Naturehub Collective Community Organization

Naturehub Collective Community Organization seeks a $500 YLACES grant to acquire specialized marine research equipment for a coastal ecosystem research extension to our ongoing environmental project. This equipment will enable 30 students from Illpolei Secondary School to conduct comparative studies between the terrestrial ecosystems of Laikipia and the marine environments of Mombasa, Kenya. Students will investigate mangrove forests at Mtwapa Creek, sandy shorelines at Nyali Beach, and tidal pools in the Bamburi Marine Park area, collecting data on water quality, biodiversity, and environmental conditions using specialized marine research tools. The project will directly engage 30 students in hands-on coastal research while benefiting an additional 220 students through knowledge sharing and data analysis activities. Approximately 850 community members across both regions will benefit from student presentations and environmental findings. This comparative ecological study will significantly enhance students' understanding of Kenya's diverse ecosystems, the interconnections between inland and coastal environments, and the impacts of climate change across different biomes. Students will learn to adapt scientific methodologies across ecosystems while developing critical thinking skills through comparative analysis.