Our Conservation Education unit remains committed to promoting environmental awareness and equipping learners with the practical skills necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change and address other environmental challenges. In partnership with institutions such as Three Rivers Academy, Borana Conservancy, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, William Holden, among others, LWF focuses on hands-on environmental activities that empower learners to understand and tackle climate change at the local level. Recent initiatives highlight these collaborative efforts through workshops and community engagement designed to enhance conservation education.
Borana/Lewa Conservation Education Workshop
This quarter, we participated in a two-day workshop organized by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Borana Conservancy, which brought together teachers from 32 primary and secondary schools across Laikipia, Meru, and Isiolo Counties. The workshop aimed to deepen teachers’ understanding of environmental education and help them integrate it with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
During the workshop, Ephantus Mugo, the Conservation Education Coordinator at Lewa, led a session on the current environmental status. He emphasized the need to broaden conservation efforts beyond tree-planting to include essential practices like water conservation, waste management, soil preservation, and energy efficiency. This holistic approach ensures that environmental education is comprehensive and practical for learners.
Ephantus Mugo engages educators and stakeholders on the first day of the workshop at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Fidel Omondi, the Assistant Conservation Education Coordinator at Lewa, outlined the key components of environmental education, which include awareness, knowledge, attitude, skills, and participation. He emphasized how these elements can be incorporated into the Kenya school curriculum to foster sustainable practices among students. Another key session, led by Alfred Muriuki, introduced the integration of digital tools into conservation education. Using platforms such as PACE (Pan African Conservation Education) and ChatGPT, educators can generate innovative conservation projects and engage students through technology-driven methods.
At Borana Conservancy, Mwangi Gachagua presented the concept of ‘green schools,’ institutions dedicated to environmental sustainability. These schools implement eco-friendly practices such as efficient resource use, sustainable curricula, and energy conservation, making them models of environmental stewardship for students and the community alike.
Community Conservation Day at Kimanjo Secondary School
LWF also took part in the Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs’ (NKCC) Community Conservation Day held at Kimanjo Secondary School. This initiative gathered conservation clubs from various primary and secondary schools to showcase their understanding of environmental conservation. Students expressed their views on climate change, land degradation, and human-wildlife conflict through creative presentations, including skits, poems, and traditional songs.
The students further demonstrated practical solutions, highlighting the importance of recycling and reusing materials. Projects such as turning old jeans into sofas and repurposing wine bottles into decorations underscored the importance of the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This event provided a platform for the broader community to learn from the students’ innovative approaches and engage in discussions on sustainable practices and wildlife conservation.
Practical Environmental Activities at Three Rivers Academy
LWF has also strengthened its partnership with Three Rivers Academy, focusing on practical environmental activities that directly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. This collaboration provides students with hands-on experience in areas such as water harvesting, tree planting, and sustainable waste management. These activities not only equip learners with valuable practical skills but also cultivate a deep sense of environmental stewardship.
Through these partnerships with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Borana Conservancy, the NKCC, William Holden and schools such asThree Rivers Academy, LWF is advancing conservation education by making it more practical and relevant. By fostering collaboration, these efforts ensure that learners and communities are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability.
