Junior Ranger
The Junior Ranger Program in Maun, Botswana, teaches children and young people in the great outdoors about the importance of environmental protection, thereby sparking their enthusiasm for biodiversity. Wilderness camps bring wildlife and nature to life, helping children become ambassadors for environmental protection.
The future of our planet lies in the hands of the younger generation. This is precisely where the Junior Ranger Program in Botswana comes in: through direct contact with nature, children and young people learn how to protect and preserve the environment. Since 2016, the Knyphausen Foundation, in collaboration with local organizations, has been organizing environmental education projects that not only impart knowledge but also foster enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility for nature.
The Junior Ranger Program launched in April 2017 with 36 children and now has over 250 participants from fourteen local schools and an orphanage.
The goal is to teach children and young people who have had little prior exposure to local flora and fauna about environmental protection and biodiversity. The program participants proudly call themselves “Junior Rangers” and take part in the various educational activities with great enthusiasm.
Learning with the Mind, Heart, and Hands
The program follows the Mind-Heart-Hands principle. Knowledge is not only taught theoretically but also made tangible through hands-on experience. This includes regular workshops and weekly lessons at schools and in nature on reforestation, sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, and the protection of water resources. In the process, the Junior Rangers learn how to plant trees and grow vegetables, how waste separation works effectively, and the complex interconnections behind biodiversity.
A special highlight are the multi-day “Kids to the Bush” camps, which take place regularly in the Moremi Game Reserve. Here, 20 Junior Rangers spend days in the Botswana bush together with trainers, teachers, and professional safari guides. The children learn to observe animals, read tracks, and move safely through the bush. Biodiversity and animal welfare come to life for the Junior Rangers here.
The educational work is led by young trainers from the region. To strengthen their skills and recognize their commitment, the Knyphausen Foundation regularly funds “Train the Trainer” courses (link) as well as project-related workshops. A project manager coordinates the trainers’ work. All are permanently employed, either part-time or full-time, by the partner organization Re Jala Peo (“Plant a Seed”).
Access to education and nature opens up new possibilities
In a region like Maun, where many children grow up as orphans due to the high HIV rate and come from socially disadvantaged families, educational programs like the Junior Ranger Program are of great importance. Before participating, most of the children had never had the opportunity to see animals in the wild or experience Botswana’s impressive natural environment. Through the program, they develop a deep understanding of the value of their environment.
To reach even more children and young people in the future, the Knyphausen Foundation plans to collaborate with additional schools in Maun.
The Junior Ranger Program impressively demonstrates how young people can become agents of change. Through education, hands-on experiences, and direct contact with nature, they develop an awareness of their environment and the motivation to protect it.
Help us invest in children’s education. Let’s take responsibility together and improve the world sustainably!