Introduction:

 Ecosystems provide a wide range of essential services that support human well-being, from clean water and food production to climate regulation and cultural enrichment. This course, "Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being," delves into the complex relationships between ecosystems and society, emphasizing the importance of understanding, valuing, and conserving these services. Participants will gain insights into how ecosystems contribute to human well-being and how sustainable management practices can ensure the continued provision of these services.

Course Objective:

The primary objective of this course is to empower participants to:

1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem services and their significance.
2. Assess the interdependence between ecosystems and human well-being.
3. Identify the threats and challenges facing ecosystem services.
4. Explore sustainable management strategies to safeguard these services.
5. Promote awareness and advocate for ecosystem conservation within organizations and communities.

Organization Benefits:

By offering this course to employees, organizations can expect several advantages:

1. Enhanced awareness of the importance of ecosystems and ecosystem services.
2. Improved environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
3. Greater alignment with sustainability goals and corporate social responsibility efforts.
4. A workforce equipped to address environmental challenges and contribute to positive change.

Target Participants:

This course is designed for a diverse audience, including but not limited to:

1. Environmental and Sustainability Managers
2. Conservationists and Ecologists
3. Policy Analysts and Government Officials
4. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Staff
5. Researchers and Academics
6. Educators and Environmental Educators
7. Community Leaders and Activists

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Ecosystem Services

• Defining ecosystem services and their categories
• The link between ecosystems and human well-being
• The global importance of ecosystem services

Module 2: Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity

• Biodiversity's role in ecosystem service provision
• Ecosystem resilience and diversity
• The loss of biodiversity and its impact on services

Module 3: Provisioning Services

• Food production and agriculture
• Freshwater supply and fisheries
• Timber and non-timber forest products

Module 4: Regulating Services

• Climate regulation and carbon sequestration
• Water purification and flood control
• Pest and disease regulation

Module 5: Supporting Services

• Soil formation and nutrient cycling
• Pollination services
• Genetic resources and biodiversity maintenance

Module 6: Cultural Services

• Recreational and cultural values of ecosystems
• Spiritual and aesthetic benefits
• Cultural practices and traditions

Module 7: Valuing Ecosystem Services

• Economic and non-economic valuation methods
• The concept of natural capital
• Case studies in valuing ecosystem services

Module 8: Threats to Ecosystem Services

• Habitat destruction and land-use change
• Pollution and contamination
• Climate change and its impacts

Module 9: Ecosystem Service Mapping and Assessment

• Ecosystem service assessment frameworks
• Spatial analysis and mapping techniques
• Data collection and stakeholder engagement

Module 10: Sustainable Resource Management

• Sustainable agriculture and forestry practices
• Sustainable water resource management
• Marine and coastal ecosystem management

Module 11: Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation

• Ecosystem restoration principles and practices
• Protected areas and biodiversity conservation
• Habitat restoration case studies

Module 12: Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Resilience

• Ecosystems and climate adaptation
• Nature-based solutions for resilience
• Ecosystem restoration in disaster risk reduction

Module 13: Policy and Governance for Ecosystem Services

• National and international policy frameworks
• Environmental regulations and incentives
• Integrating ecosystem services into policy

Module 14: Community Engagement and Local Knowledge

• Engaging communities in ecosystem management
• Indigenous and local knowledge systems
• Community-based conservation success stories

Module 15: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Ecosystem Services

• The role of ecosystem services in achieving the SDGs
• Case studies of ecosystem service integration into SDG projects
• Multilateral efforts to promote ecosystem sustainability

Module 16: Business and Ecosystem Services

• Corporate sustainability and ecosystem services
• Supply chain sustainability
• Biodiversity-friendly business practices

Module 17: Environmental Education and Outreach

• Promoting awareness of ecosystem services
• Environmental education initiatives
• Effective communication for behavior change

Module 18: Ecosystem Services and Global Equity

• Equity and access to ecosystem services
• The role of justice and ethics in ecosystem management
• Addressing disparities in service provision

Module 19: Case Studies in Ecosystem Services

• In-depth analysis of successful ecosystem service projects
• Lessons learned and replicability
• Scaling up effective strategies

Module 20: Capstone Project

• Participants work on a real-world project related to ecosystem services
• Apply knowledge and skills gained throughout the course
• Present project findings and recommendations

General Notes

• All our courses can be Tailor-made to participants' needs
• The participant must be conversant in English
• Presentations are well-guided, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are experts with more than 10 years of experience.
• Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with a Foscore development center certificate (FDC-K)
• Training will be done at the Foscore development center (FDC-K) centers. We also offer inhouse and online training on the client schedule
• Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.
• The course fee for onsite training includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, a buffet lunch, and a Certificate of successful completion of Training. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements, airport transfers, visa application dinners, health/accident insurance, and other personal expenses.
• Accommodation, pickup, freight booking, and Visa processing arrangement, are done on request, at discounted prices.
• Tablet and Laptops are provided to participants on request as an add-on cost to the training fee.
• One-year free Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.
• Register as a group of more than two and enjoy a discount of (10% to 50%)
• Payment should be done before commence of the training or as agreed by the parties, to the FOSCORE DEVELOPMENT CENTER account, so as to enable us to prepare better for you.
• For any inquiries reach us at training@fdc-k.org or +254712260031
• Website:www.fdc-k.org