Author: John Mwacharo

Local youth step up efforts to conserve Cherangani Hills Forest

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Julius Kimani

The Cherangani Hills Forest ecosystem is undergoing a remarkable transformation, thanks to the ‘Understanding Cherangani Links to Human Well-Being’ project. This initiative, funded by the Global Center on Biodiversity forClimate (GCBC), is empowering local youth to take the lead in conservation efforts while tackling pressing challenges such as biodiversity loss, poverty, and climate resilience. Nature Kenya is implementing the project as the lead in a partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenyatta University, and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). By combining traditional knowledge with scientific research, the project places young community members at the forefront of safeguarding nature and livelihoods.

Spanning approximately 100,000 hectares across Trans-Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot counties, the Cherangani Hills Forest is a vital water catchment area between the Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana basins. Designated as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), the forest provides invaluable ecosystem services, including clean water and cultural values. However, these benefits are under constant threat from deforestation, illegal encroachment, land fragmentation, and the impacts of climate change. Recognising that sustainable solutions must involve the community, the project is engaging local youth to help gather essential data that will shape future conservation strategies.

In May 2024, 34 young people were trained to use Kobo Collect, a mobile data collection tool, to assess ecosystem services and conduct Restoration Opportunity Assessments Methodology (ROAM). Through the workshop, participants developed skills in conducting interviews, recording observations, and ensuring data accuracy. Their role extends beyond data gathering—they are now key agents of change, bridging the gap between local communities and conservation efforts.

Collaborating with KEFRI, the project also trained 50 youth drawn from various groups, including Indigenous communities, Community Forest Associations (CFAs), and farmer groups. They were then assigned to conduct socio-economic surveys in forest blocks such as Kapyego, Chesoi, Kapolet, Kapkanyar, and Lelan. These surveys explored the impact of deforestation and land use changes on livelihoods, providing critical insights to inform Participatory Forest Management Plans (PFMPs).

The project’s impact extends beyond immediate benefits. Twelve youths participated in a rapid biodiversity assessment led by the National Museums of Kenya, where they collected data on plants, birds, reptiles, insects, and fish. Meanwhile, another group of eighteen youth studied pollination services to support a forest restoration business case. Twenty other participants assessed soil carbon levels to evaluate the forest’s role in climate regulation. Moving forward, these youths will play a crucial role in developing an Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) strategy and action plan to tackle the region’s climate challenges.

Beyond contributing to the project’s goals, these young people are gaining invaluable skills in research, environmental conservation, and data management—skills that can open doors to careers in conservation and related fields. More importantly, their involvement fosters a deeper understanding of how healthy ecosystems contribute to human well-being, inspiring a sense of environmental stewardship.

Once the data collection phase is complete, the findings will guide scientists, policymakers, and conservation agencies in designing solutions to protect Cherangani’s biodiversity while promoting sustainable forest use. These solutions will be implemented at national and county levels, ensuring that the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it can thrive in the wake of climate change.

This project is about preserving a forest and empowering a generation to take charge of their future. By equipping youth with the tools to make a difference, the initiative is creating a ripple effect—turning conservation into a movement where nature and people thrive hand in hand. The Cherangani youth are proving that the future of conservation is bright, dynamic, and full of possibilities.

KBA in Focus: Kirisia Forest

Posted on by John Mwacharo

Situated in the arid and semi-arid land on the Leroghi Plateau in Maralal, Samburu County, is the Kirisia Forest Key Biodiversity Area. Also known as Leroghi, the forest is one of Kenya’s oldest state forest reserves, gazetted in 1933, and the latest Important Bird Area (IBA) in Kenya designated in 2023. Kenya’s IBAs also qualify as Key Biodiversity Areas.

Kirisia forest is a critical wildlife dispersal route in northern Kenya, forming part of the north end of the Laikipia Plateau. It is also a crucial water source in the expansive, arid Ewaso Nyiro North river catchment. The KBA exhibits high floral diversity, hosting dry montane forest, upland forest and arid scrub vegetation. The high-elevation parts of the forest shelter upland bird species, which are largely cut off and miles away from the nearest central Kenya highlands that share similar species. Threatened fauna in the KBA include African wild dogs, Grevy’s zebra, Lelwel hartebeest, reticulated giraffe, vultures and Grey Crowned Cranes, among others. Black rhinos used to be common, but habitat destruction and poaching led to their disappearance. The site has two important cliffs, the Opiroi Cliffs, where the Critically Endangered Rüppell’s Vulture nests and roosts.

