Environmental conservation is no longer only about protecting forests and wildlife- it is increasingly about how communities can benefit while protecting nature. In Uganda, this shift is being driven by innovative approaches that connect biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihoods, climate action and local empowerment.
At the centre of this work is a conservation biologist and global environmental expert who has spent 25 years advancing community-led solutions that turn land, forests and natural resources into sources of both income and resilience. In this conversation, Pauline shares her journey, how ECOTRUST has impacted Uganda, and how innovation is reshaping the future of conservation for thousands of households across the country.
Please tell us who is Pauline.
My name is Pauline Nantongo Kalunda. I am the Executive Director of the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST). I am a conservation biologist.
I also sit on an international panel of experts. This is an advisory panel set up by King Charles III and President Emmanuel Macron. I also serve on different global boards, where I represent perspectives from the Global South, especially on environmental issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change.
Outside your professional role, what personal interests or hobbies do you enjoy?
Outside work, I enjoy walking because it helps me reflect and stay active. I am also an active member of my church community. I once taught Sunday school, and now I meet some of the children I taught, which is very fulfilling.
I also enjoy sports and used to play basketball and even represented Uganda at regional level. I have also played rugby and football mainly for fitness. I once joined women’s rugby team in its early stages, which was a challenging but interesting experience.
Do you travel often?
Yes, I travel quite a lot. I think I have visited almost every continent. I have been to places like the Himalayas, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, and many more. When I was young, I had a bucket list of places I wanted to visit- and I have completed most of it.
Now I continue updating my bucket list. I still want to climb mountains like the Montserrat range and visit Papua New Guinea one day.
What is ECOTRUST Uganda?
ECOTRUST is a conservation organization in Uganda that focuses on biodiversity and environmental protection, but also on helping people benefit economically from protecting nature. We believe that people should not only conserve the environment to “save the world,” but because it makes economic sense for them.
We work with smallholder farmers and communities to help them use their land in ways that support both income generation and environmental protection.
Why was ECOTRUST created?
ECOTRUST was created to fill a gap in conservation financing in Uganda. Many international organizations were managing environmental funding, but there was a need for a local organization that could understand Uganda’s realities and also compete in managing conservation programs.
So ECOTRUST was established to support local innovation, local solutions, and sustainable environmental financing.
We have heard that ECOTRUST is celebrating 27 years anniversary this year. What have been the key milestones so far?
One major milestone is survival and growth over 27 years in a challenging funding environment. In the early years, ECOTRUST managed a large grant (about 4-5 million USD) as a test of its systems. When that funding ended, the organization had to rebuild and rethink its model.
At that time, we focused on innovation, including early work on carbon projects. This later grew into successful programs like; Trees for Global Benefit, which supports smallholder farmers to earn income through carbon markets. By 2013, ECOTRUST had received a UN award for innovation in this area.
We also moved from donor dependence to creating stronger financial systems, including developing ideas for an endowment fund and long-term sustainability.
How do ECOTRUST’s carbon projects work?
We work with thousands of farmers who plant and protect trees. Farmers develop land-use plans based on their own needs and goals. We then help translate these plans into measurable environmental outcomes, such as carbon credits. These carbon credits are sold in international markets. The money is then shared with farmers. This helps farmers earn income while also protecting forests and restoring degraded land.
We also support farmers to use their carbon agreements to access loans, even when they do not have formal land titles.
What makes ECOTRUST’s approach different?
We believe in learning from communities. Farmers are very innovative. For example, farmers often know natural signs of weather changes or soil health without formal training. We use this local knowledge alongside science to build better conservation systems.
We also use a “learning by doing” approach. Communities try ideas, and we learn from them, improve them and scale them up.
What does impact look like at household level?
For many families, the biggest impact is mindset change. We help households see their land as an asset that can generate long-term income. This shifts people from short-term survival thinking to long-term planning.
We also use tools that encourage families; men and women to plan together. This has helped reduce conflict in households and improve cooperation. Families develop shared visions for their land, which helps them make better decisions on trees, crops and income activities.
How many people benefit from ECOTRUST programs?
Our programs have reached about 54,000 households. But the impact goes beyond numbers. Communities build social systems where they plan together, support each other and respond better to climate risks like floods or droughts. We also have a risk fund that helps communities recover after disasters.
What is the overall vision for conservation and innovation?
The overall vision is that environmental conservation should improve people’s lives. When communities benefit economically from protecting nature, they are more likely to continue doing it. Conservation should not be seen as a sacrifice, but as an opportunity for income generation, climate change, and long-term well-being.
To hear the full conversation with Pauline Nantongo Kalunda, listen to the Good Morning Africa Podcast on Apple Podcasts using the link below. The interview explores ECOTRUST’s journey, the future of community-led conservation, and how innovative conservation approaches are improving livelihoods across Uganda.
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