Kenya

Environmental History and Social Justice in Kenya
This faculty-led study abroad program considers the history of environmental conservation in East Africa with a focus on Kenya.

Dates: June 22-26 zoom classes prior to departure. Program dates in Kenya: July 2-19.

Applications

Applications will be open soon. We will post the link here when they are available.

Information Meetings

Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 12:15-1:15 at the Honors House (1632 SW 12th Ave)
Friday, Nov. 21 from 2:30-3:30 via Zoom with this link: https://pdx.zoom.us/j/86961192362
Tuesday, Nov. 25 from 3:30-4:30pm at the Honors House
Monday, Dec. 1 from 12-1pm at the Honors House
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 3:30-4:30 at the Honors House

Classes

HON 407: Environmental History and Social Justice in Kenya

This course will begin on zoom prior to departure. Two-hour zoom classes will be Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26. These five classes will focus on discussions of readings that will prepare you for your time in Kenya. Readings and discussions will focus on the history of colonial era conservation practices, the Mau Mau Rebellion leading to decolonization, and postcolonial conservation programs that sought to encourage economic development in a way that adhered to environmental sustainability goals.

The course will explore environmental history and the history of conservation programs, especially wildlife conservation, in Kenya and Africa more broadly. We will begin with a consideration of the early European colonial conservation efforts that were typically aimed at preserving animals for European interests (hunting, the ivory trade, and other reasons) with little attention or awareness of the desires and needs of the indigenous peoples in the region. We will also investigate the complex ways in which the dynamics of asymmetrical social and political power brought on by globalization have continued to have adverse effects on communities and ecosystems in Africa.

After the historical overview, the course will turn to consider Kenya more closely and the array of conservation efforts led by Kenyans today that attend more closely to the livelihoods of people in communities in the country while also protecting biodiversity. As part of the travel abroad experience, students will be introduced to some of Kenya’s most important ecological landscapes and learn about the different threats that exist in those ecosystems. We will visit indigenous forests, government-run national parks, and privately run community-based wildlife conservancies to learn more about the complex relationships between Kenya’s indigenous communities, land, water, and wildlife.

Excursions

This study abroad program will revolve around visits and service learning opportunities with a number of wildlife and forestry management programs in Kenya. Students will have opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation programs while engaging with Kenya Wildlife Service rangers during visits to Nairobi National Park, Mt Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. We will also visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage and the Naivasha Raptor Center to learn about their wildlife rescue and rehabilitation programs.

In addition to site visits with wildlife conservation programs, students will engage with a number of community-based organizations and nonprofit trusts to learn about their forestry conservation programs. This will include service learning activities with the Center for Ecosystem Restoration Kenya (CER-K), the Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO), the Mt Elgon Nature Conservancy (MENC) tree nursery, the Maa Trust, and the Brackenhurst Indigenous Forest and Botanic Gardens. These organizations work closely with local communities to develop programs that support cultural and economic wellbeing while also engaging in sustainable environmental practices.

Students will also have multiple opportunities to learn about Kenya’s history and culture. For example, students will visit the Limuru Marketplace where they will shop in small groups, armed with some key Kiswahili phrases and tips on ethical bartering. Students will also join Maasai herders in the Maasai Mara as they journey home with their livestock and meet their families and assist as they usher the animals into their corrals for the night.