blank pixel spacer Kakamega integrated conservation project
Promotion of Environmental & Conservation Education


Many of the threats facing Kakamega Forest arise from inadequate knowledge and understanding among stakeholders about the importance of forest biodiversity, its conservation and the consequences of its destruction. Education on these issues to the stakeholders who include local communities near the forest, other forest users, manufacturers and consumers of timber produce, decision-makers, administrators, politicians and lawmakers is critical for the survival of the forest.

In the longer term, creating awareness about forest conservation among children will pay off when they become decision-makers, forest managers and users. Awareness is also being created about alternative economic activities that can reduce pressure on the forest.

Extension workers on nature walk
Nature walk in the forest conducted by KEEP

Extension workers on nature walk
KEEP also conducts biology lessons to children and adults in Kakamega Forest

An estimated 57 villages around the forest with about 60 schools forms a large potential audience for an environmental conservation education program. The program is working in collaboration with and strengthening a local initiative, the Kakamega Environmental Education Program (KEEP). The Integrated Conservation Project facilitates training of KEEP members on conservation related topics and provided bicycles to KEEP to transport them to distant schools around the forest.
Bicycles are provided to KEEP enhance the group's transportation capabilities to schools and community.
Bicycles provided to KEEP enhance the group's transportation capabilities to schools and the community.

Education by KEEP to school children
Education by KEEP to school children

  • KEEP has focused environmental conservation education on school children. The education to school children covers the following areas: the importance of forest biodiversity, its conservation, consequences of its destruction and alternative activities that could reduce the pressure on the forest. KEEP members also show television and video conservation documentaries to the community at the KEEP resource center. KEEP members also conduct nature tours around the forest.
Training in coservation related activites
Training programs in conservation related activites such as installation of fuel wood energy-saving stoves

  • ICIPE local extension workers drawn from the KEEP membership focus on educating the adult community. Environmental conservation education to adults includes lectures on the significance of Kakamega Forest, sustainable exploitation of forest products and how the local communities could best conserve the forest by adopting alternative energy and economic activities that this project has introduced into the Kakamega project area.
KEEP members wearing promotional T-shirts
KEEP members wearing promotional T-shirts to help publicize the conservation message

 

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