Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Management and Conservation Project

The goal of the 1996-2002 project was the conservation of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, its biodiversity, and its functional, socio-economic and cultural values. This was achieved by establishing and supporting management and conservation practices with community involvement. Forest management has traditionally been the responsibility of the Government. Forests are gradually degrading nation-wide, mainly because of inadequate representation of stakeholders in forest management, and shortage of resources for management by government agencies. A combination of community participation with strengthened law enforcement systems and procedures was at the heart of the project. This was assisted by development of forest-based income-generating activities such as beekeeping and butterfly farming. For example, the project supported and expanded the Kipepeo butterfly farming project, which is administered by Nature Kenya in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, and entails rearing selected butterflies and exporting their pupae to earn cash for the community. Other activities concerned ecotourism, education, and research and monitoring to assess effectiveness of these activities.