Introduction:
The world increasingly relies on many traditional communities like the Maasai to protect the ecological treasures that exist within the land that they own. But the incredible wilderness and wildlife of Africa’s grasslands and the famous culture of the Maasai people both face daunting threats to their long-term survival. The fate of both rests with the Maasai themselves as they work to figure out how to benefit from their incredible natural resources while preserving them.
“Preserving wilderness, wildlife, and cultural heritage across the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem by creating sustainable economic benefits for the Maasai people”
Mission Statement:
The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust works to protect the legendary ecosystems and astounding biodiversity of East Africa through conservation that directly benefits local Maasai communities.
Website:
http://www.maasaiwilderness.org/
Project Summary:
The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust is a pioneering partnership between professional conservationists and dynamic young Maasai leaders to show that the Maasai community can thrive, not just survive, by managing their ecosystem wisely. MWCT’s efforts are focused on the Maasai communities and landscapes of Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, in the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem. The Maasai communities of this area own all of the land, and within lie critical wildlife migration corridors and habitat reserves.
MWCT funds and operates programs that promote sustainable economic benefits from conserving this ecosystem. Lease payments for conservancy zones, carbon credits, sustainable ecotourism, wildlife monitoring and security, conservation, access to quality educational opportunities, adequate and accessible health services and tourism employment—these are just some of the ways MWCT is creating a cutting edge model of successful community-based conservation. With over 10 years of experience in project management and implementation, the organization has grown in strength with a heavy focus on capacity building and training of its 250 staff.
Project Background:
The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) was founded in 2000 on Kuku Group Ranch, communally owned Maasai land bordering both Tsavo West and Chyulu National Parks. As such it lies in the heart of the Tsavo-Chyulu-Amboseli ecosystem recognized for its high biodiversity, importance to the national economy through its tourism revenues and vital watershed which provides fresh water to millions of people in Kenya. The ecosystem is of international biodiversity importance protecting key and threatened wildlife populations such as the African Lion, African Elephant and critically endangered Black Rhino. The National Parks lie within a human dominated landscape and the overall health of the ecosystem is reliant on the Maasai owned land within the ecosystem, with the majority of wildlife spending at least part of the year on community land.
MWCT has developed an innovative and unique approach to conservation issues within Maasai communally owned land showing that the Maasai community can thrive, not just survive, by managing their ecosystem wisely. MWCT is led by a Maasai president and supported by professional conservation practitioners anchored in the community to ensure that the well being of the community is achieved through the sustainable management of their natural resources. MWCT works to promote direct benefits from wildlife and sustainable natural resource management and prevent unsustainable land use change which reduces the long term viability of the ecosystem, lowers water availability and impacts community livelihoods.
The core strategy that defines MWCT and distinguishes its’ work as a highly relevant model for addressing 21st Century challenges of global sustainability, is the commitment to achieve conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity by addressing first and foremost the economic needs of people. The world’s natural resources and biodiversity and critical ecosystem services have to be shown to be more valuable in a healthy state than a degraded one. At MWCT, it is believed that working with communities in the developing world to create sustainable economic models out of ecosystems that the world values, but which these communities own, is going to be the defining test of the next hundred years.
Project Implementation:
In the past the Maasai and the wildlife simply lived together, in balance. By demonstrating that the potential of this co-existence being re-established and by showing to the Maasai the economic value of the presence of wildlife in their land, the future of the land, of the wildlife and of the Maasai people will be assured.
MWCT’s international team of experts works with the Maasai community on a knowledge-sharing basis to create and implement holistic and comprehensive programs in conservation, health, and education that serve the community, the wilderness, and the wildlife that are so important to us all.
Project Outcomes & Conclusions:
The Maasai wilderness Conservation Trust has pioneered the creation and rigorous accountability of economic benefits to the Maasai community of Kuku Group Ranch in three predominant ways, all of which are derived from the presence of wildlife and a healthy environment.
The total revenues entering the community through conservation related employment have become substantial. MWCT is the largest employer in the Kuku community and is proactively cultivating and training a new generation of leaders within the community through employment for over 250 local Maasai community members, in all three of MWCT’s programs. Further, the 17,000 Maasai living in the 280,000 acre group ranch are provided accessible and adequate health services. MWCT employs the only doctor on the group ranch, as well as supporting clinics, dispensaries, and regular and rotational rural area outreaches. Finally, MWCT is supporting 21 schools on the group ranch, and employs 53 teachers. Currently, in partnership with the local leadership, MWCT’s scholarship program has benefitted 88 students in secondary and college level education. Our education program focuses on delivering environmental conservation awareness amongst students and the community to instill an appreciation for wildlife and the importance of its preservation.
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