The Samburu Photovoice Project
Over the course of six months in 2009-2010, during one of the most severe droughts in recent memory, 26 teachers, park rangers, conservancy scouts and community members used digital cameras to document their concerns and hopes for conservation in Girgir and N’gutuk N’giron group ranches (Samburu East district). The project aimed to empower the participants to critically analyze current conservation trends, address those areas most important for action, and collectively identify how the local communities and agencies should implement change.
The Samburu Photovoice Project was initiated in response to documented local perceptions of conservation concerns in the Samburu East region. Past interview and survey data (2005-2007) revealed a special need for more education and outreach to community members and conservation professionals (e.g. park rangers, community scouts) on a variety of conservation concerns. The Samburu Photovoice Project aimed to address these education and outreach needs by asking participants to:
1. Identify current conservation concerns (deforestation, soil erosion, wildlife research).
2. Identify where the gaps in knowledge related to these concerns.
3. Suggest options for initiating change.