The forest is a source of life to the local community, providing diverse forest resources such as timber, fencing and building poles, non-wood products like honey, sand, water and herbal medicine, and ecosystem services. It is also important for cultural practices and eco-tourism.

However, Kirisia Forest faces several challenges threatening its future, most of which are anthropogenic. These include illegal logging for timber and firewood, charcoal burning, over-harvesting of herbal medicine and overgrazing, especially during the dry season when the only available pasture is in the forest. The predominant community living adjacent to the forest are nomadic pastoralists. Encroachment for settlement has also led to increased cases of human-wildlife conflicts. Other threats include forest fires, intentionally or accidentally caused by the local community, the spread of invasive species, soil erosion, and climate change.

Concerted efforts are needed to ensure that degradation is reversed for the long-term survival of the KBA. Kirisia Forest is under the management of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Community Forest Association. The forest has a management plan that is currently being implemented. After rigorous community sensitization and awareness creation on the benefits of conserving the forest, more than 5,000 squatters willingly left the forest land they had encroached on. The natural forest is regenerating, and the community is leading in activities to rehabilitate and reforest degraded areas through tree planting. They are also adopting alternative livelihood options. Plans are underway to establish a Nature Kenya Site Support Group in Kirisia Forest.

Engaging the next generation in vulture conservation

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Brian Otiego

Every year, the first Saturday of September marks International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD), a global event celebrating vultures and highlighting their vital role as nature’s clean-up crew. This year, Nature Kenya observed IVAD, focusing on engaging school children in vulture conservation, specifically in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Kwenia landscapes.

Vultures play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by scavenging on carcasses, thereby preventing the spread of diseases. Despite their importance, vulture populations across Kenya face significant threats, particularly from wildlife poisoning. Vultures are often unintended victims when they consume poisoned carcasses intended to target predators like hyenas and lions, resulting in their mass deaths. Disturbingly, children have been implicated in some cases of wildlife poisoning, as they may resort to using common household chemicals like dry cell battery components to poison carcasses after livestock losses.

Ongoing education programs have been critical in raising awareness about the dangers of poisoning wildlife, particularly vultures. This year, Nature Kenya took the lead in ensuring that children in key landscapes like Amboseli, Kwenia, and Mosiro in Kajiado County and Maasai Mara in Narok County participated in the anti-wildlife poisoning campaign. To mark IVAD, Nature Kenya held school outreach activities at Oldorko Primary School, Sterling Academy and Olorika Comprehensive School, where children drew and coloured vulture-themed artwork. They also watched an educative vulture video and participated in interactive discussions. The goal was to help them understand the ecological significance of vultures and how their conservation is critical to maintaining balanced ecosystems. Through these engaging activities, over 1,000 children learned more about vultures and how they prevent the spread of diseases by efficiently clearing dead animals from the landscape.

These outreach events fostered knowledge and sparked a sense of responsibility and appreciation for vultures among the younger generation. By introducing children to the world of conservation in such an engaging and imaginative way, Nature Kenya aims to mentor a future generation of conservationists who understand the value of vultures in our ecosystems and are inspired to protect them.

In Nairobi, a significant step forward for vulture conservation was made to commemorate IVAD. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), in partnership with Nature Kenya and other conservation organisations, launched the “Vulture Multi-species Action Plan for Kenya (2024-2034)” a day before the IVAD celebrations. The action plan aims to address the alarming decline of Kenya’s vulture populations – down by over 70% in recent decades – due to poisoning, collision with energy infrastructure, electrocution and habitat loss.

The multi-species action plan outlines targeted measures to protect and restore populations of critically endangered species like the White-backed Vulture, Rüppell’s Vulture, White-headed Vulture, and Hooded Vulture. The plan seeks to mitigate threats by working with communities, conservation groups, and stakeholders to promote sustainable practices that protect vultures and their habitats.

