As a promoter of culture and diversity, Gerald Nkusi is a travel ecopreneur with Adventure Afrika and founder of Home of Kigezi (a Museum of Living Culture and Natural History), Nkunga Eco Village, and the Food Forest Africa movement. His roots and home are in Kisoro, a part of the Kigezi region in Uganda. Starting as a waiter trading long nights of work for education at the famous Makerere University 2006 and a US Exchange Alumni-IVLP 2017, he has transformed into a local and global actor in the cultural heritage and conservation space. Gerald's Food Forest Africa movement is revolutionizing the use of small and waste spaces for food, health, education and environment to help counter food insecurity, poor nutrition, and the degradation of natural resources.
My background is mainly in species conservation, education and capacity development. I researched mother-young interactions in gorillas and chimpanzees, in captivity and the wild. After that, I worked for three years in Indonesia, where I developed and implemented youth ambassador and community engagement programmes on local and regional scales. I work as Community Manager at WildHub since 2020, and I am an Associate Member of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent where I obtained my PhD on capacity development for conservation in 2022.
I am a third-year student at African Leadership University pursuing a Bachelor of Global Challenges degree, graduating in June 2024. I'm passionate about working in the environmental and wildlife conservation industry to use skills gained from my tertiary education and make a difference as a research professional. I previously worked as a research intern on Land use activities at ALU School of wildlife conservation. And I gained hands-on experience working with writing case studies, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and working and communicating professionally.
Suhail Bashir
Environmental Consultant, WildHub Community Advocate, ENS Environmnetal Consultancy Sharjah
Experienced Environmental Engineer/Consultant with a proven track record of leading successful environmental initiatives and delivering sustainable solutions. My expertise encompasses a diverse range of areas, including Baseline Studies, Environment Impact Assessments (EIA/IEE/ESIA), Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Environmental Conservation & Sustainability.
Currently, I am making a significant impact as an Environmental Engineer/Consultant at one of the leading Environmental Consultancy, specializing in preparing comprehensive environmental study reports for clients primarily from Hamriyah Free Zone Sharjah and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Dubai. These reports play a crucial role in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable practices within the industry.
I am an Ecologist by training. My research interests have focused on : Relations between protected areas and local communities; Wildlife conservation; Community Building; Environmental governance ; Conflict management ; Climate change.
I love swimming in the rivers & sea, climbing mountains and walking all over the UK. Scuba diving, snowboarding and novice surfer. I love a pint and relaxing in the park when I see mates in the city. Growing up on the banks of the Wye I currently live rurally looking for the 'good life' Eco Sustainable living. I am hoping to help build my home, maybe my own log cabin!
I enjoy networking and am an effective communicator, advocate and educationalist.
Past experience, conducting business meetings & community engagement, have honed my skills in management of staff and volunteers.
I have a diverse skill set. I am adept at statistical analysis, SPSS & GIS, management plans, report writing & scientific valuation of research.
At this pivotal point in the earths future I have set up a grass roots organisation as I am passionate about making a change. Having worked in business, not for profit organisations, governmental partnerships, charities, practical conservation and humanitarian volunteering I feel I have a wealth of experience to help over the coming years.
Both part time and freelance options appeal to me.
I take pride in my continued professional and personal development, from amphibian ID, food safety to first aid & scuba diving.
From my work with the RSPB in Primary schools, teenagers for the Devon Youth Service, to leading a team of youth in Nepal to volunteers in train carriage restoration shows I am effective all round communicator / enthuser.
I have conducted business in many forms,
I feel I have much to offer, using my initiative and positive dedication.
Please see my linked in profile which shows how involved I was in Arts, Tourism, government and Business.
My research interests include the natural history & conservation ecology of small mammals, wild cats, Asian elephants, and tapirs, species responses to deforestation & habitat fragmentation, hunting & wildlife trade. I work at the interface between conservation science & applied wildlife management, using evidence-based approaches, statistical analysis, & technologies (camera-trapping, RS imagery, Cybertracker, SMART) to advise the conservation of wildlife populations in tropical Asia and East Africa.
I am a trained biologist and primatologist passionate about wildlife conservation, specifically conservation medicine (one health); the intersect between wildlife, ecosystem and human health. My interests span primatology, marine science, veterinary medicine, public health, human-wildlife interactions, community-based conservation, sustainable development, deforestation and ecotourism.
I received my BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. I worked with the Schusterman Group: Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Laboratory
at the Long Marine Laboratory, assisting set regulation standards on marine mammal noise pollution for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. I completed my MSc in Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes University in 2011. Working closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Conservation Through Public Health my independent research project focused on disease transmission risks between humans and mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Following my MSc I directed the Rwanda based nonprofit Art of Conservation, using the arts and creative learning to teach children and their families about living healthy, and helped launch the local offshoot nonprofit Conservation Heritage-Turambe.
I work with many nonprofits and professionals across the globe using conferences, events, publications, photography, film and digital media/marketing to share my experiences and knowledge. Between my formal education I have worked as a veterinary technician for over seven years and lived in six continents. I am passionate about our world, exploring new places and cultures, meeting unique and extraordinary people, learning, photography, film and would like to improve the health and livelihood of our planet through work as a conservationist, scientist and filmmaker.
I am currently working on a feature length wildlife multimedia project, The Great Call, and an educational one health short on my Master’s work regarding safe mountain gorilla trekking protocols. My team is looking for executive producers and grantors for both projects. If interested please email me at allison@onehealthproductions.com.