EAWLS Newsletter - January-February 2012

Kenya’s National Environmental Manage Authority (NEMA) has given the go-ahead for a landmark conservation project on the Kenyan coast to manage marine and coastal resources with the local communities there.

"We have defined the multiple use areas, started receiving funds for the use of the resource and we are more organized as a community," said an excited Said, a fisherman from Kibunyi Beach Management Unit.

The initiative to support the establishment of seven Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in ... Read More

EAWLS Now Facilitates CSOs/Private Sector County Government Legislative Engagement Processes

By Michael Gachanja, Deputy Director, East African Wildlife Society

County Government arrangements are in the nascent stages of formation in Kenya but EAWLS, with generous financial support, is at the forefront of efforts to monitor conservation needs in four of the counties to build networks that will help them manage natural resources prudently.

These networks will be crucial in formulation of county laws and policies that are people-driven and which promote natural resource management at county level and guarantee generation of revenue for county development and its sharing in an equitable and transparent manner

The project received the financial support of the Government of Sweden/DFID under Act!’s (formerly PaKenya) Natural Resources (Changieni Rasili Mali) Facility for Non State Actors.

From January 2012 the project aims to strengthen Civil ... Read More

Tourism Seen as a Tool to Conserve Threatened Wetlands

Kenya’s fragile wetlands could find help from an initiative to steer more tourists towards their natural wealth under plans timed to coincide with World Wetlands Day on February 2.
Kenya has several wetlands which have contributed immensely to the tourism sector due to their unique biodiversity, which makes a key part of any Kenyan tourism experience.

These include the Ramsar sites; (Lakes Nakuru, Baringo, Elementaita, Bogoria and Naivasha); rivers such as the Mara, Ewaso Ngiro North and South; Swamps including; Shompole, Lorain and Kimana not forgetting the Marine wetlands- coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grass beds and sandy beaches on the shores of the Indian Ocean that attract both local and International tourists. ... Read More

For the first time, key stakeholders concerned with conservation of coastal forests have come together to forge a united front to reverse a worrying trend of accelerated forest loss. During a workshop held in Mombasa on Nov 10, 2011 that saw the formation of Kenya Coastal Forests Conservation forum, field reports were made public that confirmed fears of a looming disaster due to loss of forests and trees that play a critical function in protecting the coastline among other environmental services.

Historically, terrestrial coastal forests were part of an extensive network of forests extending across East Africa to the Congo basin. The reduction in forest area and subsequent... Read More

Wetlands International Opens Nairobi Office to Tackle Kenya Challenges

By Emma Greatrix, Wetlands International, Kenya.

As the only global non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation, restoration and wise use of wetlands such as rivers, marshes and lakes, Wetlands International is tackling issues old and new through its recently-opened Kenya office. This is the 20th country office of the organisation, which has a regional Africa office in Senegal and its global headquarters in the Netherlands.

From the grounds of the East African Wildlife Society in Nairobi, Wetlands International is working with humanitarian and development partners in the Ewaso Nyiro North Basin. The Ewaso Nyiro North River flows beyond Isiolo to Merti before disappearing into the Lorian Swamp. River flows here have always been seasonally variable, but recently, not only have water levels become difficult to predict, but the river is changing course and local communities frequently suffer the extremes of drought and flood. Ninety percent of people around Merti depend on pastoralism, yet as this water source becomes less reliable, there is often little pasture to feed the herds. Worse, drought conditions degrade the soil, so that when heavy rains fall, as in late 2011, people recovering from drought can suddenly find their possessions, livestock and occasionally their lives, washed away by flash floods

...Read More

By Naftal Nyabuto, Kenya Forest Working Group.

The editor of SWARA, Andy Hill, held a two-day workshop for project staff in December to help them communicate more effectively for EAWLS members, donors and supporters.

“Communicating your projects is the surest way of fundraising,” said Hill, who has edited the society’s quarterly magazine for the past three years.

Special emphasis was laid on lively, readable articles for the bi-monthly EAWLS newsletter, which reaches more than 5,000 people and informs them about EAWLS project work and developments in the broader conservation field... Read More

By David Kuria

December 2011 was a busy month for the residents of South Aberdares
( Kereita and Uplands forests) and Hombe forest in Mt Kenya, when
they joined staff from NIC Bank, Unilever, Kenya Defense Forces,
Africa Point in planting more than 60,000 seedlings in the degraded
sites of the forests.

The events saw staff from NIC Bank and Unilever Ltd mingle with local people and Kenyan Soldiers in planting a variety of indigenous seedlings particularly those species that population has been affected negatively by uncontrolled activities. 40,000 seedlings were planted in Kereita forest through the support .. Read More

During the November 2011 monthly staff meeting, Chief Administrator Richard Rono broke the good news that, once again, Therese and Bernhard Sorgen, who are the EAWLS Swiss representatives, joined by their friend Maria Fuhrer, had offered to fully sponsor the end of year staff party for the fourth year running.

Their generosity was received with cheer and gratitude. This did not only symbolise the true spirit of Christmas but a consistent commitment of service and support to EAWLS made through various donations, including office equipment in the last two decades.

The party was planned for 22nd December 2011 and... Read More

• Tanzania – an end-year conservation report: Could Do Better
• Kenya – hope on the poison trail
• Uganda – We meet the Chimp man
• Zambia – all you needed to know about rhinos in Zambia
• Seychelles – leave your guilt and carbon footprint behind
• Kenya – a forest fragment discovered – yes – discovered
• Book reviews – new and improved, a guide to trees and shrubs

... Read More

Imre Loefler Lecture – Muthaniga Country Club;
Details for this lecture will be communicated soon.

The Imre Loefler Lecture – Karen Country Club;
Details for this lecture will be communicated soon.