RECO Uganda helps in conservation of the environment through;
A) Foresty.
Both the quality and extent of forest habitat continue to decrease and the associated biodiversity loss harms the forest ecosystem functioning (soil nutrient cycling, water retention, decomposition of organic matter), limits potential ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, pollination, water quality, biological pest control, floods and disease control) and cultural services (recreational, aesthetic, spiritual, medicinal services) . In light of this, it is important not only to conserve but also to restore the forest ecosystem. Restoring stable forest functions also requires diverse native tree species.
B) School Outreaches.
Children and environmental awareness aims at creating a young generation that is conscious about environmental conservation. Our future critically depends on the mind-sets of the children and young of people of today- because they will be the decision makers and leaders.
C) Community Outreaches.
Community awareness is important for changing the mind-set of community members. Some benefits from environmental conservation are more easily appreciated than others. Those that communities consume directly, such as food, raw materials, are valued in markets. Others such as biological control, pollination, nutrient cycling, health soil, health water, health air maintenance play vital life-supporting services, but are less easily valued. This lack of appreciation threatens the continuity of such services. Community awareness builds the community understanding, valuing and managing of environmental conservation.
D) Energy
There is increasing scarcity of firewood and wood charcoal in Rakai and Kyotera districts just like many other parts of Uganda, and the need for clean energy use efficiency. Below are some of the initiatives aimed at improving energy use efficiency:
Energy saving stoves:
We train and demonstrate to communities on how to make energy saving stoves using locally available materials. These energy saving stoves improve fuel efficiency, enhance combustion conditions, and ensures a better flame stability and systematic airflow. They consume less fuel, are long lasting and save energy.
Briquettes:
RECO eradicates over dependence on wood fuel in Uganda by making organic charcoal for cooking from agricultural waste as an alternative to wood fuel among households and institutions in Kyotera and Rakai Districts.
E) Weather and climate
RECO shares to subscribed farmers weather information via mobile phones. RECO advocates for climate change action at local, national, regional and international levels.
F) Water and Wetland protection
We do a lot of activities to help ensure that water and wetland sites get the best protection possible. Wetland wildlife and watery habitats can tell us a lot about the health of our water environment. Some of the initiatives we have done included river bank tree planting to stabilize the soils along the river bank. In addition we have constructed ‘gabion check dam’ along River Bukoola to control soil erosion and river siltation.