A Rocha Kenya, Watamu
A Rocha Kenya is a national branch of A Rocha, a Christian conservation organisation that demonstrates God's love for his world by facilitating a deeper understanding of creation and practical care for it though education
A Rocha Kenya is one of 19 national A Rocha projects around the world. Our projects involve the community in practical conservation based on careful fieldwork. By working with the local communities, A Rocha Kenya (ARK) aims to achieve the long-term conservation of threatened habitats and species in the Malindi-Watamu area and the Dakatcha woodland and Karara in Nairobi. ARK was formally established in 1999 and opened the Mwamba Bird Observatory and Field Study Centre in Watamu in 2002. A Rocha Kenya is a non-profit organisation / charity that relies on grants and donations to be able to accomplish its objectives.
A Rocha Kenya's work focuses on four main areas:
Environmental Education
ARK works directly with local school Wildlife Clubs in environmental education activities and both trains school teachers to coordinate and oversee environmental educational activities and resources them to teach about environmental care within existing National Curriculum activities.
Community Conservation
The Arabuko-Sokoke Schools and Eco-tourism Scheme ASSETS was set up by A Rocha Kenya in 2001. The scheme uses funds generated from eco-tourism to provide secondary school Eco-bursaries for local children which are closely tied in with action for the conservation of local threatened habitats and species.
A Rocha Kenya is also working with communities around Dakatcha woodland by providing livelihood projects like better farming methods and empowering Community Forest Association groups around Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Dakatcha woodland, through capacity building on emerging environmental and conservation issues together with matters pertaining to maintaining internal health of the groups Farming Gods Way, a type of conservation agriculture, is a farming method that encourages diversification, crop rotation, soil nutrition and has higher yields thus a perfect method for farming as a business to the locals around the forest.
Scientific Research
ARK has been collating baseline data on resident and migrant bird populations in several of the major local habitats since 1999 and has established a biodiversity research and monitoring programme. Surveys have been extended to include other taxa such as insects, plants and benthic fauna. The knowledge gained from this work is vital for managing and protecting vulnerable/threatened habitats and species. ARK have also commenced marine research and surveys have been conducted to document the Marine biodiversity of Watamu Marine Park and Reserve
Marine Research
Mwamba Field Study Centre
Mwamba provides facilities for scientific training and workshops, accommodation for interested visitors, opportunities for volunteers and interns to learn practical conservation skills, and a forum to demonstrate and discuss the relevance of the bible to current environmental issues.
Mwamba has accommodation for 22 people, with additional space for campers. The centre has facilities to host environmental workshops, small courses, office facilities for staff, and accommodation for volunteers who regularly come to work with the project. with additional space for campers. The center also presents opportunities for accommodation for researchers, interns and volunteers. In addition it has facilities to host workshops/conferences, small courses and office facilities for staff. A Rocha Kenya, therefore welcomes all visitors, holiday makers and all interested in natural history and conservation. For more information please follow this link Mwamba Accommodation at A Rocha
Karara Center in Karen, Nairobi
A Rocha Kenya has a forested property called ?Karara? that hosts the Nairobi office. It?s located just beyond the Karen Shopping Centre, on the Ngong Road opposite Windy Ridge. The center offers environmental education activities, has an indigenous tree nursery, Farming God's Way demonstration/trainings, community capacity building trainings, bird ringing exercises and Karara nature trails
CONTACTS
A Rocha Kenya,PO Box 383, Watamu,80202, Kenya
email kenya@arocha.org
web http://www.arocha.org/: http://www.assets-kenya.org
tel +254 (0)42-2332023 / 020-233-5865
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