This project is seeking to develop a participatory conservation strategy the threatened species and their habitats at Kinale Forest, of the larger Kikuyu Escarpment Forest and which is anImportant Bird Area. In the recent time, the forest has been receiving negative publicity of logging and elephant pouching. The main activities will include assessment of elephant distribution and threats, capacity building and awareness on the importance of the forest. Further, the project will develop a community monitoring led system to help track illegal activities in the forest. The project will be linked to the current efforts on conservation of the Aberdare and Kikuyu Escarpment ecosystems.

The main activities will involve assessing the level of threats while profiling the ecosystem services that are available in the forest and how they are being affected by the observed unsustainable activities. Further, the project will assess communities’ attitudes towards forest particularly elephants, birds and other threatened species targeted being affected by the unsustainable human activities. The project is also keen to develop a joint monitoring scheme that involves community and key stakeholders including Kenya Forest Services, Kenya Wildlife Services and local administration.

Specifically, the project hopes to develop a simple data collection system that can be used by the local villagers to monitor activities that are happening in the forest. The data to gather will be simple such that it can be collected anyone when fetching fuelwood, water, grazing or doing any legalized activities in the forest. The information gathered will then be used in creating awareness among the local communities about the importance and environmental value of the forest. It is expected that when communities are aware of the resources available and their implications to their livelihoods, they will take great care and responsibilities in their protection of the forest and its resources.

It is hope that by the end of the there will be vital information needed to assist the government and stakeholders in development of appropriate conservation interventions for Kinale forest particularly on the distribution of and threats to forest and its resources, drivers of forest destruction known and appropriate conservation strategy develop. The project will result to improved capacity of local members in planning for conservation projects, conducting research, and creating partnerships with other stakeholders.