Community-Led Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management (CCSRM) Project

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Community-Led Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management (CCSRM) Project

Implementing Organization: African Centre for Environment, Energy & Climate Advocacy (ACEECA)

Location: Kenya (Focus on biodiversity hotspots, wetlands, and community forests)

Target Beneficiaries: Indigenous communities, smallholder farmers, women & youth groups, forest-dependent populations

1. Project Background

Kenya’s rich biodiversity faces unprecedented threats from deforestation, land degradation, and unsustainable resource extraction. The Community-Led Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management (CCSRM) project empowers local communities to become stewards of their natural resources while improving livelihoods through sustainable practices.

This initiative aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 Environmental Pillar, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land).

2. Project Objectives

  1. Strengthen Community-Based Natural Resource Management – Establish participatory governance systems for forests, water, and wildlife.
  2. Promote Sustainable Livelihoods – Develop eco-friendly income sources linked to conservation.
  3. Restore Degraded Ecosystems – Rehabilitate forests, wetlands, and rangelands through nature-based solutions.
  4. Enhance Biodiversity Protection – Combat poaching, illegal logging, and habitat destruction.
  5. Build Climate Resilience – Integrate conservation with climate adaptation strategies.

3. Key Activities

A. Community Governance & Capacity Building

  • Form Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs)
  • Train Community Rangers in anti-poaching and forest monitoring
  • Develop Participatory Land-Use Plans with traditional knowledge

B. Sustainable Livelihood Development

  • Beekeeping & Honey Value Chains in forest-adjacent communities
  • Eco-Tourism Initiatives (homestays, guided nature trails)
  • Sustainable Agroforestry (indigenous tree nurseries, fruit farming)

C. Ecosystem Restoration

  • Mangrove Replanting in coastal areas
  • Grassland Rehabilitation for pastoral communities
  • Riverine Buffer Zones establishment

D. Biodiversity Conservation

  • Wildlife Corridors creation to reduce human-wildlife conflict
  • Endangered Species Protection programs (e.g., Grevy’s zebra, Sokoke scops owl)
  • Native Seed Banks for indigenous vegetation recovery

E. Education & Advocacy

  • Environmental Clubs in schools
  • Radio Programs on sustainable resource use
  • Policy Dialogues with county governments

4. Expected Outcomes

  • 40,000+ hectares under community-led conservation management
  • 60% reduction in illegal logging/poaching in target areas
  • 15,000+ households with improved livelihoods from sustainable enterprises
  • 200+ community rangers trained in conservation monitoring
  • 30+ schools with active environmental programs
  • 4 County Governments adopting community conservation policies

5. Sustainability Strategy

  • Community Conservation Trust Funds from eco-tourism revenues
  • Green Enterprise Cooperatives for long-term income generation
  • Policy Integration with county development plans
  • Digital Monitoring Systems (GIS mapping, citizen science apps)