Junior Ecoguards Hoani Mar2009 2/3

JUNIOR ECOGUARD NETWORK GROWS!

In March, Maoulida Kamal (MC) C3 Programme Officer, Soizic Le Courtois, C3 Programme Assistant and and interns Kelsey Jacobsen, Helen Cutts and Charlie McQueen travelled to Moheli to carry out three field projects. Among them was Mohelis second Junior Ecoguard training camp, from March 20th to 23rd at the Hoani bungalows. Participating in the camp were thirteen of Hoanis teenagers, selected by a school-wide essay contest about their personal interests in the environment.

With the help of Elham Chake Souldine, Ibniz Said Bacar and Sanfia Djamaldine, three of the Junior Ecoguards from Niomachoua, students were introduced to a variety of environmental topics. Training included lectures, discussions and interactive games illustrating topics such as ecosystems, Mohelian habitats, the importance of a healthy natural environment, biodiversity, food webs, coral reefs and rubbish. The students also received training in sea turtle monitoring techniques and learnt about the significance of this endangered species to Mohelis environment and tourism; they were even lucky enough to witness a female green turtle laying her eggs on the beach during a night-time field trip!

During the camp, ORTM (Office de Radio et Television Mwali) filmed and produced a half-hour documentary of the activities that was aired on Mohelian television which can be viewed on YouTube:

At the camps end, the newly trained Junior Ecoguards were awarded with certificates of participation which remind them of their role as community ambassadors for the environment. In addition to the general environmental awareness gained from the camp, students are now capable in assisting Mohelis adult Ecoguards in an ongoing turtle monitoring project in which parameters such as turtle carapace and nest sizes are recorded. The training camp has bolstered the network of environmentally-aware youth on Moheli and spread enthusiasm about their unique environment.

The Junior Ecoguard training camp was funded by a Volvo-UNEP Adventure Award.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Comoros
• Moheli
• C3
• Comores
• Junior Ecoguards
• environment
• turtle