Student Conservation Clubs

It is generally accepted that the success of conservation efforts hinge heavily on the support of the local communities living in and around the particular ecosystem; thus there has been a strong emphasis on providing economic benefits from wildlife in the form of employment in tourism industries centered around national parks and protected areas in Zambia.

While this has resulted in very substantial sources of income for local communities, wildlife research and management positions are typically allotted to qualified applicants who have received university training in Zambia or abroad, with local students rarely able to compete for these positions due to their lack of training and advanced educational opportunities.

Consequently ZCP has partnered with Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust (CWET) and local Mfuwe secondary school’s Conservation Clubs to institute a 3-tiered approach aimed at:

1) Better preparing local students for employment in wildlife-related fields through hands-on field-research opportunities and computer training.

2) Teaching students science through ‘adventure-based learning,’ allowing for hands-on experience in creating and conducting research

3) Contributing to knowledge and conservation of wildlife in the region around villages.

$1,000 can fund almost 1 full year of computer training at the newly established Student Conservation Resource Office and help prepare future generations of wildlife biologists.

To make your donation and support this crucial effort, donate online HERE and specify “Generosity in Action’s Fund – Zambian Carnivore – Student Conservation” in the comment box provided.

Our day-to-day work is largely conducted by CWET’s Conservation Education Coordinator, Rochelle James.  Rochelle, with the guidance and assistance of both organizations and conservation club instructors, will implement a wide range of wildlife conservation activities, ranging from Teacher’s Resource Packet lessons, wildlife identification games, and discussions and role-playing on wildlife conflict issues in the valley, in addition to providing instruction on how to conduct wildlife research and science in general.

A new initiative aimed at having students conceive, design and conduct their own scientific research with the use of infrared motion-sensor cameras is now slated for the upcoming year.  These devices are increasingly used in wildlife research and will be employed to address a variety of student-generated questions ranging from elephant crop depredation to carnivore survey methods.  The programme builds on years of successful conservation education work by CWET and the new wildlife research activities follow a similar design successfully conducted by the ZCP Programme Manager with secondary students in the United States and emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and the acquisition of skills in research and technology.

Conservation clubs have been strongly supported by CWET and have resulted in the identification, support, and employment of promising students and young professionals such as Thandiwe Mweetwa and Chapuma Chirwa (see staff members above).