A waterfall in one of the forest.

This project contribute to the conservation of the Kikuyu Escarpment by promoting community-led nature-based investments that improves local livelihoods and help protect the rich forest biological resources. This work will consolidate the lessons learned from the past projects and help design a long community driven eco-tourism and payment for ecosystem services initiative that will provide the much needed financial support for local residents. Already, local groups including KENVO have helped the local communities from in the project area to develop management plans for the forests which outline some of the possible activities (including eco-tourism) to be undertaken by the community. The forests provide magnificent scenes ideal for ecotourism and other environmental services. The area is a source of water to many river streams that provide water to local residents. However, economic values of these rivers are not known.

Further, the project expect to initiate and enhance a joint forest policing scheme involving community and key stakeholders including Kenya Forest Services, Kenya Wildlife Services and local administration in at least 2 of forests of the Kikuyu Escarpment Forest landscape. It is important to note that already, some of the local communities and partners are playing key role in informing the Kenya Forest Services of any illegal activity observed in the forests. Further, KENVO has helped some of the local groups to start tree nurseries that supplies seedlings for rehabilitation of the degradation forest areas. In addition, a community and school outreach project has been established that is helping reach more residents with conservation messages. The activities will be strengthened.

KENVO and other partners are making some attempts to document other ecosystem services from the forest and their economic value as well as their contribution to the well being of the local residents. Currently, the government and other stakeholders are engaged in negotiations to develop water payment schemes where some funds will be retained for establishment of community driven initiatives. The project intends to work with KENVO and other partners to gather this data and recommend the possible activities that can be undertaken by the community as outlined in the management plans. Policy and project beliefs will be produced and shared widely about the findings and strategies to secure and enhance conservation of the forest and its resources.