Environment Kenya

Ten years after his death, actor William Holden remains a legend in Kenya, where a foundation that bears his name is shaping the attitudes of African children toward wildlife and the environment. These are new concerns for Africa. Traditionally, trees were viewed as being useful only for firewood, wildlife a nuisance unless it provided ivory or food and land a resource that could be used indefinitely with little thought given to proper management.

It is late afternoon and Kilimanjaro is ringed with clouds, and the wind is brisk over the scrubby swamp where the elephants shamble out and kick up savanna dust. A trio of newborns wobbles along like matched suitcases on unsure legs. A beefier youngster scratches his hide on a post that once was a tree. Two bulky juveniles butt heads with a thud. The old matron who runs this family grunts. A cow screeches to wean a persistent offspring.

It is late afternoon and Kilimanjaro is ringed with clouds, and the wind is brisk over the scrubby swamp where the elephants shamble out and kick up savanna dust. A trio of newborns wobbles along like matched suitcases on unsure legs. A beefier youngster scratches his hide on a post that once was a tree. Two bulky juveniles butt heads with a thud. The old matron who runs this family grunts. A cow screeches to wean a persistent offspring.

For hundreds of years, the Masai people ruled their East African domain as feared warriors and resourceful herdsmen. But today, the threat to their survival can't be repelled by raiding other tribes, moving their cattle to unspoiled ranges or finding abundant food in the wild. Now, the threat is the encroachment of modern civilization. The Masais' ancient territories have been partitioned into park land by the Kenyan government or parceled out to private owners.

For hundreds of years, the Masai people ruled their East African domain as feared warriors and resourceful herdsmen. But today, the threat to their survival can't be repelled by raiding other tribes, moving their cattle to unspoiled ranges or finding abundant food in the wild. Now, the threat is the encroachment of modern civilization. The Masais' ancient territories have been partitioned into park land by the Kenyan government or parceled out to private owners.

Jose Mercade spends three months a year in this tiny Mexican town. The Glendale Community College instructor knows every family here. He would like to see just one of the American students he brings each summer develop the same kind of intimacy with these people and their land. On the shores of the Sea of Cortez halfway down the Baja peninsula, Bahia de Los Angeles is a remote community of 65 poor Mexican families.

Jose Mercade spends three months a year in this tiny Mexican town. The Glendale Community College instructor knows every family here. He would like to see just one of the American students he brings each summer develop the same kind of intimacy with these people and their land. On the shores of the Sea of Cortez halfway down the Baja peninsula, Bahia de Los Angeles is a remote community of 65 poor Mexican families.

Ten years after his death, actor William Holden remains a legend in Kenya, where a foundation that bears his name is shaping the attitudes of African children toward wildlife and the environment. These are new concerns for Africa. Traditionally, trees were viewed as being useful only for firewood, wildlife a nuisance unless it provided ivory or food and land a resource that could be used indefinitely with little thought given to proper management.