Rooted in Progress - NL #21

Hi friends!

As the seasons shift, so does our work in Kilembe. With your support, Ski Club Uganda continues to put down strong roots….quite literally.
This month we’re celebrating progress, preparing for new research, and inviting you to help carry us the rest of the way to our goal.

1. Almost There: A Fundraising Milestone

We’ve raised $1,650 of our $2,400 goal!!!!!!!!!!
A major step in keeping this project growing!

Each contribution supports on‑the‑ground research, tree planting, and community collaboration in Kilembe.

We’re not there yet, and this is the perfect moment to jump in if you’ve been thinking about it. Every bit of support fuels the next phase of learning, planting, and partnership in Kilembe.

2. Research in Motion: Field Learning with Dr. Bob and Sarah

This June, our Research and Education Team (RET), led by Dr. Bob and Sarah, returns to Kilembe alongside students from Penn State University and Makerere University.

Their focus: tracking the survival and health of thousands of trees planted last year, helping protect the community from floods and landslides.

Working hand‑in‑hand with local residents and SCU volunteers, the team will:

• Map tree survival using a mobile app for accurate, accessible data.

• Host group discussions exploring how traditional and scientific knowledge can guide which species best serve community needs and ecosystem health.

This collaboration will lay the foundation for a new yearly course connecting students with hands‑on, community‑based climate research.
Something that links classrooms, mountainsides, and shared purpose.

3. Thoughtful Growth: Reflections from Max

Another layer of our research comes through Max, a SCU team member pursuing his master’s in biodiversity. His studies connect directly to our mission to restore native species like Prunus africana in areas where non‑native eucalyptus has taken hold.

Max’s academic lens encourages us to look more critically at long‑term ecological balance:

• Scaling bamboo planting requires careful consideration of cloning and invasiveness.

• True progress means local communities remain central to every decision.

• Sustainability must include economic viability - profit and conservation can grow together.

This research helps us ask better questions, design better solutions, and stay rooted in the belief that adventure and restoration can coexist.

Thank you (as always) for believing in this work.
Every shared update, donation, and conversation keeps the story of Kilembe moving forward.

Cheers,
Morgan Long