LUMO Community Wildlife Conservancy

Youth engagement has not always been a prominent feature of conservation at LUMO Conservancy. Until recently, many young people in our community were disconnected from the conservancy’s work, unaware of their rights or their potential to contribute to our mission. Recognizing this gap, the Youth Forum, supported by the #BIOPAMA project, was established in 2023 to bridge this divide. Over the past year, the forum has provided a much-needed platform for sensitization, skill-building, and meaningful dialogue between youth and the conservancy. Yesterday’s participatory workshop marked another milestone in this journey. Youth Forum members came together to identify key challenges that limit their involvement, such as governance gaps, and financial constraints. They also explored opportunities for youth-led enterprises and laid out actionable steps for addressing these issues. By focusing on thematic areas like Governance, Youth-led Enterprises, Benefit Sharing, and Financial Sustainability, the workshop aimed to create a comprehensive roadmap for youth engagement in LUMO's conservation efforts. This initiative would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA) and Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association, who have been instrumental in guiding and supporting these youth-targeted interventions. Together, we are building a conservancy model that places every #community members including #youth at the center of its operations—ensuring their voices are heard and their efforts recognized. IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa #lumoconservancy #LUMOConservancy #SustainableFuture #CommunityLedConservation #conservation

Rangers are the unsung #heroes of #conservation, tackling poaching and illegal activities to secure #wildlife and #communities. Read more about their inspiring work: https://lnkd.in/dQF_sMNm Kenya Wildlife Service Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa #BIOPAMA

This past week, our team had the privilege of participating in a transformative four-day SMART training at Maanzoni, Machakos County, organized by WWF-Kenya in collaboration with Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association. The training was more than just learning a tool—it was a deep dive into the power of data in revolutionizing conservation efforts. SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) empowers us to collect, analyze, and act on data that’s critical for protecting wildlife and their habitats. Through interactive sessions and case studies from the Tsavo landscape conservancies and the Mara Triangle, we’ve seen firsthand how SMART is reshaping the way we monitor ecosystems, address threats, and engage communities. Data doesn’t just tell a story; it gives us the power to act, adapt, and innovate. With SMART, we’re better equipped to protect biodiversity, address human-wildlife conflict, and ensure the sustainability of community-led conservation efforts. We are immensely grateful to WWF-Kenya and TTWCA for equipping us with this game-changing knowledge. As we implement SMART at LUMO Conservancy, we’re excited to make every data point count towards a brighter future for our wildlife, landscapes, and communities. #SMARTConservation #DataDrivenConservation #WWFKenya #TTWCA #LUMOConservancy #SustainableFuture

Economic violence is a harsh reality for many women in Kenya’s conservancies, limiting their participation and benefits in conservation efforts. This article dives into the challenges and systemic inequalities they face. 📖 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/d3BY3C5G Let’s strive for equitable conservation solutions. Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association #ConservationMatters #WomenInConservation

In line with the #BIOPAMA project objective of improving governance and management at LUMO Conservancy, a peer learning visit for our board and management staff to Maasai Mara’s Nashulai and Naboisho Conservancies was organized last weekend. This visit reflects our commitment to intentional, continuous learning programs aimed at enhancing our #governance practices and community inclusion strategies. By engaging with peer conservancies, we sought to broaden our perspectives and draw practical insights to refine our approach to conservation and community engagement. The low-impact tourism model at Mara Naboisho Conservancy stood out as a shining example of balancing environmental #conservation with economic #benefits. By limiting the ecological footprint of tourism while ensuring direct compensation to landowners through regular lease fee payments, Naboisho has created a sustainable model that prioritizes both wildlife and the community. Similarly, the robust grazing plans implemented at both Nashulai and Naboisho emphasize the importance of structured #land #use to preserve critical habitats while providing controlled access for #community #livelihoods. The conservancies’ consolation funds, which address human-wildlife conflict by compensating affected community members, further demonstrate the value of fostering trust and maintaining harmonious relationships. Reflecting on this visit, we are reminded of the power of inclusion in decision-making processes. Both conservancies exemplify the importance of integrating community voices, ensuring governance structures reflect the interests and needs of landowners and residents. Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa IUCN #PeerLearning #GovernanceAndEquity #CommunityLedConservation #WildlifeAndPeople #LUMOConservancy

