State of Africa’s Birds
Sustaining birds and biodiversity in the wider landscapes Children with a connection to nature are much more likely to care for their environment as they grow into adults – helping support the biodiversity that supports their future. Children can make a change, let us show them how.
RESPONSE: Conserving biodiversity Connecting young people across Africa
The Wildlife Clubs of Africa project funded by the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation combined biodiversity conservation with education and sustainable development initiatives. It successfully linked over 350,000 African children with the rest of the world through a network of school-based wildlife clubs. This network integrated African children across the participating countries into the global conservation community through environmental education. The project had two phases: one involving 16 African country partners (2008-2011); the second involved five countries, namely Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. About 5,862 African schools took part in wildlife club activities in the first phase. These included growing and supplying saplings to local communities, bird counting and school greening among other activities like art, lectures and drama. This also connected school children across these nations. Approximately 2,000 wildlife clubs were created in the second phase with a combined membership of almost 150,000 children between 2012 and 2014. Similarly, Spring Alive Africa is present across 14 African countries. This approach aims at developing children’s interest in nature and the conservation of migratory birds. It also encourages them to take action for wildlife and birds by participating in events organized by BirdLife Partners, such as the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, International Vulture Awareness Day, World Environment Day and World Wetlands Day.
School pupils engaging in birdwatching and being trained how to use binoculars and telescopes. (PHOTO: ©Nature Uganda)
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