Project Description

Wildlife Warriors Kids Teachers Convention

August, 9th, 2021

WildlifeDirect team with the teachers at the second Wildlife Warriors Kids Teachers Convention at Mpala Research Centre © Clement Kiragu

To support our growing network of Wildlife Warriors Kids clubs in schools across the nation, we need effective teachers. That’s why we hold exciting wilderness-based teachers conventions. We have just concluded the second Wildlife Warriors Teachers Convention at Mpala Research Center with 16 teachers from schools in Nairobi, Kajiado, Kitui, Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Samburu and Marsabit counties. They enjoyed five days of camp life and field training in botany, ecology, entomology, ornithology, mammalogy, photography, botany, storytelling, citizen science and conservation education taught by experts from Kenya and the USA.

Field trips gave teachers close up experiences with elephants, African Wild Dogs, Grevy’s zebras, birds, hippos, lions, leopards and many more species.

This Convention was funded by the National Geographic Society and hosted at Mpala thanks to Dr Dino Martins and his team.

A memorable moment for the teachers watching a herd of elephants

Observing Mpala’s African Wild Dogs – the “Phoenix Pack”

Learning about research on the Vulturine Guineafowls

“The Teachers Convention at Mpala was very educative and inspirational. We learnt from both nature and experts. We came out highly motivated and eager to share what we learnt with young Wildlife Warriors at school!” – Duncan Mbyuta, Ithiani Primary School, Kitui.

“The Wildlife Warriors Kids Teachers Convention was a moment to forever remember. I discovered so much about nature which gave a new positive look to life on earth.” – Daria Njiru, Kithoka Primary School, Meru.

Clement Kiragu mentoring Teacher Harrison Karanja on Wildlife Photography

Observing ants on the Whistling Thorn Acacia

Teachers learn to press plants

Tracking Vulturine Guineafowls with Brendah Nyaguthii – field manager on the Vulturine Guineafowl project at Mpala Research Centre

Teachers hug and touch the Yellow – barked Acacia

Teachers observing insects