Budongo Conservation Field Station Celebrating 20 years of research, training and conservation
Budongo Forest Project With initial funding from ODA, VR started BFP Chimpanzee research was the focus of BFP Maintained low staffing levels and community interactions From ODA to NORAD and now, RZSS Progressively, BFP has expanded its interests from research to training and conservation
Why the transition from BFP to BCFS? The big question: WHO IS BFP? BFP was not a legally recognised institution Makerere University was reluctant to take up legal ownership of BFP 2007: BCFS was legally registered as a local NGO Mandate to conduct research, training and conservation Area of jurisdiction was Hoima and Masindi NGO certificate was renewed for a further three years in 2008 with a mandate to operate country wide 2007: BCFS developed its first ever five year strategic plan
BCFS Strategic Plan 2007 - 2011 Objectives • To undertake scientific investigations into forest biodiversity and evolutionary biology; • To provide research and training facilities for relevant institutions; • To work in partnership with statutory organisations to protect the forest; • To work in partnership with local communities on conservation projects
BCFS Strategic Plan 2007 - 2011 Strategic plan activities • Research • Monitoring trends in biodiversity and threats to the forest • Community Conservation • Training and education • Information dissemination • Infrastructure development
Funding Others: Oakland Zoo, Leverhulme Trust, USAID, Mohamed Bin Zayed
Activities: Research • Individual research projects • Primate behaviour and ecology • Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on forest biodiversity • Utilisation of NTFPs
Activities: Monitoring trends in biodiversity Primate and ungulate surveys Chimpanzee locations Red duiker locations
Percentage of fruiting trees (%) Activities: Monitoring trends in biodiversity • Permanent sample plot monitoring • Tree phenology • Bird population (starting January 2011) Percentage of fruiting trees in BFR
Activities: Monitoring threats to biodiversity Snare and illegal activity patrol Programme • Approx 200 snares per month • Patrol covers 30% of forest
Hunted species’ distribution Bush pig Blue duiker
Activities: Training and education Recess term practical training for undergraduates Internship forestry and veterinary medicine students Special interest groups’ training Research support for post graduate and undergraduate students Field course in applied ecology and conservation Staff development
Activities: Information dissemination Publications (Journals papers, books and book chapters) Theses and dissertations Reports Seminars What we know about Budongo Back to Budongo: Latest book by Prof Vernon Reynolds 20 year compilation of publications from BCFS
Conservation initiatives Mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts National Chimpanzee health monitoring Alternatives for NTFPs (Raphia palm)
Activities: Community Conservation Community education programme Support to local schools (Library) Anti-snaring program (ex-hunters)
Infrastructure Development From a sawmill to a conservation field station Alfriston House (July 2006) Alfriston House (June 2007)
Infrastructure Development Increased capacity for resident researchers Improved water and electricity supply Laboratory establishment Herbarium and museum establishment Library expansion Improved communication (walkie-talkies, internet)
Looking ahead • Partnership development • • Infrastructure development • Research diversification – research associates? • Development of training facilities • Conservation projects
Acknowledgements Prof Vernon Reynolds Royal Zoological Society of Scotland National Forestry Authority Oakland Zoo Jane Goodall Institute – Uganda Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, MUK St Andrews University Local communities Dedicated staff and researchers at BCFS Others: UWA, UNCST, NFC, WCS, USAID, Oregon Zoo, NGS, NORAD, ODA/DFID, Alfriston community
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