Julie Mulonga, Kenya

Biography 

Julie Mulonga’s passion for conservation began in childhood, watching once-thriving wetlands turn into polluted, lifeless waters. Now, as Director for Eastern Africa at Wetlands International, she leads efforts across four countries to restore these vital ecosystems. With a PhD in Climate Change and Adaptation, she bridges science and community action, ensuring wetlands sustain both biodiversity and livelihoods. Inspired by Wangari Maathai’s grassroots leadership, Julie believes real change happens when communities, governments, and scientists work together. For her, wetlands aren’t just nature—they are lifelines, essential for a sustainable future where people and ecosystems thrive in harmony.

Q: What personal experience has shaped or inspired your journey?

As a child, I watched healthy wetlands and streams slowly turn into polluted, lifeless waters. Seeing this loss made me determined to bring them back. For the past 30 years, I have worked in environmental conservation, starting as a researcher and growing into my current role as the Director of Eastern Africa for Wetlands International, where I lead efforts to protect and restore wetlands across the region.

Joining Wetlands International marked a turning point in this journey. I became part of a global network focused on wetlands conservation and restoration and was able to immerse myself in this community of like-minded professionals. This experience has expanded my perspective significantly and also taken me round the world – from Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas. Through these travels, I have seen first-hand how wetlands are not just vital ecosystems but also play a key role in tackling climate change and ensuring water security. 

My work has also been rewarding because I have had the opportunity to represent Wetlands International at major regional and global forums like the UNFCCC and Ramsar Conventions. I have worked on regional initiatives focusing on the Great Rift Valley Lakes, Nile River Basin (Wetlands Across Borders) and the Eastern Africa Mangrove ecoregion (Mangrove Capital Africa). These initiatives bring together scientists, policymakers and communities from different countries – - this has reinforced my belief that wetlands, - being shared ecosystems, – must be protected through collective action. This work has taught me that effective conservation requires advocacy, innovation and empowering local communities to create lasting change.

My PhD research on how climate change affects mangrove-dependent communities in Kenya has strengthened my commitment to conservation and changed how I approach it. Through extensive fieldwork, community engagement, and data analysis, I have gained a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges these communities face –  - ranging from rising sea levels and increased salinity to declining fish stocks and economic instability. This experience has taught me that conservation is not just about protecting nature – —it’s also about supporting the communities that depend on it. I now see the value of combining traditional knowledge with science, creating policies that help both people and the environment, and finding flexible solutions. More than ever, I believe that conservation must involve and empower local communities, ensuring that they can protect their natural resources while building a more sustainable future.

Every step of my journey has taught me that our wetlands are not just ecosystems –  - they are the lifeblood of our environment, deserving every ounce of our passion and commitment.
 

Q. Who is the influential figure who has inspired your actions, and what specifically about them has been motivating?

My professional journey has been shaped by different mentors and leaders who have shown me the transformative power of collective action in conservation. Early on, my parents instilled in me a deep respect for nature and shaped my conviction that protecting nature is both a personal responsibility and an honor. 

Later, working alongside colleagues at Wetlands International  —and interacting with international conservation platforms—taught me that true change comes from collaboration and bold leadership.

I am particularly inspired by the resilience and dedication of the local communities I have worked with over the years. They have an unwavering commitment to conserving their natural resources, despite facing numerous challenges. This motivates me to continue advocating for sustainable practices at the local as well as at the global level.

Notable to mention is that I have been deeply inspired by the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, whose leadership with the Green Belt Movement reshaped environmental activism in Kenya and around the world. Her remarkable ability to mobilize grassroots communities to plant millions of trees and restore degraded landscapes and global networks for environmental restoration have demonstrated the power of uniting diverse stakeholders. Prof. Maathai’s work exemplifies how bridging the gap between community needs and global environmental advocacy can lead to lasting change —a philosophy that motivates me every day as I seek to build partnerships that extend beyond national borders to protect wetland ecosystems. 

Equally inspiring is Elizabeth Wathuti, an inspiring youth leader, who is now a notable figure in global discourses. She channels her energy and creativity to promote sustainable practices and environmental justice.
 

Q. In your conservation efforts for wetlands, what key challenges did you face and how has this experience fuelled your dedication to making a positive impact?

One of the biggest challenges I have seen in wetland conservation continues to be the widespread misconception that wetlands are wastelands. Many still see them as unproductive, swampy areas that should be drained or developed for agriculture, housing, or industry. This lack of understanding has led to the degradation of many wetlands, even though they provide critical benefits such as flood control, water purification, biodiversity support, and carbon storage.

A powerful example of both the challenges and successes in wetland conservation is Abijatta-Shalla National Park, home to Ethiopia’s most important wetland system. Over the years, the Park has faced serious threats, including unsustainable water extraction from Lake Abijatta for irrigation, deforestation, overgrazing, and pollution. As a result, Lake Abijatta has been shrinking, and wildlife populations, including thousands of flamingos and other water birds, have declined.

Despite these challenges, conservation efforts by the Wetlands International team in Ethiopia are making a difference. Collaborative projects involving the regional and national government, local communities, and international partners have focused on sustainable water management, habitat restoration and initiatives to provide alternative livelihoods. Awareness campaigns have also helped shift local perceptions, emphasizing the vital role of wetlands in supporting biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic sustainability.

Stories like those from Abijatta-Shalla fuel my dedication to wetland conservation. They prove that with education, collaboration, and sustainable practices, we can shift perceptions and protect these invaluable ecosystems. While challenges remain, these victories remind us that wetlands are not wastelands —they are vital ecosystems essential to our planet’s health and future.

Q: As a woman who has made significant strides, where can you say investment is required to accelerate progress and empower women’s actions for wetlands?

• Establishing targeted training programmes and mentorship opportunities —like those I experienced through Women in Conservation Leadership —that empower women with the technical, strategic, and managerial skills needed to lead transformative projects. 
• Allocating funding opportunities for women-led projects can drive innovative, community-centered conservation solutions. When women have access to financial resources, they can launch and scale initiatives that restore wetlands, protect biodiversity, and improve local livelihoods. An example of this is Women Loans and Savings Groups, which have uplifted the lives of women.
• Investment is needed to strengthen policy frameworks that ensure women's representation at all levels —from local decision-making bodies to international forums such as the Ramsar Convention and UNFCCC negotiations. Empowering women to shape policies not only promotes gender equity but also ensures that conservation strategies address the unique challenges faced by communities dependent on wetlands.
• Establishing cross-border platforms and “technology hubs” focused on wetland conservation can connect women conservationists globally. These can facilitate knowledge exchange, collaborative research (including work stemming from academic endeavors like my PhD on climate vulnerability of mangrove-dependent communities), and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies like the Global Mangrove Watch to monitor and manage wetlands more effectively.

By investing in these areas, we can create a robust ecosystem where women are not only beneficiaries but also leaders in the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands