Spring break abroad program to Kenya immerses students in conservation

March 23, 2026
Categories: General Event

Over spring break, Bill Garcia, senior lecturer in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, and Department Chair Sara Gagné, led a nine-day journey across Kenya, exploring cutting-edge conservation practices in Nairobi and the greater Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem.

“For our students, this course was a transformative experience, connecting classroom concepts to real-world conservation efforts,” said Garcia. “Students experienced firsthand how different models operate on the ground, gaining practical insights and perspectives that simply can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom.”

During the program, students participated in ecological restoration efforts, engaged with local conservation experts and gained field research skills by tracking some of nature’s most fantastic creatures. Check out the breathtaking photos courtesy of Garcia.

Field Research Experience

A local ranger took the cohort to Pardamat Conservancy to set up professional-grade camera traps.
The camera traps were deployed along game trails near a water source. Images from the camera traps are used to determine the presence of species within a conservation area.
Charlotte students learn field techniques for assessing wildlife populations which are required for a variety of environmental science/conservation careers.

Nairobi National Park

On day three, the cohort visited Nairobi National Park, a wildlife sanctuary situated just six miles outside Kenya’s largest city.
The Park is home to endangered species including the White Rhino (pictured above), Cheetah and African Lion.
Students interacted with orphaned baby elephants at The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery.

Cultural Immersion

Students attended a lecture at Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara, a premier conservation and tourism learning institution.
Students walked through open air markets in Limuru, Kenya.
Local vendors informed students about produce sourced in the region including bananas, peppers and avocados.
On the first day, the cohort toured a tea field in Limuru, Kenya. Tea production is a major part of Kenya’s economy.

For more information on Charlotte’s international programs, visit edabroad.charlotte.edu.