ACT - Volume 9 Issue 1
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The Status of Conservation Education in Africa
By Murali Pai
Conservation and education are like twins trying to surmount all odds in many countries of Africa. Right slap bang in the middle is the Ebola virus threatening to undo years of hard work done by a legion of conservationists and educators for biodiversity conservation. Being the cradle of human civilization confers some resilience to the fragile continent.
It is easy to suppose good conservation science originates from the West, and hard to fathom if a pan-African curriculum would work well, given that conservation is mired in political compulsions, economic challenges and social upheavals across Africa. In this Issue, we showcase some remarkable success stories in conservation education. It’s a pointer that Africa is not just a safari destination, but also, a place for conservation practitioners.
Patrick Bergin tells us about the founding of conservation primary schools in several African countries. Mary Molokwu gives an account of the Sapo Conservation Center and what it means for Liberia’s conservation priorities. Stephen Awoyemi and Mary focus on the APLORI story and its implications for Nigeria. Stephen also writes about SCB Africa Section’s E-mentoring program. Israel Binoyi shares his perspectives on conservation education in Cameroon. Kevin Robinson brings to us a pioneering wildlife college in South Africa. Fola Babalola pitches for more SCB Chapters in Africa.
The ACT thanks all contributors and well-wishers following us on Facebook and Twitter. We will publish the newsletter four times a year. Thank you, Janette Wallis, former editor, for your time and effort to give ACT a new logo.
The next issue is due February 2015 and is planned as a special issue on the best protected areas of Africa. Your contributions are most welcome.
Murali Pai is the Editor of ACT and a faculty member at Arba Minch University, Ethiopia