Building a Sustainable Community in Africa - Mpala Wildlife Conservancy (2011)

The Mpala Wildlife Foundation Master's Project group from the University of Michigan, supervised by Don Scavia, Andrew Hoffman, and Abigail Mechtenberg, created a sustainability plan for Mpala that can help the research center and ranch move toward self-sufficiency. They evaluated alternative energy sources to power the research centre, giving special consideration to cost-effective methods and reducing or eliminating the need for further reliance on fossil fuels while increasing overall energy capabilities.  They also researched and recommended strategies for water conservation and water efficiency. Finally, they evaluated potential environmental impacts of expanded housing and made recommendations, including energy and water resource use.   The goal of this group was to develop a self-sustainability plan sensitive to local culture, help prepare the organization for a range of climate challenges, and establish a plan that can be replicated in other parts of Kenya and Africa.