CONSERVATION

We ensure that the region's people and wildlife coexist into the future

We instill the importance of conservation by teaching children about Uganda's unique wildlife and helping communities discover more sustainable ways of living.

For almost 30 years The Kasiisi Project has been a key contributor to the conservation of Kibale National Park. We recognize that for the forest's chimpanzees, elephants, pangolins and less charismatic fauna to survive, human behaviors and attitudes must change. With nearly half the Ugandan population under age 17, young people have a significant role to play in protecting the region's wildlife - now and in the future.

Our program primarily targets the 9,000 children attending 16 forest-edge primary schools. By encouraging incorporation of conservation and environmental education into the school curricula, and by incorporating experiential methods in our after-school programs, we help build knowledge, foster empathy for wildlife and encourage behavioral changes. Children then act as conduits to their communities. By linking our programs to research, school syllabuses and community needs, we can change attitudes and behavior in ways that have powerful, practical conservation benefits.

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Our legacy of expertise, innovation, trust, collaboration and results makes The Kasiisi Project a truly unique and trusted force for conservation.

WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSERVATION OF KIBALE NATIONAL PARK BY ADVANCING CONSERVATION EDUCATION, ENHANCING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

INSTILLING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION

The Kasiis Project designs, implements and evaluates diverse and successful conservation education programs in 16 forest-edge schools through 650 Wildlife Club members. Our results demonstrate significantly better knowledge of the environment, measurably improved attitudes towards local wildlife and increased conservation efforts in schools and communities.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ENSURING SUPPORT OF LOCAL PEOPLE

Long-term conservation depends on the support of local people. The Kasiisi Project is a trusted and respected partner in Kibale Forest communities.

SCIENCE

MEASURING CHANGE IN THE FOREST

Through our longstanding partnerships with leading researchers and organizations, we measure changes in human impact on the forest and chimpanzee health. We correlate these changes with our school and community engagement efforts.

OUR CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

SPARKING CAREER ASPIRATIONS

The long-term conservation of Kibale depends on the commitment and leadership of local communities, yet many young people are unaware that conservation can be a viable career path. In 2025, we continued connecting students with Ugandan conservationists through a “Career Day” model, aimed at sparking interest in conservation careers. At each school, speakers ranging from Uganda Wildlife Authority leadership, renowned conservationists, anti-poaching rangers and primate behavioral researchers shared presentations about their work, personal experiences, and professional journeys. They also engaged with students through Q&A sessions and hands-on, themed activities. At the start of the year, around 22% of students expressed interest in pursuing a conservation career, but by the end of the year, that figure had doubled to 45%, highlighting the effectiveness of the initiative.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

FUEL-EFFICIENT COOKSTOVES

Over the past decade, we have trained thousands of students to construct improved cookstoves through our Wildlife Clubs, leading to their widespread adoption in local homes and communities. These stoves have significantly reduced fuelwood consumption and improved household health outcomes.

While patients queue for services at our mobile clinics, members from our Conservation Education team demonstrated how to construct improved cookstoves to local community members. This integrated approach has expanded conservation education and addressed a key deforestation driver in the collection of fuelwood.

SCIENCE

HEALTHY CHILDREN, HEALTHY CHIMPS

This pilot project was launched in three schools, where we provided handwashing stations and hand hygiene education. Within just one year, we observed a 33% reduction in respiratory symptoms among students compared to before the intervention. Encouraged by these promising results, and in thanks to Los Angeles Zoo and Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, we expanded our handwashing efforts to three more schools and incorporated the program into our mobile clinics in 2025. While waiting for services, community members learned proper handwashing and how to construct and maintain tippy taps, and 45 local village health volunteers (VHTs) were trained to continue promoting these practices. Follow-up surveys showed strong uptake: out of 1,017 households, 518 now have tippy taps, reflecting substantial adoption of improved handwashing practices following the campaign.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

FIELD TRIPS

To foster a greater appreciation for their unique environments, we arrange for students and teachers to visit national parks and off-site conservation facilities.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

WILDLIFE CLUBS

Our after-school Wildlife Clubs provide students with an opportunity to learn about the wildlife of Kibale through hands-on activities that promote learning and foster pro-conservation attitudes and leadership. In 2025, we enrolled 670 members, and, in line with our research and conservation priorities, our curriculum focused on conservation careers, Improved Cookstoves, One Health, and chimpanzee conservation. Additionally, students also helped organize school celebrations to mark World Chimpanzee Day and World Elephant Day.

In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.

- Baba Dioum, 1968

WHAT THEY SAY

I thank the wildlife club for encouraging my daughter to conserve the environment and she has also influenced her siblings to conserve it.
PARENT

Since my son joined the wildlife club he is concerned so much on conserving the environment that he is planting trees at home.
PARENT

We appreciate for the work done in training the children who come and sensitize people in the village concerning the environment.
PARENT

Since my daughter joined the wildlife club she has gained more knowledge concerning the environment, that's why she's eager to plant trees in holidays.
PARENT

The wildlife club is good because it teaches children good morals, and also impacts them with skills not only to use in class but also to apply practically, like building cook stoves.
PARENT

I was so happy when he planted passion fruits, coffee and pumpkins as he got the ideas from the wildlife club.
PARENT

The Kasiisi Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the Kasiisi Project are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Kasiisi Project's tax identification number is 54-2195079.