Muhabura Volcano
Ntarukapowerstation
RugeziMarsh
Uganda
Rwanda
LakeRuhondo
LakeBurera
Portiawidow dragonfly
Africa
Atlantic
Ocean
Rwanda
IgrewupintheAfricancountryofRwanda.Asachild,Ilivedinavillageclosetoawetland.Iswamwithmyfriendsintherivers.Itriedtocatchdragonfliesastheyflewby.MyfriendsandIcalledthem“FlyingFlowersoftheRiver.”Overtime,therewerefewerandfewerdragonflies.Iwondered why.
WhenIgrewup,Icamebacktothisplace.ItiscalledtheRugeziMarsh.Themarshisasourceofbothwaterandpower.Thiswetlandcontrolsthewaterthatflowsintotwobigrivers.Themarshalsofeedsapowerstationthatproduceselectricity.Idoalotofmyworkinthis marsh.
InRwanda,thedwarfpercherdragonflycanonlybefoundinRugezi Marsh.
FacingaCrisis
Yearsago,therewastroublehere.Therewaslittlerainfall.Therewastoomuchbuildingandfarming.Itwasharmingthe ecosystem. Waterlevelsinthemarshdropped.Wehadless power.
Weareworkingtobringbackthemarsh.Believeitornot,dragonfliescan help!
violetdropwing dragonfly
SignsofHealth
Dragonfliesshowusthehealthofawetland.How?Theyspendmostoftheirlifecycleinthewater.Thewatermustbecleanforthemtolive.MyteamandItrackdragonflies.Whenwecan’tfindthem,weknowthatpartofthemarshneedshelp.Themarshwillrecover.Thenwewillseemore“flying flowers.”