An Evening in the African Rainforest of Gabon

Where: Freshford Village Hall
When: 31st January 2024
Time: Door open at 7pm, Talk 7.30pm - 9.30pm (with a break half way through to refill your glass)
Tickets: £10.00 (includes a drink at the Bar)

All funds raised go to Freshford School PTA which contributes to extra Teaching Assistant hours, and many other curriculum enriching programmes.

When Josh Ponte is not being a Freshford parent, he is an explorer, conservationist and champion of one of our planet's most precious ecosystems. For over two decades, he has dedicated his life to documenting the secrets of the African rainforest and all its inhabitants.

In 2001, Josh embarked on an extraordinary journey, leaving behind the comforts of the United Kingdom to live among a group of gorillas in the remote corners of Gabon's southeastern forest. His passion for conservation led him to contribute significantly to the creation of 13 national parks, safeguarding 11% of this remarkable country's pristine wilderness.

In 2004, while raising awareness among local communities about the importance of the protected areas, Josh discovered a diverse tapestry of cultures as precious and endangered as the forest wildlife, all facing the looming threat of a rapacious modern world hungry for natural resources. Josh's unwavering commitment to preserving central Africa's rich cultural and natural heritage earned him a coveted spot among National Geographic explorers. His work, including recording the polyphonic music of pygmy communities and creating an award-winning film exploring the traditions of Bwiti - a belief system informed by the teachings of a sacred Central African root - have enlightened audiences worldwide.

By 2009, he had become a trusted advisor to the President of Gabon, where he continued to safeguard and promote the region's invaluable resources. In 2012, he curated a national exhibition commemorating 50 years of Gabonese independence, underscoring his profound commitment to the land and its people and, for the following two years, he travelled the country in a converted military ambulance with world renowned photographers mining the gap between Gabon's own identity and its reputation internationally.

Today, he spearheads a new approach to African development—an approach that aims to improve opportunity and the prosperity of local people by harnessing the land's resources without compromising its vital functions, biodiversity, or the environmental services these precious forests provide us all, particularly in the face of the daunting challenges posed by climate change.