- increasing understanding about the local environment -

Introduction

The long-term sustainability of conservation efforts in Laikipia is linked to the environmental awareness of the youth.  The great majority of Kenyan children have never seen wildlife in their natural environment, despite living in a country with rich wildlife resources and an economy largely dependent on wildlife tourism.

In recognising that most Kenyan schools lack resources to implement an environmental education curriculum, train teachers, or take children to existing field study centres, in 2004, with support from Save the Rhino International and Chester Zoo, LWF set up the Environmental Education Programme, to engage the next generation of responsible and committed Kenyans to work towards sustained conservation of the Laikipia ecosystem. 

There are 274 Primary schools in Laikipia District (9,500km²), with an enrolment of 83,538 pupils, and a further 12,959 pupils in 60 secondary schools.

Programme Objectives

• To link schools with existing environmental education centres and wildlife conservancies across the District and help to address the problems facing our environmental resources.
• To assist teachers to implement an environmental curriculum in schools as well as train them on conservation issues to ensure that all students get the chance to learn its importance. 
• To develop educational materials focused specifically with conservation issues. These will enable students not only to learn about wildlife and conservation but also to see what is actually happening around them with regards to conservation, and engare them in these initiatives.

How the Programme Works

The Environmental Officer:  The Environmental Education Programme is managed by the Environmental Education Officer (EEO) Ephantus Mugo.

The Environmental Bus: LWF has a game viewing truck which helps link school children with education centres and wildlife conservancies in Laikipia. The bus has a seating capacity for 30 passengers, and the intercom system allows clear communication by the Environmental Education Officer to the students during field trips.

Education Materials:   LWF has a fully resourced library of reference books and videos on the following subjects:

• Field guides and animal behaviour
• Environmental and wildlife conservation
• Trees and forest conservation
• Water conservation 
• Renewable energy sources
• Waste and recycling  
  

• LWF also has developed a ‘Students Field Handbook’ with support from Nando Peretti Foundation, and the booklet, which covers the above topics, is used by all students during field visits.
• 18 binoculars
• Metallic posters which are placed on the outside of the bus to assist lectures in the field
• Skull replicas of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores
  

Programme Activities:

• Lectures and Video shows:  Held within school compounds, and targets larger groups than the bus allows. 
• Essay writing:  Following exposure from field visits, once a year students are invited  to contribute essays on a chosen environmental topics.  Certificates and prizes are awarded.
• Field Visits:  Involves the use of the bus, which transports school children (or adult groups) to conservancies and education centres in the district.
  

More than 5,000 individuals benefited from LWF's Environmnetal Education Programme last year.  All wildlife conservancies and education centres in the district have kindly agreed to host the schools free of charge, and LWF thanks Borana Ranch, Ol Jogi Game Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia Nature Conservancy, Mugie Ranch, and the William Holden Wildlife Education Centre.

More Info:  Ephantus Mugo – Environmental Education Officer
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