AWF and WCK celebrate over 250 young winners at inaugural Shujaa Zone Competition

The event concluded a three-month-long contest that invited children and youth aged 7 to 17 from across Kenya’s Tsavo Landscape to express their understanding of conservation issues and solutions through art, poetry, essays, photography, music, and dance.

Over 300 participants attended, including students, educators, conservation partners, and representatives from county and national government institutions.

Launched in June 2025, the Shujaa Zone Competition is part of the Young Conservation Heroes Project, a four-year initiative implemented by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in partnership with Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) and supported by Bob and Emmy King.

The project aims to instill conservation values in learners across 137 schools, reaching over 83,000 students by 2028.

By combining environmental education with creative expression and practical action, it encourages young people to become active agents of change within their schools and communities.

This year’s competition drew more than 2,000 submissions from seven counties: Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta, and Kajiado, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and leadership potential among Kenya’s youth.

Winners were selected across five main categories: Artwork, Photography, Poetry, Essays, and Freestyle, which included music, drama, and dance. Special awards were also presented for the Best Wildlife Club Patron and the Best Club Project of the Year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Simangele Msweli, Associate Director for Conservation Education and Youth Leadership at AWF, highlighted how the competition nurtures leadership from an early age.

“Through this competition, we are nurturing young Africans who not only understand the value of nature but are ready to lead its protection. These learners are demonstrating that conservation leadership does not need to wait for the ‘right age’; it can begin in classrooms, be strengthened through creativity, and grow into community action.”

The competition also emphasizes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles by linking classroom learning with real-world environmental challenges.

Dr. George Njagi, Director of Conservation Education and Awareness Programmes at WCK, explained that integrating conservation education into school programs empowers children to think critically about sustainability.

“The creativity and insight shown by these learners is a strong indicator that Kenya’s future environmental stewards are already emerging,” he said.

Many participants impressed the judges with personal connections to their local environments. Margaret Mereiyan, Senior Officer for Conservation Education at AWF, remarked on the depth of storytelling demonstrated in the submissions.

“These young people are telling their own conservation stories stories drawn from their daily lives, their landscapes, and their aspirations for the future. Their creativity reminds us that conservation is not just a scientific pursuit but a human story about belonging, care, and responsibility.”

The Shujaa Zone Competition reflects AWF’s and WCK’s shared vision of people-centered conservation, showing that protecting nature goes hand in hand with building sustainable communities.

By encouraging environmental consciousness from an early age, the initiative is helping shape a generation that values both wildlife and the ecosystems that support Africa’s prosperity.

As the winners celebrated their achievements, it was clear that Kenya’s youth are not only learning about conservation, they are actively leading it.

Through creative expression, collaboration, and community engagement, these young conservationists are demonstrating that the next generation of environmental leaders is already emerging across the country.

About the African Wildlife Foundation  
The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for protecting wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa.

Founded in 1961 during the African independence movement to build our capacity to steward our natural resources, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision.

It bridges science, education, public policy, and field programs to demonstrate the benefits of conservation and build a future for Africa where people and wildlife thrive.

About the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya 

 Founded in 1968, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) began as a grassroots movement, driven by the passion of young conservationists eager to protect Kenya’s natural heritage.

It stands as Africa’s pioneer in conservation education programs, dedicated to promoting conservation awareness among youth in and out of school.