Camera traps, bird watching, nature walks

– Wildlife Club assisting Rupununi youths to preserve their environment

THROUGH the wildlife club that she started in her first year of teaching in 2016, Kim Spencer has

To date, Kim has dealt with several obstacles that have come in the way of the efficient functioning of finding a way to continue her work, though, Kim met with some Grade Nine students in February 2022 and formed a been helping scores of children in the Rupununi to learn about the environment and make efforts to preserve it. As she continues her much-needed, practical lessons, the plan is now to build a benab next to the school she teaches so that she can hold sessions right there for the students. This will be one of the biggest projects yet for the club, even as the usual research work continues on wild animals and camera traps on the mountain environment near the school. her club. She had to leave for college and so lost touch with the students who were initially members of the club. In 2019 when she attempted to resume things with a new set of students, things were going great,especially since she was also teaching the Environmental Education Curriculum for the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS).

But the COVID-19 pandemic came and changed everything. Once again, it seems like the club would be going nowhere. Still intent on new executive committee for the wildlife club. an interview recently. With the 30 students she

“I want to share my knowledge, experience and skills with youths especially to preserve our environment…to take care of the our homes, rivers, mountains… to gives youths opportunities to take up roles in leadership and improve their skills in public speaking, report writing and so forth,” Kim said in has at the moment, Kim engages the students in activities like bird watching, camera trapping, club meetings, and nature walks. With the camera traps session, students are able to have a firsthand grasp of how to set it, record and analyze the relevant data.

“Every Thursday, we have wildlife interactive sessions where we go out into the fields to learn life skills. Learners develop freedom of expression and responsibility; they also practice public speaking. During our field trip sessions, they are equipped to set camera traps and understand how it works and its importance,” Kim shared.

The students are also exposed to knowledge of the endangered Red Siskins, learning how to monitor and protect them from fires, and being familiar with other common birds in a particular area.

Kim initially started out by using her own money, but as the club progressed, they started raising funds to help. “For our campout trips, the students will contribute a