Last June, we hosted a knowledge-sharing webinar, focused on the African region. The Role of Intergenerational Approaches to Nature-Based Solutions implementation. With a rich diversity from the speakers; Biodiversity/ nature photographer, Community organizer, Youth Biodiversity implementer, and Conservation Researcher, the session was mind-blowing with lots of ideas to share. And the feedback? Amazing. For this, we wish to commit as always, to keep active conversations going, and to be on the frontlines of making a genuine case for youth & community leadership in the implementation processes. Did you miss the session? Find the recording here: Webinar Recording
But for now, as we look back and reminisce on the forum that was, we have put together below, some key learnings from our participants and Youth4Nature community. Enjoy:
Oluwaseun Adekugbe: Forester, Nigeria
The intergenerational approach to Nature-based solutions should get everyone, everyone here means across all age groups and gender involved in contributing to the implementation of conservation, restoration and the protection of nature. There's a need for people to work together to make a change that must happen now. There’s an ability in nature to help us and the youth people should be given more power and platforms to do what they can do and get others across all generations involved in the implementations of Nature based solutions.
Aiita Joshua Apamaku: Wildlife biologist, herpetologist, Uganda.
To me, this was a rewarding webinar. I gained a lot, and below are some of my highlights:
Nature based solutions present an interconnected pattern with regards to attaining the sustainable development goals; primarily focused on SDGs 1, 13, 14 and 15; Straying through the complementary roles of Agro-ecology, youth engagements, photographic inputs towards nature appreciation, wildlife conservation approaches to nature based solutions.
Collaborative Natural Resource Management has proved more successful as it gives a multi-disciplinary approach towards understanding the complexity revolving around the Nature Based Solutions space.
“Wildlife do not thrive on their own; it’s the role of people to conserve it” Anthony Ochieng, Wildlife photographer.
Unless we understand and appreciate the value underlying our wildlands, we are not any close to conserving them.
Kaluki Paul Mutuku: Environmental Scientist, Activist, Youth4Nature Regional Director for Africa, Kenya.
As one of the organizers for the webinar, I had hoped for the success of the session. Listening to the experts intervene and make a case for joint efforts was so fulfilling. Clearly, we cannot work in silos anymore, we all are interconnected, and we need each other in order to thrive. Further, we cannot overlook nature, including wildlife. Safeguarding biodiversity means safeguarding ourselves in the long-run. I am honored to have joined the knowledge-sharing webinar. I can only hope and trust that we get to host more of such inspiring and action-backed sessions in the coming days, and that we get to meaningfully incorporate nature, youth and our communities in the fight against the climate and ecological crises.
Leonard IYAMUREMYE: Environmental Activist, Wildlife Specialist & Ambassador of IUCN-PAPACO, Rwanda.
This webinar was a great school for me as a wildlife manager. It sharpened me in my career and knowing that we may always link wildlife conservation, NBS to communities' wellbeing.
Moreover, young people are the group who are the future's greatest change makers especially those who are engaged in Youth4Nature.
Finally, I was reminded by the different speakers that : it's very impactful to always say, teach and advocate about biodiversity conservation and climate change issues and roles of Nature based solutions everywhere I get a chance to speak out include: at school, Church, and different congregations.
Let me thank Youth4Nature for the greatest work they do.
Ibrahim Inusa: Founder, Nature Conservation Advocates for Climate Initiatives (NCACI) Nigeria.
This was a very interactive, inspiring and educating webinar with amazing experts/speakers around nature based solutions and regenerative agriculture that show us the key to Africa's vast culture and the advantages around us.
Special thanks to our co-host and moderators (Elujulo and Paul) who had been working tirelessly day and night to see that we (African Youths) are empowered to confront the challenges around our environments and nature crisis through the lens of NBS as we only have a decade to reverse the consequences of climate and nature destruction humanity has ever faced and as we are the last generation to restore, conserve and protect our only planet Earth not only for us but for the future generation to come..
The speakers across Africa and the world have shown us various ways youths can engage and design the intergenerational approach using various nature based climate solutions on ground to change the narrative as soon as possible as scientists and expats across the globe have proven that NBS can provide upto 30% of the global climate and nature crisis solution.
The time is now, because there is no better time than now!!!
Tomiwa Victor Oluwajuwon: Forester, Nigeria.
This was, to me, a productive session. Below are some of the key learnings I got from the expert speakers:
1.Anthony Ocheng;
Biodiversity is not just a way of life. It's actually our life, hence every human has significant parts to play in its conservation.
Mitigating measures to conservation should be all-round, not making positive impact in the forestry sector while involving in wildlife degradation on the other hand.
There is a need to identify and make necessary adjustments to the negative impacts of our past generations.
Biodiversity is complex. Everyone and every profession is linked to it, hence, a need for joint ameliorating measures.
Photography is an approach to wildlife management, waste management, rehabilitation of natural landscapes, amongst many other conservation means, as he applies that.
2.Derrick Mugisha:
Emphatically, there is a need to appreciate the youth in the conservation efforts.
Youth is not just about age, but the energy and zeal towards ensuring the sustenance of nature and biodiversity.
Youth should rise to placing demands on leaders for environmental manifestos and actions. Also, youth should mobilise other youths, engage in environmental project researches, and develop capacity to influence global discussion about the nature and its sustainable management. Meanwhile, the TIME is NOW!
3.Carol Bogezi:
The framing of conservation has over the years moved from 'Nature for itself' to 'People and Nature'.
An interdisciplinary approach to facilitating biodiversity conservation and investigating human-wildlife interactions is expedient. Such an approach will involve the study of the landscape, the human dimensions and the animal movement.
4.Leonida Odongo:
Agroecology is a nature-based approach to managing ecological relationships and enhancing biodiversity diversification, conservation and minimization of climate (and toxic) impacts. It brings agriculture in harmony with nature.
To actualise efficient global climate mitigation effects, it's imperative to engage several local climes. Climate change is a global issue yet it starts from the local scale, hence, an approach called "glocalization".
We believe in our collective power, in our individual responsibility, that to tackle both the climate and ecological crises, activities must be grounded in justice, backed by science, embracing local indigenous knowledge & frontlines communities efforts, without forgetting youth & nature. If you want to help us make our future fora better & as engaging, or suggest ways we can curate our sessions, please drop us an email here: hello@youth4nature.org, or follow us on Twitter/ Instagram below: