Education initiatives:
Since 2007 our Field Co-ordinator Humphrey Munene, in conjunction with local education officials, Nature Kenya and KWS, has led education projects aimed at familiarising local primary school aged children to local wildlife and conservation issues. In the last three years these programs have reached out to over 7000 school children in the Mount Kenya Area. Topics such as identifying tree species and wildlife, water preservation, the benefits of elephant fencing and the importance of practising conservation and energy saving techniques are introduced to all children whose futures will depend on such issues. Prizes are given to top performers and every school that participates is given a books for their library on conservation.
Printing and Distributing Educational Materials:
In 2009 & 2010 the Mount Kenya Trust printed over 1400 books to be distributed around local schools and community groups with funding from the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. These books, ‘Kuishi Pamoja’ and ‘Good Fences Make Good Neighbours’, highlight the benefits that can be attained should communities of humans enjoy cordial relationships with local elephant populations.
The Mount Kenya Ecology Booklet, a Trust publication has also been printed and distributed. The booklet is a comprehensive guide on the Mount Kenya environment, highlighting the problems of destroying forest habitats and identifying key flora and fauna species aimed at schools in the Mount Kenya area. A second publication out soon will serve as a comprehensive guide to Kenyans and tourists with an interest in the biodiversity of Mount Kenya.
