Creating green islands in schools

Author(s)

Nancy Odweyo, Assistant Conservation Education Officer

Date Published

Since its launch in 2016, the Save The Elephants Wildlife Clubs has grown from strength to strength. At present, we have more than 300 active members across 11 schools with a myriad of conservation activities achieved.  In tandem with our mobile lessons, these clubs continue to serve as ideal platforms to widen our reach and spread the conservation message to an even more diverse audience. In the wake of prolonged drought spells, erratic rainfall and the compounding effect of climate change in Kenya, STE Education is engaging and facilitating schools through wildlife clubs to plant and take care of as many trees as their spaces can accommodate.

This exercise gives students an opportunity to play their part in the fight against climate change. In more ambitious schools where teachers have adopted a ‘one tree for every child’ approach, we are already seeing positive results. With this approach, every single sapling receives individual care and attention thus increasing their chance of survival.

Through the tree planting exercise, we hope to steadily but gradually turn schools into green islands. We will be working in close partnership with head teachers and club patrons to select the most suitable tree species with high chances of surviving and thriving in the fragile semi-arid area.

STE Education Officers supplying tree seedlings to schools

Tree seedlings ready for planting