Challenges Faced:

1.Dry land forest – limited water access for production and consumption
2.Unplanned settlements
3.Encroachments from neighboring communities
4.Prolonged droughts
5.Moranism; and or the loss of respect for traditional governance systems
6.Firearms at the hands of civilians; emboldens disrespect for rangelands management strategies and other associated evils

Root Cause:

Mix of FLR activities and strategies and multiplicity of partners in the landscape has had a fair share of challenges as well as positive lessons to be learnt. There hasn't been sufficient focus on the water for production, tree and grass seed banks and grazing and settlement plans for the landscape which are key for the success of FLR activities.

Lessons Learnt:

1.More partnerships needed; locally and nationally
2.Community ownership key to continuity of FLR activities
3.Diversity of restoration strategies needed for effectiveness; Half moons, swales, vallerani, grazing management, agroforestry, enrichment planting, assisted natural regeneration
4.Incentives and livelihood components encourage involvement of rural communities
5.Tree nurseries and grass seed banks needed to sustain restoration efforts
6.Ecotourism is an opportunity for sustainability
7.Indigenous knowledge and cultural institutions key in land and natural resource management
8.Bunching (animal impact) – is a more effective and readily available tool for land restoration

Recommendations:

1.Set up a resource center to host key CFA programs, information and education centers.
2.Develop and execute a grazing and settlement plan for communities living in Mukogodo forest
3.Explore carbon potential and renegotiate carbon rights for ILMAMUSI communities as a step to sustainable income
4.Encourage communities to use livestock as a tool for land management
5.Operationalize ILMAMUSI Council of Elders to help domesticate indigenous knowledge in forest conservation and help instill discipline in forest and rangelands management