Conservation Program Update: A New Partnership for Land Restoration!

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust is pleased to announce its' new partnership with the Naga Foundation; a Dutch non-profit organization with the goal of re-greening degraded lands on a large scale using rainwater harvesting techniques and conservation methods to then later have an effect on local climate conditions. Together with the Naga Foundation, MWCT will be working collaboratively on a 15 acre grass seed bank project in the community of Moilo on Kuku Group Ranch!

The heavily degraded and overgrazed landscape in the area of Moilo

The project will not only seek to commence further large scale land restoration that is crucially needed in this heavily degraded area of the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem, but will act to demonstrate to the local community that the benefits of restoring land and grasses can provide sustained benefits for communities and their livestock.

MWCT President, Samson, speaks to the community members of Moilo and introduces the project

This grass seed bank project will provide sustainable ecological and social benefits to the community of Moilo in the form of rangeland improvement contributing to the health of their livestock, and continued community engagement in the project in the form of empowerment of women and employment.

Community members give their approval and acceptance of the proposed project idea!

To commence this exciting project, a series of meetings were hosted with the community of Moilo and its' leadership together with the staff of MWCT. The project was happily accepted by all community leaders and members!

Women and children gather together to hear about the initiation of new project

MWCT was happy to host a Naga Foundation team representative to visit the project site area, interact with the community and Group Ranch leadership, and officially initiative the movements forward with the project!

We look forward to update you more as this exciting partnership and project progresses!

Kuku Group Ranch Chairman addresses the community of Moilo in the prescence of MWCT staff and the Naga Foundation

MWCT Community Outreach Coordinator and Naga Representative speak to the community of Moilo and its' leadership! 

Conservation Program Update: Kuku Grass Seed Bank Taking Shape!

We are thrilled to provide you with an extensive update on the progress of the Grass Seed Bank project in Kuku village! The Grass Seed Bank Project, located in Kuku village, centrally located on Kuku Group Ranch, will seek not only to empower local women to generate a sustainable form of income, but also create awareness in local communities of the benefits of rangeland protection and restoration. 

The official Grass Seed Bank women's group gathers to discuss the purpose, aims, and benefits of the project

Kick starting the project, after the initial installation of the infrastructure for the fence, community meetings took Kuku by storm! After the community was introduced to the project idea in December of 2014, an additional community gathering was held at the beginning of February. Community leaders, members, government officials gathered to discuss the timeline in the coming proceedings and developments, and members to be involved. 

The 20 women members of Kuku who compile the Grass Seed Bank women's group

Further, an inaugural meeting was held with the women's group in charge of the grass seed bank on February 18. A total of 20 women were chosen from the community to be members of the project, to  to take ownership, manage it, and benefit from it. The timeline moving forward was discussed, and the women communicated extensive gratefulness and anticipation for the coming results! 

Ploughing of the approximate 40 acre grass seed 

The ploughing for preparation of the land was completed over a span of four days. Using two bulls, ploughing was done to ensure the creation of a desirable soil for the seeds to germinate and grow. 

Proper sowing techniques were demonstrated and practiced

On February 18 following the meeting, the 20 women were trained by two representatives from the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (KARI) on proper sowing techniques, seed division and seed segregation. The training was very well received and it was very evident in the successful continuation of the sowing process. 

The women practice sewing the seeds in an effective way

The grass seeds differed in preparation, here KARI representative demonstrates the preparation of the horse-tail grass

Seed preparation was completed by the end of February and fence construction commenced immediately! The portable solar electric fence spans the whole perimeter of the grass bank. The grass bank is guarded 24 hours by a local watchman, responsible for communicating messages to the community of the dangers of the electric fence whilst also ensuring the herding of livestock is avoided in the area within the proximity of the fence.

The fence will seek to keep out wildlife and livestock while giving time for the grasses to grow to their full potential. Upon growth in the coming weeks, controlled grazing will be permitted within the grass seed bank, allowing for healthy growth and proper re germination.

A completed solar electric fence!

Moving forward, the community of Kuku, and the Grass Seed Bank women's group anticipate a generous rainy season in the coming weeks so the grasses can grow! We are thrilled to see this project coming together for this community, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of land restoration and protection! Stay tuned for more updates as we wait for the rains! 

Conservation Program Update - Rangeland Monitoring Workshop

In MWCT's efforts to preserve the grassland ecosystem of Kuku Group Ranch, it is just as important to protect the vegetation as it is to protect the wildlife.  Plant life forms the foundation of the food chain, feeding insects and birds as well as the larger grazers and browsers that are hunted by predators.  The grasses are also vital to the goats and cattle herded by the Maasai.  MWCT is working with the community to develop a rangeland management plan that includes vegetation monitoring and rotational grazing.

MWCT Conservation Managers Lana Müller and Dirk van der Goes recently conducted an in-house training for ten staff members to teach them about vegetation monitoring.  Participants received basic information about the ecology and functioning of grassland systems.  They also learned to recognize indicators of rangeland deterioration and rangeland improvement.  Finally, they learned why rangeland monitoring is important and what it entails.  In the afternoon, a practical vegetation monitoring exercise was conducted in the field.  The workshop was educational and enjoyable for all participants.

Conservation Manager Lana Müller taught workshop participants
about rangeland monitoring and its importance.

After Lana's presentation, participants took a written test
to demonstrate their understanding of the material.

Conservation Manager Dirk van der Goes trained participants
in the field by demonstrating rangeland monitoring methods.

The participants put their new knowledge to use by completing
a practical rangeland monitoring exercise in an overgrazed area.