STUDENTS EXCURSION AT MAASAI MARA ECOSYSTEMS

Experiential training for students in the Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT) is part of the mode of delivery for all degree programmes courses offered in the Department. As part of this requirement, over 40 Post graduate and Undergraduate students actively participated on a field excursion in the landscapes of Maasai Mara ecosystems. The event took place on 15th and 16th March, 2024. The group comprised of students pursuing BSc Dryland Sustainability Science and Technology, BSc Management of Agroecosystems and Environment, BSc Range Management, BSc Agriculture -Dryland Resource Management Major, BSC Agriculture-Soil and Environment Major, and Postgraduate students in Dryland Resource Management and Land and Water management.

The objective of the academic trip was to expose students to:

1. Fauna and flora of Maasai Mara
2. Various Rangeland management practices,
3. Methods of Vegetation/ Rangeland analysis,
4. Livestock Grazing Management plans
5. Wildlife biology and animal behavior
6. Sustainable landscapes Management
7. Various Soil types, soil sampling
8. Conservancy management.
9. Soil and water conservation

The field training was conducted at Nashulai and Naboisho Conservancies. The conservancy's words under 5 pillars 1) Wildlife conservation, 2) Ecosystem/ vegetation conservation, 3) Community empowerment, 4) e-Tourism and 5) Soil and water conservation. LARMAT teaching, training and research focus on practical skills that provide solutions to societal needs. Climate change impacts on our rangelands and modern solutions and practices that address the current challenges are needed. The Conservancy managers trained the participants on the need to conserve soils, carry soil sampling for analysis and decision making, strategies to protect and rehabilitate ecosystems as well as biodiversity conservation and management. The training was coordinated and led by their lecturers, Dr. Oscar Koech, Carolyne Kyalo and Ferdinand Anyika.

The University of Nairobi Department of Land Resource Management & Agricultural Technology, UON offers cutting edge training and research for the region. Thanks to our partners Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Nashulai Maasai Conservancy, Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association and Maasai Mara Game Reserve.