The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is hosting The Young Conservationist Internship Program

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Cecilia Sparks
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1 The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is hosting The Young Conservationist Internship Program Helping young, inquiring, and innovative minds realize the value of community conservation in Africa.

look at wildlife conservation in action.

2 July 19 August 2, 2017, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy will be the destination for a two-week conservation education trip, offering eight students a behind-the-scenes look at wildlife conservation in action. The goal is to connect students to the land, its inhabitants, and wildlife, while inspiring them to become lifelong conservation leaders.

Community Conservation in Action Lewa is a 62,000 acre wildlife conservancy set in the shadow of Mt Kenya. The property was a family-run cattle ranch for nearly 75 years.

3 Community Conservation in Action Lewa is a 62,000 acre wildlife conservancy set in the shadow of Mt Kenya. The property was a family-run cattle ranch for nearly 75 years. It has since evolved into a rhino sanctuary that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and headquarters for the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy a not-for-profit organization that has gained international esteem as a progressive model of modern conservation. Lewa is rangeland for abundant wildlife, providing a safe haven for a wide variety of fauna including black and white rhino, cheetah, lion, leopard, elephant, and the rare and endangered Grevy s zebra. Lewa continues to run one of the most successful rhino protection programs in Africa despite the growing problem of poaching. It is also home to the first elephant underpass on the continent. The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy consistently gains worldwide respect and recognition for effectively extending the benefits of conservation beyond its borders. For more information about the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, visit

A Day in the Life of a Young Conservationist The group will spend their two weeks exploring the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

The daily itinerary will include a variety of activities that demonstrate indigenous culture, wildlife conservation and community development.

Sample curriculum: - Tour the radio room with the Head of Security and discuss anti-poaching strategies - Work with Lewa s Communications team to brainstorm marketing, media and outreach ideas - Go

methods with the Research team and assist in analyzing data in the field - Walk along the ridgeline as the sun rises - Experience Lewa s lodges and discuss the importance of tourism for conservation

4 A Day in the Life of a Young Conservationist The group will spend their two weeks exploring the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Every day the students will go on morning and evening game drives or guided walks. The daily itinerary will include a variety of activities that demonstrate indigenous culture, wildlife conservation and community development. They will meet and work directly with the Department Heads, interacting with the people who inspired the projects and those who are now running the programs. Sample curriculum: - Tour the radio room with the Head of Security and discuss anti-poaching strategies - Work with Lewa s Communications team to brainstorm marketing, media and outreach ideas - Go into the field with the anti-poaching Ranger team and work with tracker dogs - Visit an authentic cultural village to experience the pastoral life of the Maasai tribe - Discuss reporting and research methods with the Research team and assist in analyzing data in the field - Walk along the ridgeline as the sun rises - Experience Lewa s lodges and discuss the importance of tourism for conservation - Tour Lewa s medical clinic with the physicians - Learn about the importance of Community Development and visit a local water project - Engage with local students at a school and complete a multi-day project together - Assist at the Conservation Education Center and connect with visiting Kenyan students - Learn about community-based conservation projects occurring just outside Lewa s borders - See how community members have been impacted by the micro-lending program - Jump into fresh mountain waterfalls and walk through the treetops in the Ngare Ndare forest - Discuss big-picture ideas with Lewa s CEO, Mike Watson - Present outreach plans to Lewa s Communications team and pledge to become advocates at home

Bringing Home the Message The Director of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy will present the students with a certificate recognizing them as one of Lewa s Young Conservationists for their outstanding

5 Bringing Home the Message The Director of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy will present the students with a certificate recognizing them as one of Lewa s Young Conservationists for their outstanding contribution to the management of protected areas and advocacy for wildlife conservation. Each student will be required to keep a journal of writings or drawings documenting their experiences. The students will be responsible for developing a media-based project during and after the trip. They can use a variety of mediums to design an account of adventures, interactions, and lessons learned. They will then present their ideas to Lewa s marketing team, with the potential of Lewa using the students work in various media outlets. Past projects have included: giving a presentation at the Dallas Zoo, translating outreach materials into other languages, designing logos for tshirts to sell as a fundraiser, partnering with retail enterprises to raise awareness, creating a calendar of photos as a gift to Lewa donors -- the ideas are endless. By creatively expressing their personal experiences, the students learn to effectively advocate for conservation.

Flying Doctors, and all activities described in the final itinerary.

the US, vaccinations, required comprehensive medical insurance, souvenirs, and visas.

6 Tuition: $4600 per student. Tuition includes accommodation, meals, transfers, conservation fees, required AMREF Flying Doctors, and all activities described in the final itinerary. Other expenses not covered are international airfare, any accommodation or airfare within the US, vaccinations, required comprehensive medical insurance, souvenirs, and visas. How to Apply Please contact Kate Spencer at for an application and to schedule a phone or skype interview. Deadline for applications is March 1, 2017.

7 Kate Spencer, a second chaperone, and local guides will lead the group. Kate has been living and traveling in Africa for nearly eight years. She came to Kenya to pursue a passion for conservation, and managed one of the five outstanding safari lodges on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for nearly four years. She loves educating youth and adults about conservation in Africa, and she now runs a company based out of Vail, Colorado arranging African safaris to support conservation programs throughout the continent. Please her with any questions. honeyguidesafaris@gmail.com

8 Testimonials from past interns My 1me as a Lewa Young Conserva1onist was phenomenal. During my two weeks in Kenya, I learned not only about myself, but also the world around me and how I could use my career to bezer it. I can improve the world with what I learned about conserva1on efforts through this program. I saw extraordinary things, met extraordinary people, and made extraordinary memories. I ll always be happy that my trip to Lewa changed my life. Victoria, age 16 My trip with Honeyguide Safaris was truly something I will never forget. The things I learned, the memories I made, and the people I met all added to my spectacular adventure. Working with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy community was fascina1ng, as I was able to really delve into the behind- the- scenes ac1vity that makes Lewa what it is: an example of excep1onal wildlife conserva1on. My experience inspired me to give back and spread the word about my trip, a passion- evoking, incredible, once- in- a- life1me look into what wildlife conserva1on is all about. Layne E., age 17 Lewa's Young Conserva1onist Internship is an amazing experience for young wildlife lovers and appreciators. Spending 2 weeks in Kenya with Kate and John was a truly inspiring and life- changing experience. I can't praise the both of them enough for organizing such a wonderful trip that was so educa1onal and impacgul. Paige S., age 18 The Lewa Young Conserva1onist Internship was the most rewarding program I have par1cipated in. Nothing compares to the memories and friends made, and what we learned there opened my eyes to the horrors that wildlife, specifically rhinos and elephants, face from poachers. You can learn about poaching online, but to understand the full extent you need to par1cipate in this program. Experiences like traveling to the elephant underpass, jumping off waterfalls in Ngare Ndare forest, learning about the safety Lewa provides to the rhinos, and pain1ng a school library are just a few of many exci1ng parts of this trip that I'll cherish forever. Margot K., age 16 Check out photos from the last trip on Instagram, just search lewa_young_conservationists

9 Wildlife is facing great challenges to survive. Wild places are difficult to find. Setting out on an adventure to understand the importance of protecting wildlife and wild places is a powerful endeavor.

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