Yusuf Tongbuin 

Yusuf comes from a small village in Sardauna, Taraba State, Nigeria. For the past five years, he has been actively involved in the Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve: first as a volunteer for two years, followed by three years as a field assistant.

Yusuf is particularly passionate about the impact of climate change on plant life and the livelihoods of people in his home region. He has personally witnessed the effects of deforestation and climate change. As a child, the forest was still close to his village, providing the community with essential resources like honey, bananas, and wild sweet potatoes. Today, the forest is several kilometers away, and the number of wild animals has drastically declined. The forest, once a central part of local culture, has steadily lost its significance.

Yusuf sees it as his mission to preserve this cultural heritage and the natural environment for future generations. Through his studies in botany, he aims not only to gain a solid scientific understanding of plant life and conservation but also to educate people in his region about the importance of nature and biodiversity. His goal is to raise awareness about sustainable lifestyles, better protect the environment, and preserve biodiversity in his community. In doing so, he hopes to contribute to creating a sustainable future for his village and the generations to come.

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Hi, I'm Chimwemwe.

I come from the buffer zone of South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia. The forest paradise in my home region offers many natural resources and holds high biodiversity. But in addition to human-wildlife conflict, waste management and poaching, the deforestation of our forests is the largest threat to our forest with the most dramatic consequences. The forest is cut down for agricultural land and charcoal. It is essential to create a new way of using resources in harmony with nature.


I have been working intensively on nature conservation issues for six years now. After school, I successfully completed the “Aspiring Conservation Leadership Program”, driven by my passion for nature and its protection, but also for the people of our communities. As the daughter of a single mother, I unfortunately lack the financial means to study at university. By studying "Natural Resource Management" I want to obtain the necessary qualifications to work in an conservation organization and thus make forest use in my region more sustainable, sensitize people and integrate the three Rs: "Reduse, Reuse, Recycle".

From me studying not only nature and I, but everyone in my community will benefit, because together we can address the challenge of land degradation and human-wikdkife conflict better. Additionally, with my degree and a job in conservation, I will become a role model for many girls and woman in my community.

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As a study partner for Chimwemwe and you will receive updates on her personal story and study progress.