Awarded in 2025
Based in Abira Djupadrogo Utadu Village, Anghal Chiefdom, Mahagi Territory, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Uvoya Laurent was recognised as a 2025 Kilimo Environmental Prize laureate for his commitment to restoring degraded natural ecosystems, advancing climate action and building resilient, biodiverse landscapes in Mahagi Territory. His work stands as a compelling example of how community-led forest restoration can protect nature while improving the lives of those who depend on it.
Uvoya Laurent is a community conservation practitioner whose work demonstrates how restoring native forests can simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity loss and household poverty. Based in Abira Djupadrogo Utadu Village in Anghal Chiefdom, his long-term commitment to land stewardship has focused on rebuilding indigenous tropical forests that support people and nature alike.
His restoration approach prioritises biodiversity and ecological integrity. Rather than establishing monocultures, Uvoya works to recreate thriving native forest systems composed of diverse indigenous species. These forests are designed to stabilise local microclimates, restore degraded soils and regenerate habitats for wildlife. By favouring native species, his work strengthens ecological functions that are essential for long-term resilience, including water regulation, pollination and natural pest control.
Uvoya’s conservation efforts are closely linked to livelihood improvement. By restoring forest ecosystems, he has helped generate sustainable income opportunities for local households through tree management, nursery activities and diversified agroforestry practices. His work contributes to reducing household poverty while reinforcing food security and environmental stability. This integrated approach recognises that climate change, biodiversity and human wellbeing are deeply interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation.
The restored forests on his land contribute to broader conservation goals by reducing pressure on remaining natural forests, slowing biodiversity loss and supporting species survival in a landscape facing increasing degradation. By rebuilding ecological connectivity and improving habitat quality, his work helps reduce the risk of local extinctions and strengthens the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Uvoya’s leadership reflects a broader understanding that environmental, economic and social resilience require collective effort. His work engages local communities, encourages shared responsibility for land and promotes long-term thinking in a context where short-term exploitation often dominates. By demonstrating that forest restoration can deliver tangible benefits for livelihoods and the environment, he offers a practical pathway toward sustainable rural development.
