Centre for Education in Sustainability (CES)

The Centre for Education in Sustainability (CES) is an integral part of the Elsa Conservation Trust, established in 1989 to uphold the legacy of George and Joy Adamson through conservation education. Located at Elsamere, the historic home of the Adamsons, the Centre connects Kenya’s conservation heritage with a sustainable future, inspiring action to protect wildlife and their habitats.

Since its establishment, CES has been at the forefront of environmental and sustainability education, focusing primarily on the training of trainers, especially teachers, who play a vital role in shaping young minds and communities. Over the years, we have also actively involved students in various environmental awareness and action programmes, nurturing a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

Looking ahead, CES is committed to expanding and diversifying its training programmes to include corporate leaders, community representatives, NGOs, government staff, and other key stakeholders. This expansion will ensure that our efforts remain responsive to emerging environmental challenges and aligned with Kenya’s sustainability goals.

Our vision

To be the leading living laboratory in East Africa and beyond, where accessible, hands-on learning ignites a regional movement of sustainability champions.

Our mission

To empower the people of East Africa and beyond with the skills and inspiration to build a sustainable future, through hands-on learning in our living laboratory at Elsamere.

Our Guiding Principles

  1. The Elsamere Legacy: We embody the courage and compassion of Joy and George Adamson, using their story to inspire proactive harmony with nature.
  2. The Living Laboratory: Our centre itself is a transparent, working model of sustainability that participants directly study and learn from.
  3. Hands-on, Minds-On: All learning is grounded in direct experience, where participants actively do, build, and create to understand.
  4. Future-Ready Skills: We cultivate critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving by applying them to real-world sustainability challenges.
  5. SDG Integration: We use the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a practical framework to turn global targets into local action.
  6. Multi-Age Relevance: Our programmes are tailored by competency and complexity to ensure they are impactful for every learner, regardless of age.