This is part of a short series for International Youth Day that is looking at how young people see, understand, and are acting for and with forests.
Plant Trees for Our Future
I found myself in the field of wildlife management accidentally, as i got a scholarship after completing my secondary school education. I enjoyed learning many environmental science courses at my college which inspired me to realize that i am a change maker and leader of the present, not the future.
Forests are the major source of life. Because of this, I started a forests and trees planting campaign in my village, where I mobilized other young people and children in my community to plant at over 500 trees last season. These included native trees, commercial forest trees, and agroforestry plants like gaujava plants, and figs, to both increase forest cover and fight malnutrition without forgetting ecosystem services provided by them.
We planted all this not for ourselves but for our neighbours. Each household now has at least 5 plants from us. I was able to teach children, youth and elders the role of trees and forests, any why forest conservation is crucial. When you plant even one tree, you have the power to influence so many people; indeed, you can influence life all over the world.
I am now calling for youth in Rwanda, Africa, and all over the world to speak up, take action, and conserve the forests we have. If every young person planted 5 trees, we would make a big impact in addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis. We would do this for ourselves, and for the wildlife that we share this planet with. And I call on governments, NGOs, the private sector, to do all you can to empower youth in to plant trees for our future.
About the Author:
Leonard Iyamuremye is a Rwandan young environmental activist and wildlife defender. He has volunteered as an IUCN-PAPACO ambassador, is a Youth4Nature Ambassador, and a member of YOUNGO.