Mpala facilitates and exemplifies sustainable human-wildlife co-existence and the advancement of human livelihoods and quality of life. We do this through education, outreach, and by developing science-based solutions to guide conservation actions for the benefit of nature and human welfare.
Mpala . . . A Living Laboratory
May 4, 2013
Check out the updated Checklist of Birds of Laikipia County, Kenya. Of 1,133 species known to occur in Kenya, Laikipia county has records for 48% of the species! Take a look at the detailed list of flora and fauna found on Mpala here.
Left: A Red-billed hornbill. Right: A Pale-chanting goshawk.
March 14, 2013
Baboon Capture and Tracking: Check out the video!
Meg Crofoot and her team set out to capture and track individuals from one baboon family. To learn more about her project read her article in the July 2012 Mpala Memos and CLICK HERE to see the video.
We are excited to see the results!
Photo by Laura Budd.
December 18, 2012
Fall Outreach Update
This fall Mpala hosted four outreach events which reached 146 students!
-On September 18th, Daraja hosted the Women in Leadership Outreach Lecture. Everlyn Ndinda and Jen Guyton of the Hippopotamus and River Ecology Project presented a talk entitled "Multitasking in a Mulifaceted World: How women can play multiple roles in their careers and life." The 70 Daraja students asked many questions and enjoyed meeting researchers from Mpala.
-On October 5th, members of Daraja's Grassroot Girls visited Mpala Primary School to lead activities that encouraged academic goals and confidence.
-On October 13th, Mpala welcomed 27 Daraja students for a Mpala Mentorship Connection Day, where the students went to the field with researchers to learn about their experiments.
-On October 27th, Shiloh Naibor Primary School's Conservation Club visited Mpala to discover and observe the landscape and wildlife they learn about in the clubs. For many, the day included their first hippo sighting! Lacey Hughey and Jen Guyton answered many questions about their experiment and hippos as the students continued to watch the hippos.
Below are pictures from October 13th's Mpala Mentorship Connection Day. Elyse DeFranco and Toby Mackinen of UHURU and Serena Zhao of the Rodent Ecoimmunology Project introduced Daraja students to the UHURU plots and the process of trapping and identifying rodents.
Check out the Mpala Memos for more on Mpala's outreach!
July 14, 2012
Community Conservation Day 2012
On Saturday, July 14th over 500 students gathered for our 4th annual Community Conservation Day at Il Motiok Primary School. The seven member schools of of Mpala's Northern Kenya Conservation Club gathered to demonstrate to their communities what they'd learned in the conservation clubs throughout the past year. Each school's conservation club presented poems, plays, or games to illustrate important ecological concepts they had learned. In addition, winners of an essay contest, club logo contests, and scholarship recepients were announced.
May 26, 2012
Discovery Day 2012
Last Saturday Mpala hosted its 3rd Discovery Day. Our neighbors, local community members, students, staff, and researchers all gathered at Mpala Research Centre for a day of learning and fun. A number of our researchers presented on their work and answered questions about their research. We enjoyed performances by students from Mpala School's Conservation Club and Daraja Academy. It was a great day and we had fun hosting everyone at Mpala!
May 17, 2012
Introducing Alakara, Mpala's new Women's Art Collective
Alakara (meaning happiness in Turkana) is Mpala Research Centre’s own newly formed women’s art collective. Bridging traditional beading skills with a fresh vision for unique jewelry and keepsakes, Alakara shares the bright colors of Kenya with visitors to MRC. Visit our display case (located in the Dining Hall) to view our newest products, find great gifts for loved ones and support the women and families of our community. Learn more about Alakara here!
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