Every year on 3rd March, the world comes together to mark World Wildlife Day. It is a day to celebrate the beauty and importance of wild animals and plants. But more than that, it is a reminder that nature is not separate from us. Our health, culture and livelihoods are deeply connected to the natural world.

The theme for 2026, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” speaks directly to our daily lives. Many of us have grown up seeing herbs used to treat coughs, stomach aches, wounds or fevers. Across the world, millions of people depend on wild plants for medicine, food and income. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70% – 95 % of people in developing countries rely on traditional medicine, much of which is plant-based for primary healthcare. These plants are not just part of the forest- they are part of our homes.

Yet, these important plants are under threat. Overharvesting, deforestation, climate change and illegal trade are putting pressure on many species. More than 20% of medicinal and aromatic plants are at risk of extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) due to habitat loss, overharvesting, illegal trade and other pressures. World Wildlife Day 2026 encourages us to learn about these plants, value their contributions, and protect them so that future generations can also benefit from their healing power and cultural significance.

Here in Uganda, we are blessed with rich biodiversity. From the forests of the Albertine Rift to the slopes of Mount Elgon, nature provides plants that heal families and support livelihoods. For many rural communities, wild plants are both a pharmacy and a source of income. Our biodiversity is truly a national treasure, and World Wildlife Day gives us a moment to reflect on how we can protect it better.

The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) understands this connection between people and nature. Since 1999, ECOTRUST has worked to conserve Uganda’s natural landscapes while improving community livelihoods. Their approach is simple but powerful: protect biodiversity and ensure that communities benefit from conservation.

Through conservation finance and projects like ‘Trees for Global Benefits’, ECOTRUST supports smallholder farmers to plant and manage trees sustainably. This improves soil health, restores degraded land and provides income through carbon markets. When farmers grow and protect trees, they reduce pressure on natural forests- and in doing so, they also help protect the medicinal and aromatic plants that grow in those ecosystems.

World Wildlife Day is a chance for everyone; policy makers, conservationists, youth groups, schools, and rural communities to think about how we value nature’s gifts. It encourages us to learn traditional plant knowledge, support sustainable use, and protect the habitats that nurture medicinal and aromatic species.

When we conserve wildlife, including wild plants, we are conserving our own health, heritage and future. As we mark World Wildlife Day this year, let us celebrate the plants that heal us and commit to protecting the landscapes that sustain life.