Members of our Senior Eco Council, including our Eco Prefect, had the opportunity to participate in an enriching visit to Karura Forest alongside students from St. Michael’s and St. Stephen’s schools. These schools travelled from the UK to Kenya to deepen their understanding of reforestation, conservation, and sustainability while exploring diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
While the Eco Prefect provided the insights shared in this article, the entire Senior Eco Council played a key role in hosting and engaging with the visiting schools. Their collective efforts contributed to the success of the day and showcased our school’s commitment to environmental education and global collaboration.
Reflecting on the day, the Eco Prefect shared,
“It was really a good experience. We started off by getting to know each other through some fun ice-breaking games with the students from St. Stephen’s and St. Michael’s. Then we headed to Karura Forest, which was a fantastic experience.”
The visit began with a presentation by Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust on reforestation and the importance of planting trees. This was followed by a guided walk through the forest, where students learned about the contrasts between indigenous forests and eucalyptus plantations. The Eco Prefect explained,
“We saw the difference between the indigenous forest and the eucalyptus forest. Eucalyptus is not native to Kenya. It was planted to support the railways but is now considered not beneficial for the flora and wildlife. For example, monkeys cannot feed from eucalyptus trees. That’s why they are cutting down these trees to make way for indigenous species.”
In the afternoon, the students engaged in a mini COP (Conference of the Parties), debating and discussing scenarios related to conservation, recycling, and forest restoration.
“We debated, asked questions, and shared our thoughts on conservation and sustainability. Hosting schools from different parts of the world is very beneficial because it helps us understand other people and teaches us about their countries. For example, the UK and Kenya are very different, so the visiting students got to see something new and exciting,” said the Eco Prefect.
The visit not only enhanced the students’ knowledge about environmental issues but also reinforced key concepts such as conservation, reforestation, and sustainability.
The Eco Prefect concluded, “School trips like this give us a different perspective. They are a fun experience for everyone, making learning enjoyable and providing a good reason to look forward to school. It was a great day!”
This collaboration was a wonderful example of how international exchanges can create lasting educational experiences, promoting a deeper understanding of our natural environment and the importance of conservation efforts.
