Wild Places

The Victoria Nile in Jinja, is an important riparian wildlife corridor which is threatened by invasive water hyacinth, deforestation and illegal cultivation. Farm tree diversity in the wider landscape has also been lost. Bubugo Conservation Trust’s project works with rural communities regenerating the land in a way that sustainably benefits them, and re-establishes a functioning riverbank ecosystem.  2 km of the riverbank will be restored by planting 3,600 native trees with community benefit (eg for fruit), protecting natural regeneration of native trees, and re-establishing papyrus reed beds. Invasive water hyacinth will be removed and used to weave products, with 10-15 people being trained in this alternative livelihood. Community groups will plant 15,000 trees on farms, to restore soils and deliver benefits to households. As the river banks regenerate, 3 new tourism offerings will be formalised, walking trails established and guides trained, building on existing tourism interest from the white water features of the river.

In 2017, a striking new hummingbird species was discovered in the high-elevation páramo grasslands of the Chilla Mountain range. With a population of just 80-110 adults, the Blue-throated Hillstar, is Critically Endangered, due to the loss and degradation of its habitat.  Only very few of its habitat patches remaining and in recent years, adventure seekers, rock climbers and other tourists have discovered this remote area, favouring the same localities this bird roosts and nests. Together with its partner organization Fundación Jocotoco, Habitats Foundation will support the local community in developing and implementing a sustainable tourism plan, to conserve the hummingbird and deliver alternative income sources for local families. 15 local community members will be trained as guides and hosts for tourists, and more will compensated for restoring 14 hectares of priority habitat, with over 5,000 shrubs of 10 key foraging plant species for the hummingbirds.

People from all over the world come to interact with natural mountain environments, either for skiing, mountain-biking, hiking or simply discovering its exceptional panoramas. Where there is human activity, there is littering and this endangers species and habitats. In Switzerland and Italy, this includes fish, birds, ibex, chamois, goats, marmots and various plants and flowers. Litter represents a direct threat to humans as well – plastic in particular breaks down into smaller microplastics and can enter the food chain. Through water, Europe’s mountains are directly connected to the oceans meaning litter in the mountains impacts on more ecosystems than just the mountain itself.  Summit Foundation will organise 90 clean-up events in 2024 and 2025 in Switzerland and Italy, involving approximately 4500 people and resulting in 9.9 tons of rubbish being removed from the mountains.