The Problem in Context
Nairobi National Park (NNP) is the only national park in the world within its country’s capital city, creating unique conservation challenges and opportunities. The SFS Nairobi National Park Site (NPS) is located in the Athi-Kapiti plains ecosystem, 20 kilometers from Nairobi, along the southern border of NNP and the Mbagathi River. The region is a critical habitat and dispersal area for wildlife, but only this small part of the northern Athi-Kapiti plains and the Nairobi-Kitengela ecosystem has been protected. The Kitengela wildlife dispersal area south of the park is not protected and is increasingly threatened by the contraction of open space due to urban expansion. Cities such as Nairobi, small towns, industries (e.g. Portland and Bamburi cement factories) and agriculture (e.g. commercial flower farming, subsistence cultivation) now appear in the landscape where only Maasai, wildlife, and livestock once roamed freely. The ecological problems arising from urban expansion include insularization of the wildlife and their habitat, resulting in overgrazing, population inbreeding, and high incidence of conflict among humans and wildlife. For these reasons, the Nairobi National Park represents a classic example of the threats, challenges and opportunities facing most protected areas in Kenya. 

Research Focus
Students in this course will examine the challenges and opportunities of biodiversity conservation and tourism in these protected areas. The case of the Nairobi National Park will be compared to the Lake Nakuru National Park, a completely insularized protected area and a world famous birdlife sanctuary in Kenya’s Rift Valley. After learning to identify the major animal and plant species of the region, students will investigate how these are affected by tourism, urbanization, and insularization in the Nairobi-Kitengela and Nakuru-Naivasha ecosystems. Students will meet with and interview wildlife managers, learn practical field skills, and gain insights into cultural perceptions by speaking with members of the Maasai community. Field trips and data collection exercises will comprise a critical component of this summer program. Students will gain a general overview of conservation issues, wildlife dispersal areas, and biodiversity conservation in Kenya. In addition, they will spend time in field exercises collecting data for the Center for Wildlife Management Studies’ long-term research projects aimed at finding solutions to the human/wildlife conflict in Kenya. 

Program Details

Credits 4 environmental studies credits Dates Summer Session I 2009: June 8 - July 7 Location/Base Summer 2009: SFS Nairobi National Park Site  Program tuition & fees Total: $4,280 Tuition: $2,710 Program fees: $1,570 (includes room, board, local travel and park entrance fees. Fee excludes airfare.) Prerequisites College undergraduates: no academic prerequisite High school students: 16 years of age, good academic standing, completion of at least junior year of high school Financial Aid Need-based scholarships, loans, and travel grants available. Visit our financial aid section for more information Field Research, Lectures, & Exercises Learn about social organization, basic taxonomy, and conservation status of charismatic common large mammals in African savanna ecosystems Travel on field lectures to study changing land uses among pastoral communities and implications of these to wildlife and environmental conservation Practice field observation techniques for large mammal identification and behavioral studies and game counting techniques for assessment of large mammal species diversity Engage in participatory approaches to resource assessment and conservation Community Focus Our program in Kenya is oriented toward helping the Maasai preserve their traditional way of life and peacefully co-exist with Kenya's important wildlife population. Close connections with the local community have helped establish SFS as a trusted and respected resource. Students have many opportunitites to learn about Kenyan culture and interact with local communities, including the Maasai. Farmers, ranchers, and park wardens may be interviewed during academic projects, and students often participate in sporting events and community service activities.

Language of Instruction
English

Application Deadline
Rolling admissions

Courses
Summer students are registered in one academic course accredited through Boston University: EE (NS) 350 Community Wildlife Management (4 credits) - See our course description page for more details.

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