Hosted by the International Crane Foundation, Uganda’s crane festival brought together Uganda government officials, conservation scientists, traditional clan leaders, and local communities to highlight the role of science, culture, and accountability in conserving wetlands.

The International Crane Foundation in Africa calls for governments, organisations, and individuals to work alongside traditional custodians to restore wetlands for a secure future of cranes and people ahead of World Wetlands Day to be celebrated on 2nd February under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.”

In Uganda, natural ecosystems, especially wetlands, face growing threats from climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land-use practices such as wetland conversion and sand mining. These pressures have reduced both agricultural productivity and biodiversity.

This successful approach to conservation will be shared by Kerryn Morrison, the International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership’s Vice President of Africa Programs, during the 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP9) held from November 11-14 in Bonn, Germany.

The humble oyster mushroom has become an unexpected hero in the story of rural economic empowerment—one that is intimately connected to the conservation of the Endangered Grey Crowned Crane and the wetlands they call home.

The International Crane Foundation joined the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities and Isingiro District Local Government, to celebrate the Fifth National Crane Festival under the theme “Investing in wetland conservation for the benefit of people, cranes, and other biodiversity.”

Join us in celebrating World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 – Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future!