The Nature Conservancy and LWF Team up in Support of the Laikipia Unity Landscape

LWF recently announced that The Nature Conservancy will also be assisting with the Forum’s strategic planning efforts and will help to structure the organisation to lead the Laikipia Unity Landscape. This is a major effort to fulfil the LWF Mission:

To conserve Laikipia’s wildlife and ecosystem integrity and to improve the lives of its people.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has maintained historical interest and support for Laikipia and the greater Ewaso Nyiro Landscape for the last 10 years.  TNC is a well-known partner at the Lewa Wildlife and Loisaba Conservancies; and they have contributed to work with LWF, Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF), and the Zeitz Foundation on land tenure and conservation in the County.

Lpinguan focus group discussion during LWF’s strategic planning

Lpinguan focus group discussion during LWF’s strategic planning

Beginning in January 2016, TNC has allocated resources and expertise to work with LWF to address the next steps in the evolution of LWF as a membership organisation. LWF will receive assistance with organisation, structure and financing of a conservation land trust that will provide oversight to the Laikipia Unity Landscape.  In addition, LWF will also receive advice and assistance on membership management, fundraising, public relations and advocacy aspects.

The Laikipia Unity Landscape is a unique blend of biodiversity conservation, land use management, and private land ownership. Together, landowners in Laikipia have dedicated themselves to a broad, landscape approach to conservation that provides direct and tangible benefits to the County, Kenya and the international community into the future.

Read more about LWF’s team efforts with TNC and the Laikipia Unity Landscape as LWF’s strategic planning efforts continue on www.laikipia.org and in future editions of Forum Focus.

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LWF strategic planning calendar 2016

Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) continues to gather key information from communities in the five strategic operational units. The process which started on January 8th 2016 is expected to conclude on March 1st 2016. The use of Focus Group Discussions is helping to identify the strength weakness, opportunities and threats of LWF both externally and internally, including its operational area.

Members of a focus group discussion held at Ilpolei Cultural Women’s Centre

Members of a focus group discussion held at Ilpolei Cultural Women’s Centre

In January FGDs were conducted in Uaso Ngiro unit at Ilpolei Cultural Women’s hall with representatives from the Naibunga Conservancy Group Ranch and grazing chairpersons from: Ilpolei, Morupusi, Munishoi, Kijabe, Nkiloriti, Musul; as well as conservation enterprise groups including: Twala Women’s Group (Ilpolei), Nabulu Women’s Group (Makandura); and Naitabaya Women’s Group (Musul). In total 18 people participated (12 men and 6 women).

The second FGD meeting was held in Kimanjo Library and attended by Tiamamut, Ilmotiok, Koija group ranches’ and grazing management chairpersons; members of registered enterprise member groups including: Osotua, Kiyaap, Naroshimali, Naningoi, Naaiku, Nalepo as well as Lower Ewaso Water Resource Users Association (WRUA). 24 people participated (19 men and 5 women)

Feedback from FGDs at Lamuria included a request for LWF to be more involved in the implementation of projects in the area while participants in attendance in Nanyuki looked forward to the realisation of the strategic plan and implantation of projects.

LWF’s future depends on the voice of its membership, of whom 80% belong to community organisations and schools. This process is generously supported by EKN and USAID, the result of which will be a 5 year strategic plan that covers 2016 through to 2021.

Programme

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