Ussi is based in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and the Country Coordinator at Global Sustainable Future progress through partnership network. He previously worked at the Tanzania Development Trust as a mapper and has been part of United Nation Volunteers programme since 2016. Ussi joined our community in 2021 and within 12 months he became a WildHub Conservation Catalyst by teaming up with other conservationists and helping them share their lessons learned with our community. 

Ussi, once again, reached the status of Key Conservation Catalyst after sharing another six lessons learned posts between March - September 2022. Congrats, Ussi! Thank you for making a significant contribution to our community by catalysing the sharing of knowledge, experiences, solutions and ideas to help others in their conservation work. During the past year, Ussi focussed his interviews mostly around the topic of career development by asking a number of members where they are in their conservation journey, including @Lucy Morriss and @Sarah Neill in the UK, (interviews here and here),  @Sara Kophamel in Australia (interview here), and @David Kabambo Kabambo in Tanzania (interview here).

Additionally, Ussi interviewed WildHub member @Romulus Whitaker in India on the topic of species management and snake conservation in particular. 

I heard about WildHub when it started up and immediately knew I wanted to keep up to date with the latest conservation initiatives and get to know the people who are the dynamic change-makers in this exciting field." (Romulus Whitaker, India, interview here)

The topic of gender equality within wildlife conservation was the topic of his following conversation with @Muthoni Njuguna in Kenya, who has worked in community-based initiatives predominantly in the Maasai Mara region.

Cultural norms in some African communities do not promote the amplification of the female voice. In some places, women can’t own land nor make decisions yet their livelihoods mostly depend on natural resources. Including the female voice in community-based conservation initiatives is crucial to improving their livelihood and preserving ecosystems." (Muthoni Njuguna, Kenya, interview here). 

Ussi went on to explore how businesses can improve their carbon footprint, together with @Michael Cunningham, Founder and Director of the Community Interest Company, 9Trees (interview here) and recently had a conversation with WildHub member @Aiita Joshua Apamaku about COP27 and human development (interview here). 

This week, Ussi published his interview "Tell your closest friends about your conservation work and share your spark" with our new member @Chrissy Ali who is a content writer specialising in wildlife and nature conservation. Chrissy joined our community as WildHub Community Advocate and is helping us promoting our members' contribution on our social media channels (once again, welcome Chrissy!). 

After sharing these 8 lessons learned contributions, it was time for Ussi to become the interviewee. I connected with him and asked him about this journey as WildHub Conservation Catalyst in 2022. Please find his answers below.  

Thirza: "What were the most positive benefits to being a WildHub member and WildHub Conservation Catalyst this last year 2022 for you?"

Ussi: "The WildHub community has improved my professional environment through affirming words and actions. My role as a conservation catalyst helps me to carry out our mission and make a difference in our community."

Thirza: "What helped you to share contributions with the WildHub community in 2022?" 

Ussi: "I was able to establish communication with other WildHub members and, working as a (Catalyst) team inspired fostering collaboration by building trust. [Through this process] I was encouraged to work together in achieving a shared goal."

Thirza: "What does it mean to you to be a WildHub Conservation Catalyst?" 

Ussi: "Fostering a collaborative culture and ensure human development and wildlife conservation is sustainable."

Thirza: "What would be your vision for the WildHub community in 2023?"

Ussi: "My vision for the WildHub community in 2023 would be working together to advance human development that works alongside achieving biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, human dignity and a sustainable lifestyle."

Please join me in congratulating Ussi by adding your message in the comment section below! 

Would you like to become a Conservation Catalyst with WildHub complete the form here and we'll be in touch! 

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