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We’re thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone in Zambia’s journey toward forest conservation — Bboka Hamane Hamusonde, a passionate and driven Forest Disturbance Analyst with BCP (BioCarbon Partners), has just been named one of the 50 Young Forest Champions under the prestigious #AIM4Forests initiative, backed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations!
Selected from an astounding 1,521 applicants across Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Peru, Bboka now joins an elite cohort of young leaders working to shape the future of forests. Out of 385 applications from Zambia alone, only about 10 were chosen, and Bboka stood out for his unique blend of technical expertise, community engagement, and unshakable dedication to protecting our natural heritage.
The Young Forest Champions Initiative is a transformative arm of FAO’s AIM4Forests program. It empowers youth aged 18–30 to become front-line stewards of forest ecosystems through immersive training, mentorship, and direct action. Participants are trained in:
🌍 Forest and ecosystem monitoring (NFMS)
🤝 Community forest engagement
📢 Climate advocacy and storytelling
🗺️ Mapping and restoration planning
🔗 Leadership and networking
What sets this initiative apart is its commitment to inclusion, prioritizing Indigenous youth, women, and persons with disabilities, ensuring that forest leadership reflects the rich diversity of the communities it serves.
At BCP, Bboka is a key member of the GIS team, where he serves as a Forest Disturbance Analyst. His work involves cutting-edge remote sensing and geospatial analysis to monitor forest disturbance across Zambia’s vital ecosystems.
But what makes Bboka’s contribution truly unique is how he bridges high-tech innovation with on-the-ground impact:
🛰️ Conducting annual deforestation assessments to track forest loss
🧭 Leading ground-truthing missions to verify satellite data
🔥 Mapping deforestation hotspots and analyzing disturbance trends
📱 Building local capacity by training community members in mobile data collection and geospatial tools
Through his role, Bboka not only provides critical data for conservation strategies but also empowers communities to take charge of their forests, fostering ownership, resilience, and sustainability.
Forests are not just trees — they are lifelines for climate stability, biodiversity, and local livelihoods. The AIM4Forests initiative is about more than data and policy; it’s about people-powered protection of these irreplaceable ecosystems.
By spotlighting leaders like Bboka, this program sends a powerful message: the future of forests is in good hands.
Your selection as a Young Forest Champion is not just a personal achievement — it’s a win for Zambia, for BCP, and for the planet. We can’t wait to see how your journey unfolds as you connect with fellow champions across continents and continue to lead the charge in forest monitoring, restoration, and community empowerment.
🔗 Learn more about the Young Forest Champions and AIM4Forests here:
FAO AIM4Forests: Young Forest Champions
