Program: Community Wildlife Management

The Problem in Context
In recent years, there has been a steady shift in land use from purely pastoral to mixed agropastoral systems in the ranches that occupy the land between Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks in southern Kenya. This land use change is driven by various socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors. The integrity and quality of dispersal habitats for a wide variety of wildlife species that historically have dispersed across the group ranches while migrating between the parks is severly compromised. Such dispersal hindrances are turning protected areas such as Amboseli National Park into ecological islands that cannot sustain natural ecological processes nor maintain the high density and diversity of wildlife species that typically use these areas for dry season grazing. 

Program Description
Students will examine how land-use practices within Maasai group ranches (Kuku Kimana Mbirikani) can be sustainably managed to enhance the economic livelihood of the local population and at the same time promote wildlife conservation. This course also explores the potential for rethinking wildlife as a source of income generation, rather than as a competitor for space and water and/or as a threat to human endeavor. Students will gain a general overview of conservation issues, wildlife dispersal areas, and biodiversity conservation in Kenya while meeting and interviewing wildlife managers, learning practical field skills, and gaining insights into cultural perceptions by speaking with members of the local community. In addition, students will spend time in field exercises collecting data for the Center's long-term research projects aimed at finding solutions to the human/wildlife conflict in Kenya.

Program Details

Credits	4 environmental studies credits
Dates	Summer I, 2008: June 9 - July 8 Cancelled - read the announcement Summer II, 2008: July 14 - August 12  - this session only
Location/Base	Summer 2008: at the base of Mt. Killimanjaro (specific site TBA).
Program Fees	Summer 2008: $4,115 (includes all tuition, room, board, local travel. Fee excludes airfare).
Prerequisites	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	Visit cultural manyattas to gain insight into Maasai cultural history and traditions. Obtain field skills in vegetation sampling, community surveys, and wildlife abundance assessments. Learn about social organization, basic taxonomy, and conservation status of charismatic common large mammals in African savanna ecosystems. Travel on field lectures to study various changing land uses among pastoral communities and implications of these to wildlife and environmental 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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