International Training Centre
for Environmental Research

ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya are non-profit, privately sponsored partner organisations in the tertiary education sector, focusing on scientific research, teaching and outreach in an international training centre in Siaya County in Western Kenya (see Location)

Background

East Africa’s natural ecosystems are rapidly degrading due to unsustainable exploitation and mismanagement resulting from an unprecedented human population increase combined with land use practices that are not sufficiently adapted to the adverse effects of climate change. Identifying solutions to the environmental problems requires a new class of managers with practical skills that enable timely identification and assessment of current and emerging indicators of unsustainable land use practices, which lead to land degradation.

... more

Organizational Structure

ITCER is a regional organisation, registered in Germany (e.V.) and Kenya as an international NGO. Both, ITCER Kenya and ITCER e.V. has a Board of Directors comprised of elected Board members. These Board members include representatives from Kenya and other international experts from different countries. ... more

Members and Memberships

The members of ITCER Kenya and ITCER e.V. have so far been recruited mainly from members of Egerton University, University of Eldoret, JOUUST, and Maseno University (Kenya), of University of Bamenda (Cameroon), furthermore of University of Bayreuth, University of Hohenheim, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, and Hochschule Karlsruhe (Germany), as well as of institutions dedicated to environmental diagnostics, environmental protection, and public relations (BIO-Diverse, SNSB IT Center, Stiftung Pfennigparade (all Germany) and others).

Cooperation agreements with local universities on the basis of MOUs will be listed here.

Donors and funders to date include the University of Bayreuth, University of Hohenheim, University of Tübingen, the SES, and the AGYO.

ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya themselves will become partners and members in other organisations, which will be listed here.

Kenyan governmental support: County Government of Siaya, Kenya Forest Service, KEPHIS, NEMA, NGO Coordination Board Office.

ITCER’s Role

To offer high quality, use case-based training in environmental sciences for postgraduate students (MSc and PhD level), scientists, and members of various stakeholder groups from Kenya and neighbouring countries. ... more

Environmental Science Research and Training

  • Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: integrate sustainable management of natural to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services for community livelihoods and human well-being.
  • Climate Change: facilitate regional mechanisms for assessing and addressing the impacts of climate change and promote grass-root actions to build community resilience.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: work with communities to promote sustainable agriculture.

Strategic approaches

  • Engaging strategic partnerships with leading players ... more
  • Development of a regional reference centre ... more
  • Partnering with and empowering grass-roots community-based groups ... more

Actions

Many higher education curricula focus more on theoretical aspect and have a gap in teaching of practical skills in newest methods. ITCER will fill this gap ... more

... more

Activities

Educational Concept and Planning

ITCER bases its educational programme on international lecturers, who voluntarily share their specific expertise in particular state-of-the-art methods used in environmental research to students from Kenya and its neighbouring countries. ... more

Programme

The envisaged academic learning programme is three-fold, as we will offer

  • Teaching modules ... more
  • One-day educational seminars ... more
  • Selected scientific talks ... more
... more

Examples of Training Courses

ITCER courses offer training and skills in the fields of vegetation science and conservation, plant pathology and parasitology, omics-driven microbial ecology, soil science and hydrology, biological informatics and data management, GIS-analysis and remote sensing.

  • Biodiversity and Conservation ... more
  • Soil and Water Conservation ... more
  • Plant Pathology ... more
  • Environmental Data Management ... more

Selected Specific Topics to be Taught at the Centre

  • Rhizosphere interactions impacting plant response to drought in semiarid environments
  • Soil and plant-associated mycobiomes – structures and interactions
  • Complex, adaptive responses of plants to changing environmental conditions
  • The economic importance of insects in agricultural systems
  • Interactions between ecosystem functioning and socio-economic needs of local communities
  • The role of secondary metabolites in plant health and defense mechanisms

Apply for a Course

(Functional as soon as training courses are announced)

Ongoing Research Projects

A number of research projects are being established. One is already underway since Jan. 2023.