Conservation is a shared responsibility, and at the heart of it are the rangers who walk the fine line between protecting wildlife and fostering trust with the communities they serve. Over the past 2years, through the support of the BIOPAMA project, the conservancy has taken significant strides in enhancing their capacity to provide security for both people and wildlife. The contributions of the #BIOPAMA project have been transformative: Procurement of uniforms: Equipping rangers with proper attire for both functionality and pride in their role. Tactical training: Ensuring preparedness for high-stakes situations while maintaining professionalism in enforcement. Motorcycles for patrols: Extending their reach and improving rapid response to security threats. However, the most profound impact lies in the human rights training integrated into the rangers’ development. This training has gone beyond tactical preparedness to emphasize humanizing and dignifying conservation enforcement. It focuses on fairness, empathy, and respect for the communities whose lives intersect with the wildlife we protect. This deliberate approach has transformed how rangers interact with local communities, turning potential points of conflict into opportunities for collaboration. By ensuring enforcement does not compromise relationships, we’ve strengthened the trust between rangers and the people they serve—a cornerstone of community-led conservation. Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa

For years, conservation was seen as something brought to communities—a plan devised elsewhere, implemented locally. This is #communitybased conservation. But here at LUMO, we’ve embraced a different vision: #communityled conservation. It’s about more than participation; it’s about ownership. It’s the local community deciding what #conservation means for their land, their future, and their wildlife. The giraffes thrive not because they are protected, but because the people protecting them see them as part of their story—a story of coexistence, #stewardship, and pride. True conservation isn’t just about preserving #wildlife; it’s about empowering people to lead the charge for their shared environment. When communities lead, #nature thrives. African Wildlife Foundation The Nature Conservancy Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association

Dive into the latest updates from LUMO Conservancy! This month’s newsletter is packed with stories of impact, and conservation wins you don’t want to miss. Stay informed. Stay inspired. Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa IUCN #LUMONews #ConservationUpdates #WildlifeMatters #BIOPAMA

Recently, we took a significant step toward greater inclusion by hosting two youth engagement meetings at Mghange Dawida and Msorongo Village aimed at sensitizing young people about membership opportunities in Oza Community Land, which is currently open for registration. This initiative, supported by #BIOPAMA, is rooted in findings from the SAGE (Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity) Report 2021, which highlighted gaps in youth and women representation in decision-making. Membership isn’t just a title; it’s a gateway to having a voice in shaping conservation and governance decisions that impact our shared landscape. These meetings were more than just discussions. They were moments of empowerment—sparking dialogue about the role of young people in conservation and building awareness about how they can actively contribute to our shared vision. Why does this matter? Equity and inclusion are not optional; they’re essential. Conservation thrives when every voice is heard, and every member of our community feels empowered to act. By bridging gaps in representation, we’re not only addressing governance issues but also strengthening the socio-economic benefits of conservation for all. To every young person who attended: thank you for stepping forward. Your involvement today ensures that tomorrow’s decisions are more inclusive, innovative, and impactful. Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa IUCN

Silent and secretive, the lesser kudu is one of nature's most elusive masterpieces, hidden in plain sight. Unlike its larger cousin, this shy antelope prefers the solace of dense bushlands, where its striking white stripes and delicate horns blend seamlessly with dappled light and shadows. Here’s something you might not know: lesser kudus are expert browsers, thriving on a diet of twigs, leaves, and fruits that few others can digest. This #adaptability not only ensures their survival but also contributes to the balance of our #ecosystem by aiding in vegetation control. And it’s not just their diet that’s remarkable—lesser kudus are masters of disguise. When danger approaches, they freeze, relying on their incredible camouflage rather than fleeing, a skill that has allowed them to coexist with predators for centuries. Spotting a lesser kudu in LUMO isn’t just a #wildlife encounter; it’s a moment of rare privilege. Their gentle presence reminds us of the beauty in life’s quieter, more understated wonders.