Advocacy
To promote advocacy and awareness, the Society uses
various means, one of which is monthly talks held on
the second Thursday of each month. The talks are a combination
of discussions and film shows presented by professional
speakers from different disciplines on pertinent conservation
issues.
In addition, the Society has gone a step further
and formed working groups that work as sub-committees
of the Society with a focus on specific issues, some
of which are detailed below.
The Kenya Forests Working
Group (KFWG) is a team of individuals, institutions
and organizations concerned with forests conservation
and management. It co-ordinates actions related to forests
by members and identifies strategies for intervention
and follow up. KFWG was instrumental in the publishing
of the Forest Bill of 2005, which has since been signed
into law by the President of Kenya, His Excellency President
Mwai Kibaki. KFWG coordinated the amendments that were
included in the Forest Bill that was tabled before Parliament.
Kenya Wetlands Forum
(KWF) has led the revival of the process of preparing
a Wetlands Policy for Kenya through the Conservation
of Kenya Wetlands Initiative. This initiative has also
led the advocacy and lobbying for preservation of the
Tana Delta Ecosystem. The project is working towards
the realisation of RAMSAR Site status for the Tana Delta.
Through the Kenya Wildlife
Working Group (KWWG), EAWLS and other partners
have been instrumental in the resumption of a process
to review the Kenyan wildlife law and were behind the
success of the Wildlife Amendment Bill. The group has
also catalysed formation of district wildlife forums
to consolidate their voice in united advocacy for grassroots
wildlife management rights.
The Kenya Marine Forum
(KMF), was established when the Society was involved
in the CORE program. The forum has since gone on to
become an independent organization, with zonal coordinators
placed all along the coastal province to facilitate
grassroots activities with Community Based Organisations,
in the region.
In the 1980’s, EAWLS was instrumental
in initiatives undertaken for the conservation of elephants
and the establishment of rhino sanctuaries in Kenya.
The Society also played a leading role in advocating
for the establishment of a semi-autonomous government
institution to manage the National Parks and Wildlife
Reserves in Kenya. This effort resulted into the establishment
of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). This in turn led
to improved management of wildlife in the country that
saw tourism significantly contribute to the country’s
foreign exchange earnings.
For more information on any of the
sub-committees and their activities, please email us
on info@eawildlife.org
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