Monitoring biotic and abiotic factors that influence biomass production in biodiverse grassland

Recent Publications

The activities within the framework of ITCER research are resulting in first publications: ... more

Photo Gallery

by Judith Odhiambo

Main building – 25.11.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

Water tanks – 09.02.2021

© DM

Water tank tower – 25.05.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

Main building – 25.05.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

ITCER staff to start activities – 14.11.2020

by Judith Odhiambo

Veranda – 20.05.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

Secretary room – 20.05.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

Office – 20.05.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

Laboratory (blinders on the windows now) – 04.08.2022

New lab sinks installed – 10.01.2023

by Judith Odhiambo

Demarcated plots on site – 09.10.2021

by Judith Odhiambo

Water pond on site – 27.11.2021

by Bernd Berauer

Phytomonitoring station – 10.2021

by Denniez Maramba

Vegetation recording – 23.03.2022

by GR

Event – 25.03.2022

GBIF Data Workshop participants from Kenya and Germany – 27.10.2022

GBIF Data Workshop participants from Kenya and Germany – 27.10.2022

Seminar with student from three universities – 12.11.2022

Seminar with student from three universities – 12.11.2022

Seminar with student from three universities – 12.11.2022

Seminar with student from three universities – 12.11.2022

Seminar with student from three universities – 12.11.2022

Seminar with student from three universities – 12.11.2022

Gallery images © ITCER e.V., 2023

Hostels nearby

Travelocity

... more

Roadmap

The ITCER facilities are developing with time. While the plot of land was purchased in 2016 and construction of the first building (hosting lab and seminar room) started in June 2018 (both financed via private financial means), the final finishes to the building are expected for mid-2022. ... more

Location

LOCATION OF TRAINING CENTRE

ITCER is placed in Ng’iya along the road leading to Nyang’oma Kogelo. As such it is located in Siaya County in Western Kenya, 60 km by road from Kisumu at Lake Victoria (see Site map).

... more

Biodiversity on Site

The organismic diversity of the site is continuously monitored and the data is forwarded to international platforms. A selection of plants, fungi, animals and other organisms is presented here. It can whet your appetite to go on a plant, bird or insect safari, which can be done on site and in the surrounding area.

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Crotalaria sp. (Fabaceae, Faboideae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Indigofera volkensii (Fabaceae, Faboideae) – 28.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Vigna cf. luteola (Fabaceae, Faboideae) – 13.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Senna bicapsularis (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) [art pos] – 25.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Chamaecrista mimosoides (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) – 09.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Plectranthus ecklonii (Lamiaceae) – 18.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae) – 19.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Urena lobata (Malvaceae) – 09.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Ipomoea fistulosa (Convolvulaceae) – 07.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hewittia malabarica (Convolvulaceae) – 09.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Thevetia peruviana (Apocynaceae) – 23.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae) – 06.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Solanum incanum (Solanaceae) – 07.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Commelina benghalensis (Commelinaceae) – 04.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Vincetoxicum sylvaticum (Apocynaceae) – 19.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Lantana trifolia (Verbenaceae) – 03.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Euphorbia heterophylla (Euphorbiaceae) – 04.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Bothriocline inyangana (Asteraceae, Cichorioideae) – 07.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Crassocephalum crepidioides (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 14.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Guizotia scabra (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) with Apis mellifera scutellata (Apidae, Apinae) – 09.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 06.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Titonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 04.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Striga hermontheca (Orobanchaceae) – 19.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Uraeginthus bengalus (Estrildidae) with fallen twigs of planted Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) – 18.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Lanius collaris (Laniidae) – 02.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Passer cf. rufocinctus ♀ (Passeridae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) with Convolvulaceae sp. – 16.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Lophaetus occipitalis (Accipitridae) – 27.05.2022

by Derek Peršoh

Trachylepis striata (Scincidae) with cemented surface – 01.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Apis mellifera scutellata (Apidae, Apinae) with Guizotia scabra (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 09.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Synagris analis (Vespidae, Eumeninae) with Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae) – 18.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Rhynchium marginellum (Vespidae, Eumeninae) on dead ##### – 12.03.2022

