The hosting of the African Conservation Forum in Kenya at the end of June provided the ideal opportunity for the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s CEO, Yolan Friedmann, and senior officials based outside the East African country to visit some of the projects being undertaken under the banner of the International Crane Foundation / EWT Partnership.

Yolan was accompanied by head of the EWT’s African Crane Conservation Programme Kerryn Morrison and Head of Conservation for the EWT, Dr Ian Little, Charles Kayijamahe, Rwanda country manager and East Africa regional Director, Dr Adalbert Aine-omucunguzi.

Despite the chilly Sunday morning, Yolan, Ian, Kerryn, Charles and Adalbert visited our intervention sites in Nandi County, Kenya. It was amazing to host them as they walked through the Enriched Buffer Zone, Climate Smart Agriculture and Spring Protection Sites.

They unknowingly interacted with 28 community members and 6 young kids who were excited to see them. We almost had a community Baraza quorum.

ICF/EWT is a movement that is well known in that area of Nandi,and visitors are greatly welcomed with a glass of ‘Mursik’ (fermented milk).

The team also visited Homa Bay on Lake Victoria and landscapes in and around the city of Kisumu.

It was impressive to see the work being done on the ground and to speak to the teams working in these areas. It is nice to see our strategies being implemented and coming into place. The scale of work does have a massive impact on communities who are benefiting in various ways. Recent reports show that farming productivity is now seven times more productive than mono-culture and farming within the wetlands. Because it is now easier for communities to farm, they are earning an income and are healthier because of improved nutrition.

One of our meetings with community members was at the Manor House Agricultural Centre which specialises in regenerative agriculture and they have offered free slots for community members to be trained. One of the members we visited graduated last year and is now training other farmers in his community.

On a conservation note: Kerryn managed to spot a pair of Banded Cranes booming in a flock in Baratton University. This is the first record we have in Nandi and possibly in Kenya.