Flamingos on show at Lake Elmenteita

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Aloise Garvey

The Great Rift Valley is a fantastic place with many habitats like wetlands, woodlands, shrublands, and lakes. The Rift Valley Lakes, stretching from Ethiopia to Malawi, are especially famous for their great concentrations of birds. In Kenya, there are eight Rift Valley lakes, both salty and freshwater, and they are home to many animals.

Lake Elmenteita, for example, is a shallow alkaline lake about 120 kilometres northwest of Nairobi and is fed by rivers, streams, runoffs, and a hot spring. It is interesting because even though water flows in, there’s no way out, so the lake gets salty and full of minerals. This makes it perfect for a cyanobacterium formerly known as the blue-green alga Spirulina, which is the main food for Lesser Flamingos. Over at the nearby and famous Lake Nakuru, the water has risen and become less alkaline and the flamingo population has declined, so Lake Elmenteita has become a hotspot for these pink birds.

This year, there was a sudden influx of Lesser Flamingos at Lake Elmenteita in June, and they have shown signs of breeding, by their vivid plumage and by practicing building nests. In early July 2024, the flamingos began building mud nests along the shores and on islands within the lake. There are potential threats to the nesting flamingos, including predators like hyenas and other carnivores and scavengers like Marabou Storks and Pied Crows. Additionally, many tourists visiting the lake can disturb the nesting birds. Protecting the nesting flamingos is essential because they are sensitive to environmental changes.

But it’s not just flamingos; Lake Elmenteita is also home to many Great White Pelicans. When the water levels go down, the lake’s ‘islands’ pop up, and the pelicans love using them as safe spots to build nests. Because of all the incredible species that rely on Lake Elmenteita, it is a critical area for biodiversity, a Key Biodiversity Area and a World Heritage Site.

KBAs in Focus – Taita Hills Forests

Posted on by John Mwacharo

Located in southeastern Kenya within Taita Taveta County, the Taita Hills forests constitute a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). Perched high on a series of ancient hills rising above the dryland plain, the Taita Hills forest fragments are like forest islands. These isolated forest fragments are known for their highest levels of endemism globally and form the northern part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. The forests include Ngangao, Iyale, Susu, Mbololo and Fururu, among others, managed by the Kenya Forest Service, while Chawia and Vuria are under the management of the county government of Taita Taveta.

The KBA provides crucial habitat for numerous endemic, endangered, and critically endangered species. Some species are found exclusively within this area, making it an Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site. Notable species include the Taita Apalis, Taita Hills warty frog, Taita Thrush, Taita Hills purple-glossed snake, Taita Hills caecilian and Taita dwarf shrew.

Other globally threatened species reflecting the KBA’s critical conservation importance include the Taita White-eye, the endangered limbless Sagalla caecilian (which lives in the soil and leaf litter of the forest), the vulnerable small nocturnal primate known as the Taita Mountain dwarf galago (bushbaby), and the Taita blade-horned chameleon, among many others documented or yet to be discovered.

Despite the indisputable uniqueness of the KBA, it faces serious threats. These include rapid forest fires, mainly intentionally caused by community members clearing land for agriculture or due to the myth that forest fires lead to assured rainfall. The intensification of land use around the forest patches, driven by rapid population growth, has increased encroachment on the forests for agricultural production. Other threats include forest fragmentation, forest grazing, and climate change impacts. Additionally, the forests are threatened by an invasive species of dodder plant (Cuscuta sp.), a parasitic vine that grows rapidly, entwining and parasitising host plants, potentially threatening the survival of the forests and their biodiversity.

Conservation efforts that focus on preserving and restoring these diverse forest fragments are essential for ensuring the survival of the unique biodiversity they harbour. Concerted efforts by the national government, county government of Taita Taveta, non-governmental organisations, and local community members are evident. Taita Taveta County was the first to sign an agreement with the national government regarding the devolvement of forestry in 2013/14. The county has been at the forefront of developing forest management plans for Chawia and Vuria forest fragments and is actively formulating the forest and landscape restoration implementation plan (FOLAREP). The community, through a local conservation group known as the Dawida Biodiversity Conservation Group (DABICO), in partnership with Nature Kenya, is sensitising the community about preventing forest fires, discouraging the use of the dodder plant for beautification purposes, and participating in other initiatives such as ‘adopt-a-forest’ to enhance restoration of degraded forest landscapes within the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA).