There is a compelling case for unlocking the power of carbon credits as a means to generate rural economic returns, while simultaneously securing biodiversity through sustainable, community-supported conservation measures.
Innovative strategies and partnerships are key to the creation of initiatives like our Nyekweri Forest Conservation & Restoration Project that will provide foundational steps towards the ultimate objective of building a community-carbon economy.
We are currently moving forward with our Nyekweri Forest Conservation and Restoration Project. In essence, this is a community-based restoration and conservation project specific to the Nyekweri Forest, the last remaining indigenous forest within the Trans-Mara District.
This region is adjacent to the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve in south-west Kenya, and proximate to the &Beyond camps of Kichwa Tembo and Bateleur, which are situated on a private concession also bordering the reserve.
Over 50% of the forest has been cleared over the last 20 years due to population growth, agricultural transformation and charcoal production; sub-division of the original group ranches of Oloirien and Kimintet over which the forest is spread, is accelerating this deforestation and this precious resource is under severe pressure.
Employ three Community & Conservation rangers from local community
Establish and develop an indigenous tree nursery at community school in collaboration with scholars and teachers
Generate 20 000 seedlings per year for forest restoration to restore forest areas cleared for charcoal production
Expand ECHO Conservation lessons programme to include specific project content
Set up trail cameras in the forest to monitor the movement of elephant and other priority species
Conduct biodiversity surveys, led by Kenya specialists, to determine full understanding of forest fauna and flora
The five complementary elements of the Nyakweri Forest project are integrated with three focus areas: community-based, restoration and conservation.
Community-based
Restoration
Conservation
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