By David Magoma
Youth are key to protecting the future of Kinangop’s tussock grasslands, and the endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw that depends on them.
To build this connection, Friends of Kinangop Plateau teamed up with Nature Kenya and the Nyandarua County Government. Their goal? To pass on vital birding skills, spark local conservation careers, and inspire a new generation of citizen scientists.
On 17 April 2025, 34 young people from Kinangop took part in a practical birding and conservation training. The session introduced them to bird identification, habitat protection, and field skills. They also learned how to use birding equipment, understand species diversity, and appreciate the role birds play in healthy ecosystems.
The training was more than just theory. It opened minds to the idea of conservation as a career and a way of life. The participants explored the challenges facing local wildlife, including the threats to the Sharpe’s Longclaw, and discussed how they could take part in protecting it.
As part of the follow-up, the young birders, under the guidance of the Friends of Kinangop Plateau Site Support Group, will now lead monthly bird walks. The first walk was held on Saturday, 10 May 2025.
This is just the beginning. The energy, curiosity, and passion these young people bring could make all the difference for the survival of both the grasslands and the Sharpe’s Longclaw.