Balancing the interests of people, business and wildlife within conservation landscapes often feels more like a juggling act than an artful performance, but when the scales settle at that middle sweet spot, the harmony of the equilibrium is nothing short of beautiful. Creating environmentally-conscious communities is paramount to achieving this balance and environmental education is the tool we use to get there.
Africa Foundation in consultation with the communities, education bodies and our partner, andBeyond, has designed an Environmental Education Programme – known simply as ECHO for the resonance it has across people’s lives – that not only exposes communities to the game reserves that neighbour them but teaches them about broader environmental topics.
Key messages are brought to life in the classroom through structured and curriculum-integrated conservation lessons followed up with field-based practical exposure that immerses learners in the ways of the wild. This game drive experience also helps to expose learners to the socio-economic benefits available to them through ecotourism.