This course introduces students to natural history, biodiversity & conservation challenges (and potential solutions) in East Africa through the lens of Kenya. Seminars, class debates, guest lectures, field practica, and field trips introduce the geological history East Africa, the biota and the diverse habitats of Kenya (freshwater, forest and savanna systems) together with some of its cultural, economic and political history – as well as the scientific method and field research techniques, the. We also explore assessment of traditional and emerging land uses and their impacts on ecosystems, and an analysis of contemporary conservation issues, particularly those related to competing land uses, to the expansion of tourism, and to the development aspirations of community stakeholders. We will visit Nairobi and at 3 locations: Lake Naivasha, Kakamega and Masai Mara. Each field site serves as a geographic focus for field exercises or group projects. We will pass through local communities and hopefully meet some experts engaged in biodiversity conservation while gaining insights into local culture. We have longstanding contacts and friends in Kenya with whom we have worked for many years who will help us ensure the safest and most cost effective experience possible. For logistical support, we will be working our friends at Bunduz and owner Mukhtar, with whom we have worked multiple times previously, and will be supported by our colleague and friend Carol Muriuki and TA Cletus Lunalo.

SAFARI YA KIELIMU KENYA
Mukhtasari

Kozi hii inawatambulisha wanafunzi kwa historia asilia, bayoanuwai na changamoto za uhifadhi (pamoja na suluhisho zake) katika Afrika ya Mashariki hususan nchini Kenya. Semina, midahalo, mihadhara, mafunzo ya vitendo na safari za kielimu zitakazotambulisha historia ya kijiolojia ya Afrika Mashariki, viumbe hai na makazi mbalimbali (mifumo ya maji safi, misitu na savana).Vipengele vya historia ya kitamaduni, kiuchumi na kisiasa; pamoja na mbinu za kisayansi pia zitachambuliwa.

Tutachunguza pia tathmini ya matumizi ya ardhi na athari zake kwa mifumo ya ikolojia, pamoja na uchambuzi wa masuala ya sasa ya uhifadhi, hasa yanayohusiana na ushindani katika matumizi ya ardhi, utalii, na matarajio ya maendeleo ya wadau wa jamii.

Tutatembelea Nairobi na katika maeneo matatu: Ziwa Naivasha, msitu wa Kakamega na mbuga ya Masai Mara. Kila eneo hapa litatumika kama kiini cha mazoezi ya vitendo au shughuli za kimradi. Tutapita katika jamii zinazoishi eneo hizi.Tunatarajia pia kukutana na baadhi ya wataalamu wanaojihusisha na uhifadhi wa bayoanuwai. Wataalamu hawa watatupa maarifa kuhusu tamaduni za wenyeji wa eneo hizo.

Tuna uhusiano wa muda mrefu na marafiki wetu walioko Kenya ambao tumekuwa tukifanya kazi nao kwa miaka mingi.Marafiki hawa watatusaidia kuhakikisha kuna usalama na gharama nafuu katika utekelezaji wa kosi hii. Kwa msaada wa kiutendaji, tutashirikiana na marafiki zetu wa Bunduz na mmiliki wao Mukhtar, ambaye hapo awali tumefanya naye kazi mara nyingi.Pia tutasaidiwa na marafiki zetu Carol Muriuki na mkufunzi msaidizi, Cletus Lunalo.

Instructors:

Logistical support is provided by Bunduz, a local outfitter company overseen my Mukhtar Sidi