Project now included in all 2 & 3 Month Kenya Programmes

 

The coastal ecosystem of Kenya is rich in biological resources including long white sandy beaches, diverse coral reefs and mangroves, rich cultural history and traditions, and abundant marine and terrestrial wildlife. It is listed as one of the top 25 Global Biodiversity Hotspots - harbouring more species of plant and animal life than anywhere else on Earth.

 

 

Highlights

 

• Practical Marine Conservation
• Working with communities to protect fish breeding sites
• Mangrove Protection
• Eco-Tourism Development
• Shoreline Safaris and Beach clean-ups
• Wildlife Spotting - Whale Sharks, Dolphins & Turtles (Seasonal)
  

 

 

Example Itinerary (5 days)

 

 

Day	Time	Activities
1	0900 0930 1030 1100 1200 1300 1400	Arrival Orientation/Introduction to MCP Break Lecture (Mangrove conservation) Mangrove Swamp tour Lunch (cooking with community) Constructing fish ponds
2	0930 1230 1400 1500 1700	Constructing fish ponds Lunch (cooking with community) Lecture (Sustainable fishing) Mangrove tree planting Depart to camp
3	0930 1000 1100 1300 1300 1400 1700	Arrival Lecture (Threats to coral reefs) Marine eco-tourism development Lunch (cooking with community) Lunch (coastal cuisine) Sustainable crab farming project Depart to camp
4	0930 1000 1130 1300 1400 1700	Arrival Gap-led mangrove tour for local school Marine Education Workshop preparation Lunch Marine Education Workshop preparation Depart to camp
5	0930 1230 1400 1700	School Environmental workshop Lunch Final afternoon for completing project work Depart to camp

 

Note

 

Since many of our activities are dependent on tides, the itinerary may change. Since wildlife sightings are subject to their seasonal, migratory and breeding patterns, the species you see will depend on the time of year. Dolphins and turtles are seen throughout the year.

 

 

 

Date	Species to look out for
January- March	Whale sharks /Manta ray
May- August	Turtle nesting season
July-October	Whales and Spinner Dolphins
November- December	Spinner Dolphins

 

 

How you can help:

Without the valuable contributions made by hundreds of volunteers, we would not be able to sustain the level of progress that we have already made in this project. By contributing to our Marine Conservation Project, you are playing a crucial role in safeguarding our coral reefs and the biological richness of our coastal environment for future generations to enjoy. You will be involved in:

 

 

• Conducting Internationally recognised Beach Cleanup’s to reduce the amount of litter pollution
• Developing a sustainable marine conservation project
• Gathering valuable marine conservation data
• Coral reef conservation and how to informally teach conservation education and awareness through educational activities within local schools
• Learning new skills alongside the local fishermen such as making baited fish traps and fish trapping fences, which revitalizes traditional and more sustainable fishing methods as well as promote cultural traditions
• Working in partnership with governments, scientific bodies, NGOs, local communities and businesses to ensure an effective conservation process meets the needs of the people and wildlife

 

 

Environmental Education Workshops

 

Our Environmental Education Workshop is a marine curriculum of hands-on activities to promote environmental education & awareness at local primary schools, Environmental Education Workshops (EEW), collectively referred to as ‘Tulinde mazingira’ meaning ‘Let Us Conserve Our Environment’ in Swahili are designed and carried out at local schools.

 

 

Mangrove Conservation and Protection

 

As stated by the US Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, “The environmental benefits of mangroves, as well as their commercial uses, have made mangrove forests very important ecosystems. Many diverse species inhabit mangrove forests, including fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and many other invertebrates. Algae, sponges, corals and anemones can often be found attached to exposed roots. The main threat to mangroves throughout the world is their over-exploitation by man. The destruction of mangrove forests will decrease biodiversity within these areas, increase coastal erosion, storm impacts and decrease fisheries production. It is therefore very important that mangrove lagoons be protected and conservation methods be implemented to ensure their continued health.”

 

 

Community Beach Cleanups

 

In conjunction with Project AWARE

 

Shoreline teams composing of local primary children and ‘Gappers’ not only clean up trash, but the data collected will be instrumental in finding long term solutions to debris problems.

 

 

Shoreline Safaris

 

A guided walk / talk is led by the MCP team accompanying you on a hands on, fact-packed tour along the shoreline. Topics addressed include prey/predator relationship and human impact on the marine environment. Identifying & handling creatures are encouraged, helping to bring the topics to life.

 

 

Publicity Material & Promotion

 

Eco-tips for the coastal & marine environment:

 

Publicity materials and other promotion tools made by you are essential for raising awareness about issues the project is addressing. Principally, the more one knows about the local environment, the less likely they are to step on corals or buy handicrafts made of the shells of vanishing species.

 

 

Baraka Conservation Group

In a bid to have a sustainable impact on improving livelihoods dependant upon marine resources, we have recently partnered with the Makongeni Baraka Conservation Group which is led by women from the area. The group is constructing several ecofriendly fishponds, resorting mangrove forests and developing ecotourism activities

 

 

 

 

East African Whale Shark Trust

The Camp Kenya Trust also supports the East African Whale Shark Trust which is located at Diani / Kinondo Beach, Kenya. In November 2002 worldwide public concern about the unrestricted hunting of whale sharks prompted a further proposal to list the whale shark as an endangered species under CITES. E.A.W.S.T. aims to provide a research centre for collecting and analysing data regarding the local whale shark population, its habits and movements. The Trust works with other regional projects with the long-term goal of promoting conservation and increasing protection for the biggest fish in the ocean, The Whale Shark.

 

(Note: As with many wildlife programmes, sightings are subject to both the seasonal, migratory and breeding patterns of subject species and as with safari, there are no guarantees).