Conservation Education

One of the core functions of KWS is to provide wildlife education and extension services to the public for their support in wildlife conservation. This contributes to the overall KWS mandate in terms of enhancing wildlife conservation, protection, and management, improving KWS’s linkages, recognition and relationships with stakeholders.

Effective wildlife conservation in Kenya calls for immediate and long-term changes in practice, management and perception towards wildlife and its conservation. Conservation Education is instrumental in soliciting for support from both local and international communities.

Challenges facing conservation are increasing by the day. Changing lifestyles have led our populations to be disconnected from matters of conservation of wildlife and its habitats. To most students, teachers and community members, a visit to the parks is a learning experience.

 

 

Considering the importance of wildlife to the National Economic needs, international image and as a natural resource, KWS has Educational facilities situated across all the eight conservation areas consisting of Education and Information Centres that offer diversified Educational programs to different target groups. The Educational facilities consist of:

  1. Education Centres

These are fully fledged Education facilities with hostels, kitchen and amphitheatre /hall for accommodation of school / organized groups. These facilities are located in our major National parks to provide information through talks, Video shows and Education materials to individuals or organized groups who visit the park.

The four Educations Centres are: 

  1. Murera Education Centre
  • Murera Education Center is situated in Meru National Park in Eastern Conservation Area.
  • For more information contact: Warden Education, Murera Education Centre, Meru National Park P.O. Box 11- 00600, Maua, Kenya. Telephone: landline: +254 61-2303094 Wireless: +254 20-2310443, +254 20-269477. Email: merupark@kws.go.ke

 

  1. Tsavo East Education Centre
  • Tsavo East Education Centre is situated in Tsavo East National Park.
  • For more information contact: Warden Education, Tsavo East Education Centre, Tsavo East National Park, P. O. Box 14, Voi, Kenya . Phone:Wireless  +254-20-2384417 Landline: +254-43 2030049, +254-43 2031342, +254-43 2031011. Email: tsavoeast@kws.go.ke

 

  1. Nairobi Education Centre
  • Nairobi Education Centre is situated 10km from the City center, next to the Nairobi National Park in Southern Conservation Area.
  • For more information contact: Senior warden, Nairobi Education Centre, P.O. 40241-00100, Nairobi. Tel 020- 6000800. E-mail: nsw@kws.go.ke

 

  1. Lake Nakuru Education Centre
  • Lake Nakuru Education Centre is located in Lake Nakuru National Park about 3 km from Nakuru town. 
  • For more information contact: Postal Address: Education Warden, Lake Nakuru Education Centre, Lake Nakuru National Park, P.O. Box 539-20100, Nakuru, Kenya. Tel: Direct Line +254 20-2671685. Email: swlakenakuru@kws.go.ke

 

  1. Information Centres

Information Centres are facilities that offer conservation information and Education in KWS Parks and Stations. The Information centres are:

  • Aberdares N. Park
  • Arabuko Sokoke
  • Watamu Marine Reserve
  • Malindi Marine Park
  • Kisite
  • Hells Gate N. Park
  • Saiwa Swamp N. park
  • Mt Elgon N. Park
  • Kakamega Forest N. Reserve
  • Ruma N. Park
  • Kiunga Marine Reserve

 

  1. Other education facilities

In addition Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk offer conservation Education together with captive wildlife management and tourism promotion. 

The education and Information centres offer diversified Educational programs to different target groups aimed to promote and create an understanding of wildlife, their habitats and the need for conservation. We also aim to win support for wildlife conservation and community participation in conservation efforts.

At the Centers, the following services are offered, namely: prepared lecture on various conservation issues and topics, wildlife Video shows, park interpretation and bus hire.  These offer the park visitors with opportunities to connect and understand nature thus enhancing their enjoyment and appreciation of conservation efforts. Parks are outdoor classrooms that offer students a lifetime opportunity of learning about nature and to participate in activities that enhance the wellbeing of the ecosystems.

  • School Essay competition

This is an annual event involve schools and higher learning institutions in essay writing on conservation issues. The program gives an opportunity to students and pupils to air their views on viable and practical ideas in support of Wildlife conservation.

  • Kenya Music festival

This is an annual event where KWS sponsor category under Wildlife conservation themes that schools and higher learning institutions compose conservation messages in form of songs, choral verses and public speaking.

  • Special programs

They are designed to address a specific conservation issues in a specific area, where community and youths groups are involved in decision making. Development partners supported projects:

  1. PASMAP in 32 schools
  2. Parks Canada project
  3. JICA & JOCV program
  • Community Education programs

It involves general sensitization of the communities adjacent to protected areas on conservation issues

  • Media programs

These are radio and TV programs to sensitize the public and schools on conservation issues. In collaboration with media houses, children programs are organized in Education facilities which give children an opportunity to interact with nature and learn animal behavior.

  • Education Exhibitions and trade fares

These are Exhibitions that gives an opportunity to schools and general public to learn more about conservation issues. Mostly carried out during world biodiversity importance day’s celebrations, higher learning institutions career fares and trade fares.

  • Outreach Programs

Education programs provided to communities and schools in their respective areas

  • In-house

These are Education programs provided to organized groups visiting facilities within a specific area