For years, the Mpala Research Center has hosted a long-term study on rangelands ecology, and the interface between soils, grasses and their consumption by both wildlife and livestock. The KLEE Project (Kenya Long-term Exclosure Experiment) is located on Mpala Ranch. The work occurs mostly on “black cotton soil” dominated by the tree Acacia drepanolobium (Whistling Thorn) and a…
Alex Lekalaile the Rangeland Coordinator for Westgate in Samburu County collects data on Acacia reficiens LWF is working with NRT and conservancies with support from the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), and the World Agroforestry Center to map the current extent of Opuntia stricta and Acacia reficiens in conservancies of Laikipia…
Opuntia Stricta – prickly pear – remains an invasive species threat in Laikipia. Laikipia County Government has been in the forefront of discussions on how to address this invasive species. On February 22, 2019, the County Department of Water, Environment and Natural Resources, led the third follow-up stakeholder workshop to agree a way forward on…
Opuntia species have been present in Laikipia for over 50 years. These species were initially introduced for ornamental and live fencing purposes. However, over the past 15 years, some of these species have spread and become aggressively invasive, covering hundreds of acres of land. This spread has included invasion of conservation areas, rangelands and cultivation…
The Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA) is the premiere body for advocacy and lobbying on behalf of conservancies at the national level. A conservancy is private or community land registered and managed for purposes of sustainable wildlife management and compatible land uses for better livelihoods. Conservancies are a recognized land use under the Kenyan Wildlife…
The prickly pear, or Opuntia, is a plant surrounded by Mexican mystery and legend and has been an iconic ingredient in various South American dishes and ceremonies for centuries. Its reputation is one filled with health and prosperity. Brought into Kenya’s Northern Laikipia territory over 40 years ago to be used as a live fence…