North Luangwa's Conservation Education Programme

In support of its long-term conservation aims, the North Luangwa Conservation Project (NLCP) conducts an innovative and highly targeted Conservation Education Programme (CEP) in 20 schools in the communities bordering the North Luangwa National Park (NLNP).  The CEP is designed to enhance the environmental and wildlife understanding of nearly 2,000 students from 20 local schools who, through their appreciation of the value of natural resources, will be vital to future of this unique wilderness ecosystem. Occasionally the CEP also targets Community Resource Boards in the Game Management Areas that surround the Park, as well as selected schools in Zambia’s major towns. All activities under this arm of NLCP’s operations are undertaken in partnership with District Education Authorities.

The great majority of Zambian children have never seen wildlife in their natural environment, despite living in a country with rich wildlife resources and an economy that is linked to wildlife tourism. However, the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts in Zambia, and in the target area of NLNP and the surrounding communities, is inextricably linked to the environmental awareness of local schoolchildren, the main benefactors of the CEP. The NLCP hopes that by encouraging involvement through conservation education, the next generation of responsible, committed Zambians will work for the sustained conservation of the greater North Luangwa ecosystem.

The CEP is currently being reviewed to make it more strategic, and to link more closely to the NLCP’s conservation aims and objectives, thus aiming to create real conservation impact. In the interim, Save the Rhino is raising funding for the on-going delivery of the CEP in 2009-10, during which the existing content and roll-out will also be reviewed and developed. Ideally, during this time the pro-bono experts will work with NLCP and Save the Rhino staff on developing and expanding the CEP.

The CEP is based on a teachers’ training guide, which is linked to the national school curriculum. It is produced and disseminated by NLCP and its dedicated CEP Officer. The guide covers 33 lessons in a variety of subjects based on conservation, covering issues such as animals (mammals, amphibians, reptiles etc), plants and trees, deforestation, water, soil erosion and overpopulation.

Target audiences for the CEP are Grade 5 pupils (12-14 yrs) in schools adjoining NLNP and the surrounding GMAs. As from September 2008, the CEP has expanded to reach 20 schools out of the 30 local schools, some of which are being reached in conjunction with the North Luangwa Ecosystem Management Project.

To deliver conservation education to adult groups too, the CEP Manager visits Resource Boards in the GMAs that surround North Luangwa National Park to, as well as selected schools in Zambia’s major towns.