Conservation

In the community-owned rangelands of northern Kenya, there are no fences. It is one of the few places left in Africa that allows for the free movement of wildlife across a vast area that is protected by communities.

‘Conservation’ in the Northern Rangelands Trust model is based on the ecosystem approach whereby large areas of land are secured allowing for the continued migration of wildlife through their natural range. Within this framework, complementary protection, monitoring and management of wildlife and its rangeland are achieved.

The Northern Rangelands Trust model avoids complicated natural resource management plans that require a heavy investment of outside technical expertise; instead it centres on the development of simple and inexpensive community-led monitoring systems to measure ecological change. This straightforward approach allows communities to use the information in critical decision-making on conservation and development activities.

Key Conservation Activities:

• Establishment of core conservation areas designated as livestock-free (these core areas provide a refuge for wildlife, especially during the dry season when competition with domestic livestock for key resources intensifies)
• Establishment of grass management committees led by respected elders within the community
  
• Training of community scouts in ecosystem monitoring techniques to inform community decision-making
  
• Establishment of grass planting initiatives
  
• Northern Rangelands Trust livestock programme
  
• Reinforcement of the link between community development and conservation objectives