Conservation education has been one of the key pillars of Laikipia Wildlife Forum in driving sustainability and creating resilience for the local communities, especially for students and the youth. Students are critical in championing conservation efforts, but enhancing their understanding through practical models away from the confinement of the classroom is key. Our school outreach program seeks to improve student awareness through conservation education debates, games, and competitions to make environmental education interactive and comprehensible.
On 22ndMarch, LWF participated in the All-Age Fun Fair at St. Christopher’s School in Nanyuki. The Fun Fair brought together parents and students to learn through different activities such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities, sports, and entertainment from games and dances. The exhibition booths attracted parents and students, where different entities, including learning institutions, explained their work. LWF was keen to acquaint parents with conservation issues and their integral role in nurturing their children to be environmentally conscious.
Through the exhibition booth, we explained current environmental challenges to the students and introduced them to mitigation and adaptation measures. To make the discussions more interactive, we used the Nexus Dicey game, a conservation education game that utilizes art tailor-made for children and adults. As the students navigated through the game, we posed questions and helped them internalize natural and anthropogenic activities that have adversely affected our environment.
Additionally, we explained to parents other areas of operation and our various active projects, specifically their role in enhancing sustainable livelihoods. We also learnt from other stakeholders driving environmental conservation while striving for their mission.
Parents and students gather for entertainment and interactive games at the St. Christopher’s School grounds
While most schools focus on classroom learning of compulsory subjects, integrating conservation education into the studies is paramount for a healthier environment. Children and youths are the future of sustainability in conservation and environmental management, which calls for mentorship from educators in achieving our set goals. Utilizing opportunities such as the All-Age Fun Fair is among the ways we showcase conservation education in simple and interactive models.
LWF acknowledges that children and youths are key stakeholders in the call for conservation and climate action. Students form part of the diverse community that champions sustainable management of natural resources and the call for climate action—our heartfelt gratitude to David Nderitu and St. Christopher’s School for their invitation to this impactful event.
