Our First Steps to Adventure and Conservation

Welcome to the Ski Club Uganda blog! We’re thrilled to have you here as part of our growing community. Whether you're a seasoned skier, a climate advocate, a student, or just curious about our project, this is the place to stay updated and engaged.

Snow-capped peaks of Mount Rwenzori rise majestically under a clear blue sky, highlighting the rugged beauty of this African mountain range.

The Story Behind Ski Club Uganda

Ski Club Uganda traces its roots back to 1955, founded by Andrew Stuart with a simple yet adventurous mission: anyone who skis Mt. Rwenzori can join. Today, a small but passionate group—Pauli, Lummi, Lucas, and myself—are on a mission to carry on that legacy. We aim to preserve the stories of past skiers, celebrate the rich history of Mt. Rwenzori, and ensure the world remembers this unique ski destination even as the glacier recedes.

But our vision extends beyond skiing. We are committed to leaving the world better than we found it. This commitment led us to engage with climate scientists and conservationists to explore ways to support the communities living around the Rwenzoris. The consensus? Planting trees.

Why Trees Matter

Planting trees can reduce mudslides, lower local temperatures, support biodiversity, and create valuable resources for the community. After conversations with Dr. Jim Russell, Dr. Sarah Ivory, Dr. Bob Nakileza, and Dr. Richard Taylor, it became clear that a tree nursery project could have the most significant impact.

To make this happen, we partnered with the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) to replicate their successful Tree Nursery Project from Murchison Falls. The plan is simple yet powerful: plant trees on school grounds to maximize community impact, ensure sustainability, and prevent deforestation by individual landowners.

Our Goal: $50,000 for One Million Trees

With guidance from UCF Director Mike Keigwin, we need to raise $50,000 to purchase seeds (one million of them!), equipment, and provide training for locals to plant and care for the trees. We’ve already laid the groundwork by establishing a legal non-profit entity and applying for federal tax-exemption status. This process will take 2-4 months, but we’re well on our way.

A Sustainable Future

This isn’t just about planting trees and walking away. By involving students, we’re creating opportunities for hands-on conservation work and biodiversity research. Ugandan and American students will plant trees, educate local children, and conduct environmental studies while experiencing the beauty of Uganda through eco-tourism.

We’re thrilled to have Dr. Bob Nakileza from Makerere University onboard, expressing interest in sending Ugandan students to participate. We believe this collaboration can foster bonds strong enough to ensure the project thrives long-term.

The Roadmap Ahead

Here’s our three-phase plan to make this vision a reality:

Phase 1: Building Infrastructure

• Obtain 501(c)(3) status

• Complete the website and integrate merchandise

• Grow our online following

• Form partnerships with students, professors, non-profits, and ski companies

Phase 2: Fundraising

• Kick off fundraising through merch sales, events, and grants

• Seek corporate sponsors

• Get featured in major publications like National Geographic and Afar

• Personally donate $10,000 to jumpstart the campaign

Phase 3: Implementation

• Send funds to UCF for project initiation

• Manage the project, recruit student volunteers, and communicate progress to our community

What We've Accomplished So Far

• Website (skiclubuganda.org coming soon!)

• Instagram (@skiclub.uganda) with nearly 1,000 accounts reached

• Non-profit entity registration complete

• Story proposal sent to National Geographic

• Connections with past Rwenzori skiers

• Trip planning is underway (we leave in two weeks!)

How You Can Help

This project thrives on community support. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Share our story widely

• Connect us with other skiers, non-profits, or potential sponsors

• Offer to help build the organization

• Donate when the time comes

Meet Our New Team Member

Morgan Long - Director of Operations

We’re excited to welcome Morgan Long, a longtime friend passionate about non-profits, conservation, and project management. Morgan brings fundraising experience to help drive the tree nursery project forward.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re excited about the adventure ahead and grateful for your support in making a lasting impact around Mt. Rwenzori.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s make this happen together!