Global Education to Change the World

In many parts of the world there are large efforts being taken to protect animal species that have become endangered, to restore their populations, protect their environments, and ensure that they are not pushed to extinction. One such project being worked on by the African People and Wildlife Fund (APW) is working to recover the lion populations in Masai territory.

The biggest conflict between the Masai and the lions is that when Lions attack their livestock, their largest food sources, they defend their herds against the lions, and often kill the lions. As a result, lion populations decrease, because lions don't differentiate between livestock. They see a herd of goats or cattle that are easy targets for prey. The APW has taken a few different steps to restore the lion population. First off they have been building 'living walls' as livestock containment fences. These walls are essentially constructed from a chain link fence that has vines and trees planted and woven through it. The plants continue to take root and grow forming a tall, practically impenetrable wall to keep the lions out and the livestock in.

In addition, APW has created a project of Masai community members called the Wildlife Warriors. These patrols are tasked with community oriented habitat and conservation activities such as patrols to prevent illegal deforestation and poaching, bush fire management, livestock searches, and more. This is meant as a way to encourage community members to take interest in their own habitat and neighboring habitats and protecting them. APW also offers education programs and seminars for both youth and adults to illustrate the importance of resource management, environmental friendly business development and watershed protection.

Information from National Geographic article "The Masai Steppe Big Cats Conservation Initiative."

Another program that incorporates environmental protection, animal preservation, and local education, is G.R.A.C.E. Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center. Located in Eastern D.R. Congo on a 220,000 acre preserve, it is the only place found in the world that offers rehabilitation and care for orphaned Grauer gorillas.

They host educational programs for local school children and reintroduction of orphaned gorillas into their natural habitat. It is a collaborative effort that encourage local communities to play a central role in the Center. They have a conservation based radio station and programs to train future Congolese conservationists. The community helps at the Center by building and caring for gorillas as well as out in the community to raise awareness as to what is happening to the gorillas.

Information pulled from G.R.A.C.E. website and Facebook page.

These programs that work to save environments, protect animals, and include the locals of those regions by educating them, providing jobs and currency that they can rely on as a benefit for preserving these species and places, and having them raise awareness int heir own communities, seem to be the most beneficial way to reach people and make the biggest difference. If they feel incorporated in the projects happening in their countries, shown the benefits, both financial and resource use, and are given the knowledge of how these disappearing animals and environments would impact them, their lives, and their families, then they gain a real understanding of the situation and will stand up to contribute to change. It is also a better way to ensure that change will continue as the year pass by.

It is hard to make a difference, make changes, or raise awareness in a country when instead of including the locals, they are cast aside, because that breeds contempt for such projects and organizations and may cause more problems than they will fix. Education is the most powerful tool to influence change, and giving the educated jobs and tasks that incorporate their knowledge is the most effective way to ensure that the changes keep happening.