2019 Student Engagement Finalist: Kenyatta University, Kenya

Adopt a River Initiative Project

Engaging students both at secondary and tertiary level is crucial to achieving ESD policies at all level from local to intentional level. Therefore, this project seeks to engage students in practical implementation of the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classrooms to actual hands-on experience as a way of conservation. Various topics i.e. Biology, Geography, Chemistry and Agriculture syllabuses provide the theoretical basis on which this project is anchored. In this project, aquatic macro- invertebrates are used to monitor river health as they are known to be a cheap reliable bio-indicators of monitoring water and environmental conditions. The project provides a practical application of the dichotomous key to identify the key species of aquatic macro invertebrates used in monitoring of river health. It introduces the use of the miniSASS, a simplified version of the South African Scoring System to enhance learner’s knowledge and skills in monitoring river health and determining relevant interventions based on empirical results. The information gathered in this pilot project will provide a basis in guiding policy and community activities championing the restoration and conservation of rivers ecosystems.

Top 3 learnings:

1. Merging theoretical knowledge with practical application initiatives ensures sustainability in both education and environmental conservation
2. The throw away culture has hugely infiltrated our society
3. Intense awareness creation on the immeasurable value and significance of these resources to the health of the environment and people needs to be done