Aruna Bangura is a passionate environmentalist by training and oncseervationist by heart. His work focuses on climate change adaptation using nature-based solutions that integrate science, policy, and community practice. Aruna has hands-on experience in environmental research, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable beekeeping, having trained over 400 community members, restored native trees and boosted ecosystem services. At Tiwai Island, he supports monitoring wildlife with camera traps and contributes to GIS-based conservation planning. Aruna was recognised by The Iris Project as the Seed Prize runner-up in 2023 and went on to win the Stem Prize in 2024. He is a proud alumni of the Coalitionwild EXCELerator program. Aruna is committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals by empowering local communities and implementing innovative, research-driven solutions to climate challenges across Sierra Leone and beyond.