My name is Ngobi Joel, and I am deeply committed to transforming landscapes and empowering communities through environmental restoration. Growing up in Uganda, I was always fascinated by the towering trees and the shade they provided on hot days. However, I also witnessed rapid deforestation in 2019 due to sugarcane plantations in Eastern Uganda.  I saw the negative impact this had on the environment and local livelihoods. 

Seeing these changes ignited my passion for conservation. I knew I had to be part of the solution. That is how the School Food Forest Initiative was born.

A vision for green learning

Green literacy school camp at Huuda Islamic Primary School, Ivukula, Namutumba, Uganda. Photo: Kitimbo Elizabeth.

The School Forest Initiative is more than just a tree-planting project; it is a movement to engage students and communities in restoring ecosystems while fostering environmental consciousness. 

In Uganda, deforestation has led to climate instability, reduced soil fertility and loss of biodiversity. As a result, communities that rely on trees for firewood and timber are increasingly vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Schools, as centers of learning, have a unique role in shaping a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders. By integrating tree planting into school activities, we are not only restoring degraded landscapes but also teaching students the value of conservation –what we call green learning!

Our goal is to establish and maintain small food forests on school grounds that will serve as learning spaces, sources of food and models of sustainable land use.

Restoring our landscapes, one tree at a time

Fruit tree planting at Ivukula secondary school, Namutumba District. Photo: Mutungi Trevor.

The initiative began with a simple question: How can we turn schools into green sanctuaries? Working closely with 60 underserved rural public schools, over 1,000 students, 564 teachers and 876 community members, we identified areas within school compounds where forests could thrive. We carefully selected Indigenous tree species, fruit trees and medicinal plants to create biodiversity-rich environments to benefit nature and people.

We believe in the power of hands-on learning. Students are actively involved in planting, nurturing and monitoring trees. We help teach them practical skills in agroforestry, soil conservation and climate resilience. Through their efforts, these forests enhance biodiversity while also offering shade, improving air quality and creating habitats for birds and insects—allowing students to witness firsthand the benefits of restoration.

Beyond trees: The broader impact

Mukyala Mary, our storytelling lead and community volunteer, leading a community dialogue and stakeholder engagement meeting at Kirongo Primary School. Photo: Ngobi Joel.

Our initiative goes beyond environmental restoration—it strengthens communities. By engaging parents and local farmers, we foster knowledge exchange on sustainable farming, composting and organic gardening. Some schools have even integrated small-scale vegetable gardens alongside their forests, ensuring access to nutritious food while reinforcing the link between trees and food sovereignty.

Our efforts extend to organizing community dialogues to raise awareness about the importance of forests and mobilizing local support for conservation efforts. By emphasizing the connection between trees, climate resilience and livelihoods, we are shifting mindsets and inspiring

long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.

Our goals for this year

As we move forward, our vision is to expand the School Forest Initiative to more schools across Uganda. This year, we aim to plant 5,000 trees in various school communities and establish fruit orchards in at least 10 schools to supplement students’ nutrition. We are also working to introduce rainwater harvesting systems to ensure sustainable irrigation, organize environmental education workshops to equip students with knowledge and advocacy skills and strengthen partnerships with policymakers to integrate tree-planting into national education policies.

Meet the team behind the vision

Our dedicated team at St Francis Nabitula Primary School. Photo: Kayera Aisha.

The success of the School Forest Initiative is driven by a passionate team dedicated to environmental conservation and community empowerment:

• Ngobi Joel (founder and project coordinator): Leads overall strategy and community engagement, ensuring the initiative aligns with local needs and sustainability goals.
• Mary Mukyaala (environmental educator and storyteller): conducts workshops on climate resilience and agroforestry practices.
• Mutungi Trevor (agronomist and operations lead): Provides technical expertise on soil health and sustainable land management.
• Aisha Kayera (community liaison expert and volunteer leader): Builds relationships with parents and community members to ensure continued support.
• Catherine (monitoring and evaluation expert and coordinator in Eastern Uganda):

Tracks progress and impact, ensuring our work creates meaningful change.

Join us in cultivating change

We believe that restoring our landscapes is a collective responsibility. The School Forest Initiative is proof that with dedication, collaboration and traditional knowledge, we can bring life back to degraded lands and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Follow our journey and get involved!