APPLY FOR CAUSE 2027: Adaptation to Climate Risks in Uganda through Community-led Mountain Forest Restoration (EMSC 470 Sp/Su 2027)
Communities in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains face increasing climate risks from flooding, erosion, and landslides. Landscape restoration through tree planting is a climate adaptation strategy that may be effective against climate related flooding, yet planting trees alone does not indicate restoration success or full achievement of community adaptation goals.
Understanding and addressing the various socio-ecological challenges to community-led tree planting programs as adaptation strategies is at the center of this transdisciplinary educational-research initiative which will combine classroom lectures and activities followed by a two-week fieldwork program in Uganda in June 2027.
Students will travel to Makerere University in Kampala and the Rwenzori Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site to work alongside Ugandan students, researchers, and community partners, participants will learn field methods for monitoring tree survival, vegetation, soils, and riverbank conditions; use GPS and digital data-collection tools; and explore community perspectives and drivers of restoration success through household surveys, participatory research, and outreach activities.