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Budongo Conservation Field Station: 20 Years of Research, Training, and Conservation

Celebrating 20 years of research, training, and conservation at the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS). From chimpanzee research to community conservation projects, BCFS has expanded its interests and made significant contributions to forest biodiversity and evolutionary biology.

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Budongo Conservation Field Station: 20 Years of Research, Training, and Conservation

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  1. Budongo Conservation Field Station Celebrating 20 years of research, training and conservation

  2. Budongo Forest Project • With initial funding from ODA, VR started BFP • Chimpanzee research was the focus of BFP • Maintained low staffing levels and community interactions • From ODA to NORAD and now, RZSS • Progressively, BFP has expanded its interests from research to training and conservation

  3. Why the transition from BFP to BCFS? • The big question: WHO IS BFP? • BFP was not a legally recognised institution • Makerere University was reluctant to take up legal ownership of BFP • 2007: BCFS was legally registered as a local NGO • Mandate to conduct research, training and conservation • Area of jurisdiction was Hoima and Masindi • NGO certificate was renewed for a further three years in 2008 with a mandate to operate country wide • 2007: BCFS developed its first ever five year strategic plan

  4. BCFS Strategic Plan 2007 - 2011 • Objectives • To undertake scientific investigations into forest biodiversity and evolutionary biology; • To provide research and training facilities for relevant institutions; • To work in partnership with statutory organisations to protect the forest; • To work in partnership with local communities on conservation projects

  5. BCFS Strategic Plan 2007 - 2011 • Strategic plan activities • Research • Monitoring trends in biodiversity and threats to the forest • Community Conservation • Training and education • Information dissemination • Infrastructure development

  6. Funding Others: Oakland Zoo, Leverhulme Trust, USAID, Mohamed Bin Zayed

  7. Activities: Research • Individual research projects • Primate behaviour and ecology • Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on forest biodiversity • Utilisation of NTFPs

  8. Activities: Monitoring trends in biodiversityPrimate and ungulate surveys Chimpanzee locations Red duiker locations

  9. Activities: Monitoring trends in biodiversity • Permanent sample plot monitoring • Tree phenology • Bird population (starting January 2011) Percentage of fruiting trees in BFR Percentage of fruiting trees (%)

  10. Activities: Monitoring threats to biodiversity • Snare and illegal activity patrol • Programme • Approx 200 snares per month • Patrol covers 30% of forest

  11. Hunted species’ distribution Bush pig Blue duiker

  12. Activities: Training and education • Recess term practical training for undergraduates • Internship for forestry and veterinary medicine students • Special interest groups’ training • Research support for post graduate and undergraduate students • Field course in applied ecology and conservation • Staff development

  13. Activities: Information dissemination • Publications (Journals papers, books and book chapters) • Theses and dissertations • Reports • Seminars • What we know about Budongo • Back to Budongo: Latest book by Prof Vernon Reynolds • 20 year compilation of publications from BCFS

  14. Conservation initiatives • Mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts • National Chimpanzee health monitoring • Alternatives for NTFPs (Raphia palm)

  15. Activities: Community Conservation • Community education programme • Support to local schools (Library) • Anti-snaring program (ex-hunters)

  16. Infrastructure DevelopmentFrom a sawmill to a conservation field station Alfriston House (July 2006) Alfriston House (June 2007)

  17. Infrastructure Development • Increased capacity for resident researchers • Improved water and electricity supply • Laboratory establishment • Herbarium and museum establishment • Library expansion • Improved communication (walkie-talkies, internet)

  18. Looking ahead Partnership development Infrastructure development Research diversification – research associates? Development of training facilities Conservation projects

  19. Acknowledgements • Prof Vernon Reynolds • Royal Zoological Society of Scotland • National Forestry Authority • Oakland Zoo • Jane Goodall Institute – Uganda • Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, MUK • St Andrews University • Local communities • Dedicated staff and researchers at BCFS • Others: UWA, UNCST, NFC, WCS, USAID, Oregon Zoo, NGS, NORAD, ODA/DFID, Alfriston community

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