Early progress in tree planting - NL #12

Mar 9

March 9, 2025

Hello everyone,

As we continue on our journey with Ski Club Uganda, we've got updates in our mission to promote skiing and reforestation in Uganda.

Let’s dive in!

Fundraising news and Board growth

We did it! Thank you so much to Barbara Ritschel and Bjorn Knollmann, who individually donated $500, so now we have raised $1,467. This covers our operating costs for the year! So now, future donations will be going towards project costs for June and beyond. Also, thanks to an introduction from our donor Nubia Echevarria, we're thrilled to welcome John Porter as a new board member, bringing valuable nonprofit leadership experience.

Strategic Shift on Fund use

RTS Partnership and Community Focus: We're pleased to announce that our partners, Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS), can handle most costs for tree planting materials and volunteer meals themselves. This means Ski Club Uganda’s funds will be used to first - cover remaining costs - then be used to drive community engagement and awareness about tree planting. We’re organizing a community event in June, that includes local food vendors, a drama club performance, local government representatives, and local TV coverage. We're also exploring the possibility of involving the US ambassador to amplify our impact. The goal is to inspire local participation in ongoing reforestation projects, ensuring a sustainable future for the community. We’re integrating this event with our scientific research, as follows…

Research and Scientific Involvement

Advancements in Research: Dr. Sarah Ivory's team has successfully created a research prospectus and applied for research permits, and we're excited to welcome three students (two PhD and one undergraduate) on our June trip. Dr. Bob Nakileza is planning to bring a group of potentially 20-30 Ugandan students too! We're planning surveys to understand community perceptions of tree planting and developing data collection methods for tree planting sites. The surveys will be incorporated into the public event. This research will be invaluable in informing what we do after June, and ensuring that our efforts are both effective and sustainable.

Tree Nursery Progress (from Uganda)

Seedlings are already getting planted: Brian from RTS reports that we have 10,000 bamboo seedlings and 30,000 other tree seedlings in progress. Our ambitious goal is to have over 70,000 seedlings ready by the June trip. We're also considering long-term sustainability and maintenance strategies for the planted trees, ensuring that our efforts yield lasting benefits for the environment.

Team Structure Reorganization

Single leader to multiple leaders: So far the organization has been organized mostly by Florian via individual conversations. We’re changing to let team leaders take on more responsibility and creativity in their key areas. These are: strategic partnerships, communications/social media, fundraising, operations, scientific research, and project planning. This change is forming smaller teams based on interests and strengths, and we're considering expanding our board to include leaders of new working groups. This reorganization will help us work more efficiently and effectively. Morgan is implementing the Asana project management tool to help us track tasks transparently.

Documentary and Media

Spreading Awareness: Max is conducting interviews with Ski Club Uganda members and past participants, and we're planning to create engaging reels and content to spread awareness about our mission. Huge thank you to Nicole Dreon and Brody Leven for saying yes and joining us for their interview!! If anybody else is interested in meeting with us, please reply here. This will not only help us reach a wider audience but also inspire more people to join our cause.

Next Steps

Team Survey: We’re doing a survey of our team members to identify people’s interests and strengths, which will help us form effective working groups.
Asana Implementation: We'll be implementing Asana for project management and task distribution to enhance our collaboration and productivity.
Budget Development: We're getting a detailed budget and breakdown from RTS for the June event and activities to ensure transparency and set clear fundraising goals.
Accommodation Clarification: We'll provide clear information on accommodation options and deadlines for June trip participants soon. Waiting on package costs from Remmy at RTS.
Mission and Vision Refinement: We'll revisit and finalize Ski Club Uganda's mission and vision statements to align with our evolving goals. Make it clear for everyone.
Working Groups Formation: Based on the survey results, we'll form working groups that align with our identified pillars and interests.
Pursuing Strategic Partnerships: We’re looking to continue pursuing partnerships with the institutions like Middlebury College, the US embassy in Uganda, and notable Ski Brands like Patagonia.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.

We’re now at an exciting point! We can support ourselves… and dedicate ourselves to our mission:
- promoting skiing in Uganda while its still possible, and helping the community transition to a future without the glacier by planting trees that benefit them long term.
To do so, we’re creating ongoing volunteer & student research opportunities around tree planting in Kilembe Uganda.

Bear with us as we tighten this mission statement!

Donate to Support Our Mission: If you're able to contribute financially, please consider donating via our link. Every donation helps us achieve our goals and make a positive impact in Uganda.

Thanks everyone,

Florian Knollmann
President, Ski Club Uganda ‘24