Educational cooperation
Training cooperations
The Raptor Conservation Initiative is not only committed to protecting endangered birds of prey in Africa, but also places great emphasis on training and supporting the next generation of conservation experts. Through our educational partnerships with universities and schools, we aim to combine and further develop knowledge, passion, and innovative solutions in species conservation.
Our shared vision – inspired by powerful words
As Konrad Lorenz once said:
„Man schützt nur, was man liebt – man liebt nur, was man kennt.“ (translated “You only protect what you love – you only love what you know.”)
These words reflect the essence of our initiative: knowledge creates love for nature, and only those who love it will work to preserve it. A well-known proverb also reminds us:
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
And in reference to Rachel Carson:
“In nature, nothing exists alone.”
These quotes underline the importance of strengthening the connection between education, nature and sustainable action.
Our Goal:
Through our collaboration with educational institutions, we aim not only to promote young scientists but also to develop innovative, practical solutions for species conservation. We are convinced that the combination of research, education, and direct conservation work forms the foundation for a sustainable future.
With these cooperation models, we are committed to long-term, sustainable support for nature conservation – through education, research, and interactive exchange between all stakeholders. Together, we can awaken enthusiasm for species conservation and set the course for a future worth living.
Cooperations with Universities
In close collaboration with leading academic institutions, we offer practical research projects, workshops, and seminar series that provide students with direct insight into the challenges and opportunities of modern nature conservation. Interdisciplinary projects that combine environmental sciences, geosciences, and biology promote the exchange between theory and practice. Students benefit from collaboration with experienced scientists and have the opportunity to actively participate in projects that implement concrete conservation measures for birds of prey and their habitats.
We are pleased to announce that we have already established a promising partnership with the University of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This collaboration forms an essential building block of our Birds of Prey Conservation Initiative and serves to promote interdisciplinary exchange in the field of bird of prey conservation.
Through this collaboration, we are jointly developing innovative research and education programs. Students at the University of Kinshasa have the opportunity to actively participate in practical field projects – from collecting biodiversity data using state-of-the-art monitoring technologies (such as GPS tracking and drone deployment) to analyzing the impacts of environmental changes on bird of prey populations. Through practice-oriented workshops, seminars, and training programs, we not only strengthen scientific know-how but also sustainably expand local expertise in nature conservation.
The collaboration allows us to test and further develop proven methods and innovative approaches, ultimately leading to the optimization of our conservation measures. At the same time, the students benefit from direct access to international projects and can thus gain valuable experience that will prepare them for future biodiversity experts.
In the long term, this partnership represents a win-win situation: The University of Kinshasa expands its research capacities and strengthens the training of young scientists, while our initiative benefits from sound data and practical insights to sustainably halt the decline of endangered birds of prey. As Konrad Lorenz said: “I only love what I know, and I only protect what I love.”
With this guiding principle, we are jointly fostering the next generation of conservationists and contributing to the protection of our natural habitats.
Cooperations with Schools
Our specially developed educational programs for schools teach young people the importance of biodiversity and the protection of natural habitats in an interactive way. Through workshops, excursions, and multimedia learning materials, the fascinating life cycle of birds of prey, vultures, and falcons is explained and their central role in our ecosystems is highlighted. In this way, we lay the foundation for future generations to act as committed conservationists.
Educational programs for schools and kindergartens
The Birds of Prey Conservation Initiative Africa places great emphasis on inspiring young people to become involved in nature conservation – because the future of our planet lies in their hands. Our goal is to foster an understanding of biodiversity at an early age and to convey why the protection of birds of prey, falcons, and vultures is so important.
In an existing partnership with the Redeemer Lives Support Center in Kenya – a facility that currently cares for around 70 children in the largest slum at the largest garbage dump in Nairobi – we implement targeted educational programs. Our workshops, interactive learning modules, and child-friendly excursions are used to vividly explain to children how these fascinating animals maintain the natural balance and what role they play in the ecosystem.
Our educational offerings include:
- Interactive workshops: Children learn in a playful way how birds of prey regulate their prey and why an intact ecosystem is of great importance for all living things, including humans.
- Excursions and nature experiences: In cooperation with local partners, we offer hands-on experiences where children experience a direct connection to nature and see how scientific observations are carried out.
- Multimedia learning materials: Illustrative videos, pictures and stories that explain the life cycle and importance of birds of prey, falcons and vultures.
Our approach is also based on the well-known quote by Konrad Lorenz:
“Only what I know, that I love; only what I love, that I protect.”
With this, we aim to lay the foundation for a lifelong connection with nature in children and inspire them to actively work to protect our environment.
With our educational programs in schools and kindergartens, we not only raise awareness but also lay the foundation for future environmentalists who can make a lasting impact on our world. Together with dedicated partners like the Redeemer Lives Support Center, we work to provide hope and knowledge to children in Kenya and beyond – for a better future for people and nature.
In addition to its educational and support programs, the Redeemer Lives Support Center provides critical humanitarian assistance to the local community. In addition to caring for approximately 70 children in the largest slum at Nairobi’s largest landfill, the center organizes regular food distributions. This effort ensures that slum residents receive vital resources and contributes significantly to improving local living conditions.
By combining educational opportunities with direct food assistance, the Redeemer Lives Support Center not only strengthens the immediate well-being of the people but also promotes the long-term sense of community and resilience of the entire region. This comprehensive support forms an important basis for offering children and adults prospects for a more hopeful future.
