Mary Warui was working at the National Museums of Kenya as an intern when she joined the project in Malawi in August 2008.
For Mary, the project represented a new area of research and fieldwork she had not had an opportunity to participate in before. She described the most important parts of the experience as data collection and entry, team work, and networking with a mixture of people. Mary’s knowledge of scientific techniques and conservation improved and she found that her soft skills, including leadership, communication and team working benefitted as a result of the project. These skills, and her experiences at Mount Mulanje, have been greatly important to her personal and professional development. Mary is now studying for a Masters in Environmental Science at Kenyatta University, a decision that was partly due to her participation on the Earthwatch project. She said:
“I love nature but Earthwatch opened up my mind and I realized that there is a lot to be conserved”
Her Masters’ thesis is a study into the destruction of Mangrove tress and how they can be conserved. The research aims to suggest solutions for sustainable resource use while practicing conservation. She considered her experience at Mount Mulanje an important part of her preparation for her postgraduate research and uses many of the skills she gained on the project in her research, primarily those involving communication and group management, and environmental research and monitoring techniques.
This team was supported by British American Tobacco plc.
Mount Mulanje © Hannah Rooley
“The experience has helped me to work hard and achieve my dreams”
