Welcome to Safe the Mau Forest

My self

This fall (2009) I am taking a class in introduction to Geographic information Science at the University of Wyoming in the USA. I an currently a graduate student taking a PhD in soil science at the University of Wyoming, in the Department of Renewable Resources. Earlier in my career, I had chosen to be a Veterinarian. My first two degrees (Bachelor of Veterinary medicine and M.Sc in Pharmacology and Toxicology) were taken at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Several years down the line I found myself interested in going back to the basics of farming i.e the "Soil"... which is the originator of life.

My Life

In 1997 I helped found the Sustainable Agriculture Centre for Research and Development in Africa (SACRED Africa). My idea then was to work with small scale farmers in Africa to improve farm productivity and to help them access socially acceptable and profitable markets. After 10 years of this charitable work, It was time to fulfil my other childhood dreams which was to study upto to PhD level. The University of Wyoming came in handy as the perfect place for my dreams. Wyoming's high elevation and semi-arid environment provided a perfect macth for what is found in much of Africa. Hence in summer 2008, I enrolled in the PhDclass of soil science under the supervision of my major professor, Jay Norton. It has clearly been a long journey to this class but a much deserved one too... Better late than never!.

And now the Mau Forest

This semester, I am taking a class in GIS which I have dedicated to this highly endangered forest in Kenya. The Mau forest (measuring over 300,000 hectares) is located in one of nature's architectural marvel, the Great Rift Valley in Kenya and contains large numbers of animals, over 450 bird species and numerous rare indigenous trees and shrubs. The forest nestles a complex eco-system that is the source of atleast 12 rivers that drain in many directions; westwards towards the Lake Victoria and eastwards to lake Nakuru and the Mara and Serengeti tourism circuits. The Mau complex is Kenya's biggest forest block and East Africa's largest indigenous forest. According to the United Nations environment program (UNEP), Mau is an asset of national and international importance that supports crucial sectors such as energy, tourism, agriculture and water supply. Current estimates show that close to one quater of the forest has been destroyed over the last 20 years through encroachment, excisions, illegal logging, charcoal burning and other human activities. Close to 2000 families now reside in this forest and more are still coming in...in search of fertile land for agriculture and a source of livelihood.

Because of these activities, some rivers that drain out of the Mau forest have started drying up and the forest was recently declared a national disaster by the Kenyan president. The destruction of the Mau and consequent problems that arise is a signal of what can happen to large forest reserves located in poor developing cpountries. These forest reserves impact on the climate and livelihoods of many people living in several countries and continents. It is therefore immperative that all citizens of the world ensure that forest resources such as the Mau and others are managed properly for the prosperity of all humanity.

My dedication

This is why I have dedicated my studies in GIS at the University of Wyoming to this worth cause. I decided to take this course in order to enable me to use the knowledge gained to spatially document some of the human activities and the associated changes/impacts that they have on fragile forest ecosystems in Africa, such as the Mau. My computer skills are good, but current GIS knowledge is very poor. Welcome to this blog and please do whatever is within your powers and knowledge to safe and preseve this unique forest habitat.

Eusebius J. Mukhwana