established, underscoring their commitment to conservation and econimic growth. By purchasing these products from farmers and catering to end consumers, they have begun generating profits, extending employment opportunities to other young individuals along this value chain. Crucially, they ensure equitable compensation for farmers’ produce, thereby cementing both environmental stewardship and economic fairness.