NRT Turns 20! Celebrating 20 Years of Community Conservation and Impact

Dignitaries, partners, community members and guests celebrate NRT’s 20th anniversary at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi.

In 2004, nine conservancies in northern Kenya united to form the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), marking the early beginnings of community-led conservation in Kenya. Over the last 20 years, other conservancies sought to join NRT as they observed the positive impact of the community conservancy model and NRT’s enduring success. From nine northern-Kenya based conservancies at the onset, today, NRT is a 45-member umbrella organisation operating across northern and coastal Kenya and Uganda. Working together, indigenous communities in NRT member conservancies are conserving 15 endangered species, and an astonishing variety of wildlife across over 15 million acres of land.

In addition to supporting indigenous communities in protecting wildlife, including the hirola, the world’s rarest antelope, NRT has implemented over 200 community projects, and is home to the award-winning Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project, the world’s largest soil carbon removal project. The 19th of September this year saw NRT achieve yet another historic milestone, as conservancy community members, partners, county and national government leaders, and foreign dignitaries gathered to celebrate NRT’s 20th anniversary, in a spectacular event held at the Bomas of Kenya.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Julius Kipngetich, NRT’s Board Chairperson remarked, “Today, we are celebrating not only 20 years of existence, but 20 years of doing things differently. I’m honoured to be part of a journey where communities are taking charge of their lives and development initiatives.” Distinguished guests graced the event, including the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, E.G.H., the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Hon. Aden Duale, E.G.H., the European Union in Kenya Ambassador, H.E. Henriette Geiger, USAID Kenya’s Mission Director, H.E. David Gosney, and ambassadors from Sweden, Denmark, and Hungary.

From left - European Union in Kenya Ambassador, H.E. Henriette Geiger, Ambassador to Hungary to Kenya Zsolt Mészáros and Ambassador of Sweden to Kenya Caroline Vicini.

Hon. Rebecca Miano highlighted the profound impact of NRT’s work, stating, “Allow me to recognise the fruit of NRT’s labour over the last two decades. I note with gratitude that you have impacted a whopping one million Kenyans through your work with 45 community conservancies across the country.” Reiterating the Government’s ongoing support for NRT’s model, she added, “My Ministry, through the State Department for Wildlife, has been a key partner in providing the infrastructure necessary to support the success of NRT’s community conservancy model.” In a remarkable display of support, Denmark’s Ambassador, H.E. Stephan Schønemann, pledged a Ksh 909 million (USD 6.99 million) grant that will fund NRT’s nature-based solutions for the next five years. Other donors also pledged to enable the implementation of NRT’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. These generous commitments reflect continued confidence and belief in our mission of transforming lives, building peace and conserving nature.

Dignitaries and partners during NRT’s 20th anniversary at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi.

During the anniversary celebration, nine member community conservancies: Masol, Nasuulu, Naibunga Central, Songa, Kiunga, Sera, Kalama, Ishaqbini Hirola and West Gate, were awarded for their exemplary performance in governance, livelihood improvement, peacebuilding, wildlife monitoring, sustainability, rangeland management and marine protection.

Zaharia Sani, Kiunga Community Conservancy’s Chairperson, spoke fondly about the bond between NRT and coastal communities, saying, “For the member community conservancies of the coastal region, NRT stands for, ‘Ni Raha Tupu,’ Swahili for ‘It’s pure joy.’” At the Coast, our Marine Programme is ushering in a new era of conservation, protecting vital marine ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Indeed, our journey over the last 20 years has been one of transformation—both of landscapes and lives. With NRT’s support and our partners’, our member community conservancies have become powerful drivers of peace, natural resource management, and economic development in the most marginalised parts of Kenya and Uganda.

Community members from NRT West receive an award for best improved conservancy during NRT’s anniversary celebration.

As we reflect on our incredible journey and celebrate the impact we have achieved together, we continue to look ahead to the future, and take the necessary steps towards achieving our 2050 Vision: a world where indigenous communities are empowered, natural ecosystems thrive, and peace prevails. Supported by our unfailing partners, we will continue to scale our conservation efforts in Kenya and Uganda, to mitigate the effects of climate change and address the pressing challenges communities face, including biodiversity loss and poverty. We invite you to continue with us on this journey, as we create a future filled with hope and endless possibilities for people and nature.

Watch our 20th Anniversary celebrations below.