© DP

Sceliphron spirifex (Sphecidae) with Crotalaria comosa (Faboideae) – 26.02.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Vespidae, Polistinae sp. with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 25.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Chrysis lincea (Chrysididae) with dead wood – 16.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Formicidae sp. with Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae) – 28.06.2022

by DP

Papilio demodocus (Papilionidae) – 23.02.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Junonia sophia (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Junonia chorimene (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Junonia terea (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 03.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Junonia oenone ♂ (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Neptis kiriakoffi (Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Acraea serena agg. ♂ (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) – 14.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Acraea encedon f. fumosamale (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) with Poaceae sp. – 19.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hypolimnas misippus ♀ (Nymphalidae) with Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 28.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hypolimnas misippus ♂ (Nymphalidae) with Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) – 22.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Danaus chrysippus f. dorippus (Nymphalidae, Danainae) – 10.05.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Yphtima asterope asterope (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) with Poaceae sp. – 20.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Cacyreus marshalli (Lycaenidae) with Poaceae sp. – 06.06.2022

Zizeeria knysna ♀ (Lycaenidae) – 19.07.2022

Syntarucus pirithous (Lycaenidae) with Vigna cf. luteola (Fabaceae, Faboideae) – 13.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Eretis lugens (Hesperiidae) – 27.07.2022

Mocis conveniens (Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) with Poaceae sp. – 25.06.2022

Mocis cf. mayeri (Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) – 16.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Parachalciope deltifera (Erebidae, Erebinae) – 04.07.2022

Rhanidophora cinctigutta (Erebidae, Erebinae, Calpinae) – 13.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Chiromachla leuconoe (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) – 12.03.2022

Alpenus maculosa (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) – 22.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Amata schellhorni (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Syntomini) – 12.03.2022

Ceryx fulvescens (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Syntomini) with Poaceae sp. – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Amyna axis (Noctuidae) with planted Dovyalis caffra (Salicaceae) – 02.03.2022

cf. Ozarba sp. (Noctuidae) – 27.07.2022

Erebidae sp. with Poaceae sp. – 21.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Zebronia phenice (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) – 06.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Spoladea recurvalis (Crambidae) with Poaceae sp. – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Samea ecclesialis (Crambidae) with Poaceae sp. – 26.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Diasemia monostigma (Crambidae) – 23.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Aphelia cf. elegans (Tortricidae) – 06.06.2022

Eretmocera sp. (Scythrididae) – 25.06.2022

Adelidae sp. with Poaceae sp. – 25.06.2022

Aciptilia sp. (Pterophoridae) – 27.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hycleus tinctus (Meloidae) on Hewittia malabarica (Convolvulaceae) – 27.05.2022

Scarabaeidae sp. – 04.08.2022

Cheilomenes sulphurea (Coccinellidae) – 21.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Lilioceris sp. (Chrysomelidae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 07.06.2022

Diacantha sp. (Chrysomelidae) – 21.07.2022

Conchyloctenia hybrida (Chrysomelidae) with Solanum incanum (Solanaceae) – 19.07.2022

by Dennis Maramba

Aspidomorpha sp. (Chrysomelidae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 28.10.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hypolixus sp. (Curculionidae) – 21.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Curculionidae sp. – 04.08.2022

Curculionidae sp. – 13.07.2022

Lycus sp. (Lycidae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 28.06.2022

Rhagonycha cf. fulva (Cantharidae) sp. – 05.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Lagriinae sp. — 26.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Calidea dregii (Scutelleridae) with Poaceae sp. – 12.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Sphaerocoris testudogrisea (Scutelleridae) – 03.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Aspavia armigera (Pentatomidae) with Poaceae sp. – 20.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Agonoscelis versicoloratus (Pentatomidae) with Sida acuta (Malvaceae) – 23.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Caura rufiventris (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae) – 05.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Caura rufiventris (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae) – 04.08.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Caura rufiventris (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae) (nymph) with Cyperus sp. (Cyperaceae) – 26.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Dolycoris sp. (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Anoplocnemis curvipes (Coreidae) – 03.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Acanthocoris sp. (Coreidae, Coreinae) with Solanum incanum (Solanaceae) – 23.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Myrmoplasta vittiventris (Pyrrhocoridae) with Poaceae sp. – 26.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Spilostethus furcula (Lygaeidae) with Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) – 02.03.2022

