CLICK TO VIEW LATEST NEWSLETTER
	CLICK TO VIEW PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS

 February E-News 

To all LWF members, friends and supporters,

Please note that 2010 membership fees are due.  For rates, please enquire to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

All members should have received LWF’s January newsletter.  A PDF version is also available on the website www.laikipia.org

The LWF strategic plan drafted in the second half of 2009, was reviewed by the board, and agreed that a small group would convene in early 2010 to finalise it.  The strategy will guide the work of LWF for the next 5 years.

Tourism

The photographers for the Laikipia coffee-table book arrived in Laikipia to carry out their first photo shoot.  The photo led book anticipated to be ready for distribution in mid 2012, aims to document and promote all aspects of the Laikipia region, in particular it’s unique natural attributes, as well as capture the Laikipia spirit embodied through the work of LWF.  Many thanks to all those who have hosted and supported the photographers.

Wildlife Management

The 2nd phase of the Laikipia West fence is ongoing.  5 energiser houses are under construction within Ol Maisor ranch, and the wiring of the 28km section is underway.

With Kshs 2.2 million pledged by CDTF through the community group to rehabilitate the Mwenje fence in an effort to mitigate the human elephant conflict, the North Western CLO coordinated a meeting for all stakeholders.  It was agreed that the community fence would run parallel to Laikipia Nature Conservancy, and a cactus barrier also be planted.

The LWF Uaso Narok CLO attended a predation crisis meeting facilitated by the Laikipia Predator Project, held at Ngare Mare where 70 community members / farmers attended.  A film highlighting ways to mitigate human / predator conflict was shown, and the chain link ‘boma’ was introduced as an effective predator proof method for protecting livestock during the night.

Community Conservation

The LWF ED (Executive Director) attended a presentation for Laikipia land owners on the ‘Land Policy & the Revised Harmonised Constitution’ held by Chris Foot (member of the Kenya Land Users Association) at Suyain Ranch.  This gave LWF members an opportunity to understand aspects of Land Policy and developments within the Constitution. 

The LWF ED continues to participate in the Mt. Kenya Growers Group meetings made up of commercial growers from the flower and vegetable trade, where the agenda includes sustainable measures for water use.

Facilitated by LWF, a meeting between Laikipia land owners and the British Army was held at Enasoit Ranch, where the key agenda was managing army training and improving communication.

15 members of Loisukut WRUA (Water Resource User Association) benefited from training in institutional strengthening, with support from the LWF Central CLO and Rural Focus, and inline with their Sub Catchment Management Plan.  The WRUA identified leadership and management as areas where they need additional skills, and Kingstone Business Consultancy Services carried out the training in mid February in Dol Dol Center. 

As proposed in the Sub Catchment Management Plan for Ngusishi WRUA, a sensitistion meeting on soil conservation was held, and attended by 180 members of the RWUA.   The meeting was also attended by Rural Focus and the LWF Eastern CLO.

The LWF CLO’s continue to offer support to the Bio Enterprise Programme (LWF/AWF) to identify suitable groups for plant based and organic honey production.  In Central unit, the Withare aloe growers, Tigithi Aloe growers and Rabee Bee-keepers have met the required criteria, as have the Musul Bee Keepers in Uaso Nyiro unit.  The Bio Enterprise team has also been exploring possible collection sites where groups can deposit their crude honey. 

Faciliated by the Uaso Narok CLO, Mutara and Pesi WRUA have become members of the Ndaragwa Forest Community Forest Association.

6 community members from Musul group ranch were identified as the task force to spearhead the implementation of Holistic Management (HM) within the group ranch. The task force was trained on the principles for the success of HM, and the planned grazing area was identified, and will be placed on a map with support from CETRAD.

Organised by the Eastern unit CLO, Makurian group ranch members met to discuss grazing plans for the Oreteti conservation area covering around 2000 Ha of the ranch.  Makurian was one of the first group ranches in Laikipia to be introduced to the concept of HM, and it has been in trial since 2008. 

LWF helped Il N’gwesi group ranch develop a 5 year strategic plan for 2010 to 2015, to strengthen the current structure.