Wildlife Warriors Kids Restoration Challenge

Introduction

The vitality and diversity of Earth’s ecosystems are the basis of human prosperity and well-being. Yet we are degrading these precious resources in alarming ways. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is an opportunity to help turn the tide and give people and nature a sustainable future.

Sunday, June 5th is World Environment Day and this year’s theme is #OnlyOneEarth. It calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet.  WildlifeDirect is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2nd Wildlife Warriors Kids Ecosystem Restoration Challenge targeting public and community primary schools in Kenya

Ecosystems are dynamic communities of plants, animals, and microorganisms interacting with their physical environment as functional units such as forests, lakes, rivers, grasslands, savannas, and coral reefs. Ecosystem degradation is when an ecosystem is damaged and cannot function properly. The damage can be caused by natural causes or human activities and it can be mild, serious, or even irreversible. 

Ecosystem restoration is thus the practice of restoring damaged ecosystems. This is by removing the source of destruction and repairing it. Restoration activities include grass reseeding, tree growing, installing artificial reefs, cleaning up rivers and oceans, removing dams, reintroducing species, and removing invasive species.

Kids Restoring Nature Challenge

The Wildlife Warriors Kids Restoring Nature Challenge will support children in public and community primary schools in Kenya who are enrolled in the Wildlife Warriors Kids program to design and implement ecosystem restoration projects in their communities.  

What is the challenge?

Children will be expected to Look around; Think, Design, and submit their ideas for the restoration of ecosystems in the form of projects. We encourage students to observe their environment, document any evidence of degradation and plan the project. The ideas could be as simple as collecting garbage in their community or as complex as designing an Eco-Forest. All ideas must be fun, well thought out, and achievable. The winning schools will receive support that should help them bring their ideas to life.

Each project must have SMART objectives, Clear Activities to achieve the objectives and a reasonable budget.

The Prize

  1. First Prize – (2) schools – Ksh. 150,000 each
  2. Second Prize – (2) schools – Ksh. 100,000 each
  3. Third Prize – (4) schools – Kshs. 75,000 each
  4. Fourth Prize – (4) schools – Kshs. 50,000 each

When is it starting?

The Wildlife Warriors Kids Ecosystem Restoration Challenge will begin on Sunday 5th June 2022 (World Environment Day) to create an opportunity for children to be involved in the restoration of their own environments.

Deadline: The proposals should be submitted on or before 5th July 2022 

Who can apply?

The challenge is open to all Wildlife Warriors Kids Clubs members in public & community primary schools in Kenya only.

To sign up for the Wildlife Warriors Club, Click HERE

How can you apply? 

  • Organize a club meeting and discuss with your members the local ecosystem degradation found in your area.
  • Allow the children to point out the different ecosystem threats in the school community.
  • Allow the children to pitch ideas on how they can revive the degraded ecosystems. Club members should vote for the best idea. Share a video or audio of the child pitching the idea for proof (parental consent must be obtained in writing).
  • Examples of ideas includes; Greening cities, clean-ups, beekeeping, butterfly farming, tree growing etc.
  • The ecosystem restoration idea has to be local, engaging, and innovative and have a clear sustainability plan.

To participate in the Wildlife Warriors Kids Ecosystem Challenge, submit your application form to WildlifeDirect Kenya Office, P.O. Box 24467 Karen 00502, Nairobi, Kenya, or via email to info@wildlifedirect.org. 

Download the application form HERE or fill it online HERE 

Terms and Conditions

  • The theme of the Wildlife Warriors Kids Ecosystem Restoration Challenge is Ecosystem Restoration. All projects must be in line with this theme.
  • The challenge is only open to all Wildlife Warriors Kids. If your school is not enrolled please, fill out the registration form HERE.
  • Competition is only open to Public and Community Primary Schools in Kenya. Private and international schools are NOT eligible.
  • The ecosystem restoration idea should be local and engaging. 
  • Schools must have an operational Kenya Shillings bank account.
  • School projects must be approved by the school head teacher.
  • Project ideas must come from the students themselves
  • Wildlife Warriors Kids Club Patrons should organize a club meeting and discuss with their students the ecosystem degradation found in their local area. The evidence will be club minutes and a group photo. 
  • The club patrons will also invite the students to identify the different ecosystem threats in the school community and to document them as notes, drawings, or photographs.
  • With the students sitting together in a circle, the club patron will ask them to suggest ideas on what they can do to restore the degraded areas. Club members should discuss the ideas and then vote for the best idea (each student can have 3 votes). 
  • Document when the students are sharing their ideas in photo or video form (Share with WildlifeDirect the photos or/and videos via email info@wildlifedirect.org or WhatsApp mobile number 0705 133 509 once written parental consent has been signed). 
  • The budget must be allocable, reasonable, and verifiable.
  • Funds will only be used for the projects they are awarded.
  • Funds will be disbursed on a 40% – 40% – 20% basis. The second and third payments will be made after accounting of previous payments has been made and verified.
  • An independent panel of judges will be chosen to select the winning proposals.