Conservation Camp 2025: Youth gain lasting lessons in environmental conservation and protection of Volcanoes National Park

August 21, 2025 Kwizera Juvenalis

On August 14, 2025, one hundred students from 10 schools across the three districts of Musanze, Burera, and Nyabihu bordering Volcanoes National Park, completed a two-week camp aimed at deepening their understanding of environmental conservation and its importance to Rwanda, particularly through tourism

The camp took place at The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where students were taught how ecosystems function in an interconnected way, each element relying on the other to survive. They also learned how humans benefit from nature and the vital role they play in its protection.

Speaking to Greenafrica.rw, the students said the camp had left a lasting impact on their lives, and they were ready to bring positive change to communities living near Volcanoes National Park.

Lucky Uwimpuhwe, a student from Gafumba primary School in Burera District, said:“The greatest lesson i learned here is that we should not kill animals simply because we think they might harm us or because we dislike them. Every living organism, big or small, plays an important role in the ecosystem whether it feeds on plants, meat, or decomposes organic matter. The knowledge we gained here is wide-ranging; from the agriculture that sustains us to the air we breathe, everything depends on this interconnected system.”

“For example, plants provide us with food and fresh air (oxygen), but they also need the carbon dioxide we exhale. They give strength to herbivores, which in turn sustain carnivores. When carnivores die, they nourish decomposers that enrich the soil, which helps our crops grow well and that is how we survive.”He added

Marie Alphonsine Uwurukundo a student from Sancta Clara in Musanze District, emphasized another benefit of the camp, highlighting the contribution of wildlife to Rwanda’s economy through tourism, as well as community development through the 10% revenue-sharing program.

“Wildlife is a major asset not only for biodiversity but also for the economy. Many tourists come to Rwanda to see gorillas, and this generates significant revenue for our country. Beyond gorillas, we have many other animals that must be protected because all of them uplift our livelihoods.” She said

Gihozo Cadeau Nice, one of the 2024 conservation camp graduates, was invited back as a role model after successfully planting and nurturing a tree known as Intomvu ( Loberia ). She stressed that the lessons learned should not remain with participants alone, but be shared with families and friends.

“What we learned last year was very important. Some of our friends used to fetch water inside Volcanoes National Park, but now we will teach them why this is harmful. This training is the start of a wider effort to share knowledge with those who did not get the chance to attend.”She said

“I was invited today because I planted a tree and took care of it until it grew well. I encourage my peers who have just completed the camp to also take care of the trees they received from the tree nursery at Wilderness Bisate the tree nursery at Wildness Bisate so that together we can put our lessons into practice.

Emmanuel Harerimana, Director of Muhisimbi Voice of Youth in Conservation and one of the program’s partners, explained the main objective of the camp:

“Our goal is to prepare the youth to become tomorrow’s leaders in conservation. According to the monitoring and evaluation data we collected, the students receive the lessons positively, which shows the program is delivering the results we expected.”

“We are proud to see this initiative expanding from 80 to 100 children, from one District to three Districts: Musanze, Burera, and Nyabihu. We also grew from 8 schools to 10 schools, and this number will continue increasing, along with the strength of the lessons we provide.” He said

Felix Ndagijimana, Country Director of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Rwanda said the knowledge provided equips the children with essential information on protecting the environment and Volcanoes National Park as a whole.

Prosper Uwingeri, Chief Park Warden of Volcanoes National Park, added that the camp significantly contributes to reducing threats to the park:

“The benefit of this program is that children gain a deeper understanding of the importance of biodiversity and set personal goals to protect it. We would like to see this program scaled up and organized more often because when young people grow up with these values, it reduces the risks of poaching and other harmful activities that threaten wildlife, including gorillas.”

The camp was organized in partnership with four NGOs operating in Rwanda: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund ( DFGF )Muhisimbi Voice of Youth in Conservation, Children in the Wilderness ( CITW ), and Conservation Heritage–Turambe ( C.H.T)

Over the past five years, at least 380 students have participated in the program. In its first four years, 80 students from eight schools surrounding Volcanoes National Park benefited annually, selected based on their membership, the best active during the eco club activity and commitment in school environmental clubs and academic performance.

This number continues to grow in 2025, with 100 students now participating, and expansion planned for the future. The 2025 camp was marked as outstanding, attended by school leaders, local government representatives, officials Felix Ndagijimana Country direct of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Rwanda, MANZI KAYIHURA the Executive Chairman of Wilderness Rwanda, Heinrich Rontgen Operations Manager of Wilderness Rwanda, Prosper UWINGERI the Chief Park Warden of Volcanoes National Park and other conservation stakeholders.