NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 26 - A significant five-year partnership has been established between the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), World Wide Fund for Nature-Kenya (WWF-Kenya), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) aimed at enhancing community-centered nature conservation.
This collaboration focuses on fundraising, developing, and implementing conservation projects that not only protect wildlife but also improve local livelihoods through sustainable development.
James Isiche, IFAW Africa Director, highlighted the importance of engaging communities in tourism and nature-based solutions to promote human-wildlife coexistence and combat wildlife crime. He stated, “Communities must benefit more from conservation efforts. They see tourists and levies, but they need a direct share in the benefits.”
Munira Anyonge Bashir, TNC Kenya's Government Relations and Policy Director, emphasized the role of conservation education in empowering communities to make informed decisions, particularly when dealing with conservation investors.
WWF-Kenya CEO Mohamed Awer pointed out the critical link between environmental health and economic growth, warning that “Our national development depends on the sustainability of our ecosystems. If they collapse, so will our economy and society.”
The partnership aims to integrate indigenous knowledge and sustainable finance mechanisms to combat threats to Kenya's natural resources while fostering stronger community involvement in conservation efforts.