This collaborative teaching module was co-designed with Lisa Naughton-Treves (UW-Madison) and Jessica L’Roe (Middlebury College) and funded by the UW-Madison’s Education Innovation grant.

This project aims to bring rural African environmental issues to life for students in our classrooms. Ryan Treves (Madison Memorial High School) assisted to produce short videos about what it is like to live next to Kibale National Park in Uganda. Also on our team are Daisy Kuzarra, Richard Karamagi, and Moses Nyakojo, all leaders in the community neighboring Kibale. Daisy, Richard, and Moses sometimes provide ‘virtual’ field trips for our students. They use smartphones and WhatsApp to communicate with students about Ugandan perspectives on wildlife conservation, climate change, land scarcity, and rural development.

Some highlights from the recorded video vignettes include:

• Personal Stories: Community members share their experiences living alongside one of Uganda's most biodiverse parks, providing insight into the daily challenges and joys they face.

• Conservation Challenges: Discussions around the impact of wildlife on local agriculture and how communities navigate coexistence with wild animals.

• Sustainable Practices: Examples of innovative agricultural techniques and community-led initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability while meeting the needs of the people.

• Cultural Insights: Rich narratives that reflect local traditions and the integral role of wildlife in their culture and identity.

Through these engaging multimedia resources, we hope to bring to life environmental issues that seem far away and encourage thoughtful discourse on rural African lives and livelihoods.