The LWF’s Community Conservation programme: Achievements in 2005

Reafforestation

• Three new tree nurseries established in the eastern unit (Nandugoro, Arjijo and Ethi). 18 men and 14 women trained on nursery management, seed handling and establishment. Over 10,000 seedlings germinated in each of the three nurseries transferred into polythene tubes awaiting rain season
• 15 women and 19 men from established Ethi and Chumvi tree nurseries trained on seedling handling, nursery management and establishment
• Seven tree nurseries in Daiga division provided with tools
• 30,000 tree seedlings (both exotic and indigenous) were planted in different parts of the Central unit (schools and individual farmers)
• Rumuruti forest management and conservation committee (RFMCC) recruited a Forest Co-ordinator to spearhead the registration of a community-based forest association and to mobilise user-groups to kick-start participatory forest management activities
• 28 scouts underwent a 10 days’ training on forest patrols, drill, first aid, public relations and forest law amongst other things
• Eight tree nurseries established in eight sub-locations / user groups under RFMCC. Tree seedlings are to be replanted in the Rumuruti forest at the onset of the long rains
• 37 women and 64 men were trained on participatory forest management in the Eastern unit
• Four water projects completed at a cost of about 4 million Kenyan shillings resulting in reduction of pressure on the forest water springs
• One draft Participatory Forest Management plan developed and distributed to all partners in Mukogodo. Forest scouts equipped with transport and communications equipment

Conservation-based enterprise

• One community ecotourism facility (Ereri multicultural boma) helped to increase sales by 180,000 Kenyan shillings from gate charges and sale of products
• 40 women trained to produce high-quality beadwork in Ilmotiok group ranch
• One ecotourism community lodge completed in Ilmotiok group ranch belonging to a women’s group, the only one of its kind in Laikipia
• Three ecotourism initiatives supported (Luoniek, Kaptuya Campsite and Nagum cultural manyattas)
• 50 Langstroth beehives purchased for communities in Tiemamut group ranch
• 16 individuals from around the Rumuruti forest trained on modern beehive making at Kinamba Youth Polytechnic

Environmental education

• 133 primary schools (3926 students) benefited from the LWF schools based environmental education
• Four community-based conservation groups (110 adults) taken on educational tours using the LWF school bus

Water management

• Three committees (Mutara, Naromoru and Burguret) trained on conflict management and skills pertaining to river water usage and management
• One-day workshop held to sensitise interim members of Ngobit, Rongai and Ngare Ngiro rivers, on the ongoing reforms within the water sector
• One rock water catchment project completed in Morupusi group ranch

Rangeland rehabilitation

• Grass reseeded on a severely degraded 50-acre plot in Tiemamut group ranch
• 2,000 aloes planted at the demo plot at Rumuruti. Community trained in establishment and extraction process of aloe sap (also a conservation enterprise)
• One permit obtained on behalf of the Githira / Ol Pejeta hill community conservation project to use the 300 acres of land for conservation and nature-friendly income generating activities

Wildlife management

• 36 predator-proof demo bomas put up to reduce human wildlife/ conflict (predation)
• Community-based problem animal control methods (chilli fence) introduced to 20 farmers at Thome and Raichiri
• One 10km-long fence project completed to eradicate elephant crop raiding in Endana North

Conservation awareness and public participation

• World Clean Up Day was marked in Rumuruti town with four schools and their patrons undertaking a clean up activity, i.e. Manyatta primary, Rumuruti primary, Familia Takatifu primary and AIC primary
  Marura birdwatchers participated at an annual water bird census organised by Nature Kenya and the Ornithology Department of the National Museums of Kenya
• One C.B.O assisted in technical advice concerning conservation of Uaso Narok swamp i.e. NASAKITU self help group
• Two field days for lower Pesi water users association and Thome as an exposure for water conservation and organic farming at Kisima Farm Limited
• One group taken for exposure tour of range and pasture management projects in Uaso Nyiro and Eastern units. 31 people (12 females and 19 males) benefited from the tour
• World Tree Planting Day was marked at Oljabet trading centre with various activities taking place, i.e. tree planting, clean up and drama with conservation values. Tree-planting campaigns were also marked in collaboration with the forest department. Five schools received 300 tree seedlings, which were planted in each school compound. Marura Bird watchers marked tree-planting day by planting 871 tree seedlings at Island primary school