Riptortus cf. dentipes (Alydidae) – 04.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Rhynocoris tristis (Reduviidae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Rhynocoris sp. (Reduviidae) (nymph) with Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae) [background] – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba, © ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya

Rhynocoris tristis (Reduviidae) (imago, eggs) – 11.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Phonoctonus cf. fasciatus (Reduviidae) with Lantana trifolia (Verbenaceae) – 26.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hydara cf. tenuicornis (Coreidae) with Poaceae sp. – – 16.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Hydara cf. tenuicornis (Coreidae) – – 09.06.2022

Hemiptera sp. (nymph) – 25.06.2022

cf. Eurybrachidae sp. – 23.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Aphrophoridae sp. (Cercopoidea) with Tylosema fassoglensis (Fabaceae, Cercidoideae) – 16.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Aphrophoridae sp. (Cercopoidea) – 23.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Cercopidae sp. (Cercopoidea) – 27.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Oxyrachis sp. (Membracidae) – 22.07.2022

Dilophus sp. (Bibionidae) – 21.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Chrysomya sp. (Calliphoridae, Chrysomyinae) – 06.06.2022

Bombomyia discoidea (Bombyliidae) – 20.06.2022

Diopsis mayae (Diopsidae) with cf. Amaranthus pungens (Amaranthaceae) – 27.07.2022

Ischiodon aegyptius (Syrphidae) with Poaceae sp. – 04.07.2022

Episyrphus sp. (Syrphidae) with Poaceae sp. – 22.07.2022

cf. Thelaira sp. (Tachinidae, Dexiinae) – 20.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Chrysops sp. (Tabanidae) – 03.03.2022

Sciomyzidae sp. – 25.06.2022

Palpopleura portia ♂ (Libellulidae) – 16.06.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Palpopleura sp. ♀ (Libellulidae) – 18.03.2022

by Derek Peršoh

cf. Trithemis arteriosa (Libellulidae) – 23.02.2022

by Derek Peršoh

Libellulidae sp. – 26.02.2022

Mantidae sp. with Solanum incanum (Solanaceae) – 04.07.2022

Mantidae sp. (nymph) – 25.06.2022

© DP

Acrididae, Tropidopolinae sp. – 01.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Acrididae sp. – 18.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Acrididae sp. – 15.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Neoscona sp. (Araneidae) – 29.03.2022

by Dennis Maramba

Thyene inflata (Salticidae) – 31.10.2022

Salticidae sp. – 04.07.2022

by Deniez Maramba

cf. Pleuroloma sp. (Xystodesmidae) with clay soil – 18.03.2022

by Deniez Maramba

Achatina sp. (Achatinidae) – 14.03.2022

Gallery images © ITCER e.V., 2023

Resources

Photomonitoring records of a wide range of macroorganismic species and their interaction.

Information for ethnological studies, compiled from internet sources.

Biodiversity Information Resources

... more

Donation and Membership

ITCER welcomes everyone interested in contributing to the training and communication of environmental science relevant for local communities in East Africa. ... more

Contact

ITCER e. V.

A non-profit association according to the German law
Seat of the association in Bayreuth, Germany
Registered by Amtsgericht Bayreuth in July, 2016

... more

Raabestraße 3
95444 Bayreuth, Germany
Email: ITCER@gmx.net
IBAN: DE02 7735 0110 0038 0896 11

ITCER Kenya

A non-profit NGO according to the Kenyan law
Seat of the association in Siaya, Kenya
Registered by NGO Coordination Board Nairobi in September, 2017

... more

P.O. Box 300
Siaya 40600, Kenya
Email: ITCER-Kenya@gmx.net