Description

The solution addresses the degradation of Lake Naivasha by focusing on sustainable land management and community-driven conservation. It combines forest conservation with community livelihood support, contracting Community Forest Associations (CFA) members to raise seedlings, which were paid for by National Alliance of Community Forest Associations)(NACOFA) after being planted on degraded sites. The Kenya Forest Service allowed community members to cultivate food crops alongside the young seedlings, boosting food supply, creating jobs, and protecting the seedlings. Stakeholder mapping and strong partnerships ensured cohesive efforts, while developing governance structures empowered local leaders to manage restoration. The project’s success demonstrates that conservation initiatives aligned with community livelihoods achieve higher success rates, offering a scalable model for ecosystem restoration.

Summary of the process
The four building blocks are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, working together to ensure successful outcomes. Stakeholder mapping and engagement (Building Block 3) lays the foundation by identifying key players and aligning their efforts, preventing duplication and ensuring a cohesive approach. This groundwork is essential for the development of community governance structures (Building Block 4), which empower local leaders and formalize the roles needed for sustainable land management.

Direct community engagement and on-the-ground understanding (Building Block 2) foster trust and buy-in, which are crucial for effective stakeholder collaboration and governance. These efforts are bolstered by the strong relationships and presence of key partners, like the Kenya Forest Service, which validate and motivate community participation.

Finally, the development of governance structures ties everything together, providing the community with the authority and responsibility to manage their lands, ensuring that restoration efforts are sustainable and aligned with local needs.