Youth in Action: How One Kenyan Student Uses Art to Champion Conservation in Tsavo

For 16-year-old Bakari Ali Mangale, art is more than just a pastime — it’s a lifeline that connects him to nature and conservation. Growing up near Tsavo East National Park, Bakari has witnessed the delicate balance between people and wildlife. What began as simple sketches in the margins of his schoolbooks has blossomed into a powerful medium for storytelling. His drawings of elephants, lions, and other iconic species are not only works of beauty but also vivid reminders of why protecting Africa’s biodiversity matters.

Through the Young Conservation Heroes Project — a partnership between the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK), and supporters Bob King and Emmy King — Bakari and other students are gaining conservation knowledge, mentorship, and resources. This initiative spans 137 primary schools in the Tsavo landscape, nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious leaders; with wildlife clubs serving as the entry point.

Bakari drawing one of his artpieces 

Bakari’s artistic journey began in Grade 1. Over the years, he refined his talent into a tool for awareness. His wildlife sketches and essays decorate his school and inspire fellow students. “My drawings help me explain why we need to protect and conserve wildlife,” Bakari explains. “Other students have told me my art gives them joy, and that makes me want to keep going.”

Beyond the classroom, Bakari has seen firsthand the challenges of living alongside elephants. With vivid memories of his family’s maize field destroyed after repeated raids; he could have turned away from conservation. Instead, he leaned in, joining his school’s wildlife club in February 2025, to be part of the solution. Now, alongside his peers, he participates in tree planting, poultry farming, and school gardening — projects that not only promote sustainability but also feed his community. 

Bakari showcasing some of his pieces both in his drawing book and the wall art mural. 

Empowering Young Conservationists
Bakari’s involvement with the Young Conservation Heroes project provides him with access to sketchbooks, paints, and conservation learning materials. He uses these to amplify his message of environmental stewardship. Teachers like Mwakupha Chitsala, his wildlife club patron, commend his dedication:
“Students like Bakari remind us why empowering youth matters. They are the ones who will spearhead conservation in the future.
For Bakari, the journey is just beginning. He dreams of becoming a teacher, using both his voice and his art to ensure those who come after him understand the value of protecting Kenya’s wildlife.

Bakari’s story is proof that when art and conservation meet, they inspire lasting change. In his drawings lie not only the beauty of Africa’s wildlife but also the hope of a continent led by youth determined to live in harmony with nature. 
From the first sketch in a schoolbook to his vision of a career in conservation education, Bakari’s art has always carried one message: protecting wildlife is everyone’s responsibility.

Bakari showing his classmates some of his artwork

Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders 
He hopes to one day become a teacher so he can continue educating others about wildlife and the environment beyond the standard school curriculum, turning his passion into a lifelong commitment to conservation. 
As environmental threats grow, so does the need for local, youth-driven solutions. Stories like Bakari’s show that with the right support, young people can do more than just learn about conservation; they can lead it. 

Join AWF in Empowering Youth for Conservation 
The African Wildlife Foundation is committed to empowering the next generation of conservation leaders across Africa. Through programs like the Young Conservation Heroes Project, we are ensuring that youth are not only equipped with knowledge but also given opportunities to lead change in their schools and communities. 
Learn more about AWF’s youth programs and how you can support initiatives that place youth at the heart of conservation in Africa.