Savannas of our birth
Savanna’s are grassland with scattered trees. They cover almost half the surface of Africa and large areas of Australia, South America, and India. Climate is the most important factor in creating a savanna. The savannas of East Africa are home to the Maasai people with breathtaking vestiges of our wildlife heritage.
Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem
The Serengeti National Park (SNP) in Tanzania, together with the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya, is the last place on Earth where you can still see a semblance of animal life as it existed before our ancestors first stepped out into the grasslands. It is a composite of vast open plains and spectacular granite kopjes; tree-lined rivers snaking through dense stands of acacia woodlands, an ancient land of startling beauty with rocks at its heart dating back 3 billion years. It is a kingdom of predators where the mighty lion dominates the landscape with its tawny presence. There are 3,000 lions, who knows how many leopards – 1,000, perhaps – 250 cheetahs, 5,000 spotted hyenas and a handful of endangered African wild dogs. Today we can only gaze in awe at the vibrancy of the Mara-Serengeti and the manner in which it adjusts to drought or deluge, feast or famine, sustaining all life within its boundaries, an ingenious collaboration between soil and water, herbivore and carnivore. If we cannot protect a place such as this, what will we save?
Our species’ ability to change entire landscapes is unrivalled. Other animals conform to nature – they collaborate with their environment as so beautifully illuminated by the Mara-Serengeti – whereas we set the terms and conditions for ours. Our technology has enabled us to break free from nature’s restraints without acquiring the moral authority to act responsibly in the long-term interests of the planet. Drought, famine, disease and the resultant loss of life – at times on a catastrophic scale – are universal themes that speak to us of a need to re-evaluate our relationship with nature and its wild inhabitants.
How you can help
People often ask us “how can we help?” It is easy to believe that as individuals our voices will never be heard; that we are powerless to make a difference, that we must wait for someone else to make the changes we believe are needed, that the government can and will fix it. But reconnecting people to nature and protecting our natural environment is an urgent mission of global proportions that needs a global response. That is why we created the SNI, to amplify our message of “inspire and educate if we are to conserve.” And it starts with you. Each of us must choose to be better informed about the environment. Knowledge gives us power. Only by knowing and understanding the issues and challenges we now face can we hope to conserve the things that are important. And what could be more important than a healthy natural environment for all? It starts at home by changing our way of doing things, Step by Step the Sacred Nature Way.
Donations
Many people tell us they would like to donate to an organisation that reflects their interests and has the ability to effect change. One of the key functions of the SNI is to inform you about what we believe is working in the field of conservation and what isn’t. It might be a particular species that interests you - lions, elephants, tiger, gorillas, pangolins or penguins. Or you may want to support an organisation that focuses on a particular ecosystem that you have visited such as the Mara-Serengeti or one that you feel mirrors your concerns. For each ecosystem highlighted in our Sacred Nature books and on the SNI Website we have identified organisations that we believe are making a difference and reflect the SNI ethos of Inspire-Educate-Conserve. And of course the SNI cannot fulfil its mission without both the emotional and financial support of sponsors and donors. If you would like to support our work please reach out to us at:
hello@sacrednatureinitiative.com
Additional resources: Savannas
We have included here additional resources such as books, articles, videos, podcasts and websites of organisations making a significant contribution to Reconnecting People to Our Planet and pioneering change.
Serengeti Shall Not Die: Bernard Grzimek and Michael Grzimek, 1959, (Ballantine Books, 1996)
Serengeti: Dynamics of an Ecosystem: Edited by A. R. E. Sinclair and M. Norton-Griffiths: University of Chicago Press, 1979.
Originally published in 1979, Serengeti: Dynamics of an Ecosystem was immediately recognized as the first synthesis of the patterns and processes of a major ecosystem. A prototype for initial studies, Serengeti contains baseline data for further and comparative studies of ecosystems. The companion volume Serengeti II builds on the information presented originally in Serengeti; both books together offer essential information and insights for ecology and conservation biology.
Serengeti II: Dynamics, Management, and Conservation of an Ecosystem: Anthony RE Sinclair( Editor), Peter Arcese (Editor): University of Chicago Press, 1995
Savannas of Our Birth: People, Wildlife, and Change in East Africa: Robin S. Reid: University of California Press, 2012
Serengeti Story: Life and Science in the World's Greatest Wildlife Region: Tony Sinclair, Oxford University Press, 2012
Dynamics of the Global Savanna and Grassland Biomes: Edited by Hannah Victoria Herrero, Jane Southworth: Mdpi AG, 2021
Ecosystem based Conservation Strategy for Protected Areas in Savannas with special reference to East Africa: Henry Muraa Ajathi and Klaus Krumme: University of Essen, 2002
Sacred Nature: Reconnecting People to Our Planet: Jonathan and Angela Scott: HPH Publishers, 2021
Honey and Toto: The Story of a Cheetah Family: Jonathan and Angela Scott: Cambridge University Press. Children’s Book: Cambridge Reading Adventures, 2017
Scarface: The Real Lion King: Jonathan and Angela Scott: Cambridge University Press. Children’s Book: Cambridge Reading Adventures, 2016
Children’s Book: Cambridge Reading Adventures: The Great Migration: Cambridge University Press, 2016
Sacred Nature: Life’s Eternal Dance: Jonathan and Angela Scott: HPH Publishers, 2016
The Big Cat Man: An Autobiography: Jonathan Scott: Bradt Publishers, 2016
Jonathan and Angela Scott’s Safari Guide to East African Animals: Kensta, 2012
Jonathan and Angela Scott’s Safari Guide to East African Birds: Kensta, 2012
The Marsh Lions: The Story of an African Pride: Brian Jackman & Jonathan and Angela Scott: Bradt Publishers: Animal Classic Series, 2012
HarperCollins Educational Series: Award-Winning Children’s Titles by Jonathan and Angela Scott: Big Cat Babies; Africa’s Big Three: Elephant, Hippo and Rhino; Masai: Tribe of Warriors; Giant Reptiles: Crocodiles and Monitor Lizards; On Safari
Big Cat Diary: Cheetah: Jonathan and Angela Scott: HarperCollins, 2005
Big Cat Diary: Leopard: Jonathan and Angela Scott: HarperCollins, 2003
Big Cat Diary: Lion: Jonathan and Angela Scott: HarperCollins, 2002
Mara-Serengeti: A Photographer's Paradise: Jonathan and Angela Scott: Fountain Press, 2000
Kingdom of Lions: Jonathan Scott: Kyle Cathie, 1992
Painted Wolves: Wild Dogs of The Serengeti-Mara: Jonathan Scott: Hamish Hamilton, 1991
The Great Migration: Jonathan and Angela Scott: Cambridge University Press. Children’s Book: Cambridge Reading Adventures, 2016
The Leopard's Tale: Jonathan Scott: Elm Tree Books, 1985
The Marsh Lions: The Story of an African Pride: Brian Jackman and Jonathan Scott: Elm Tree Books, 1982
Ecosystems
SavannasEcosystem
Forests and PlantsEcosystem
WaterEcosystem
DesertsEcosystem
MountainsEcosystem
Polar RegionsEcosystem
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