The main achievement in Shimba Hills was the introduction of farm forestry to create a ‘buffer zone’ on farms to reduce the human-wildlife conflicts in the area.
In the Kipini project, the main achievement was the revival of the Fisheries Corporation, which now regulates fishing in the area. Due to mangrove logging, soil erosion was another major problem in Kipini. To curb this problem, 41,293 trees and 159,288 tree seedlings were planted. The EAWLS office established at Kipini functions as the centre for conservation within the community. The local women’s group will however gradually take over the management of the community’s conservation activities.
In Jipe, poor farming methods, encroachment on wetlands and weeds blocking the estuary were all causing severe environmental destruction in Lake Jipe. When EAWLS arrived at Lake Jipe in May 2003, the lake had almost dried up and was less than 1 metre deep. There was barely a trickle of water flowing into the lake and the fish were too small for consumption. After the participatory appraisal and feasibility study, tree nurseries were introduced, the blocked River Lumi estuary distilled, the Njoro springs protected, dams constructed, community water pans were built and the Typha weed from the tributaries removed. Through siltation, canal building and riverbank stabilisation the water level has risen. The lake has now almost reached its original water level. Biodiversity has increased and fish growth has improved. Additionally, alternative livelihoods were developed including honey harvesting with local women’s group. 10 community groups were also trained in proposal writing and their proposals have been submitted to the UNDP/GEF/SGP for funding. So far, Kshs.23million for the project has been raised. A further Kshs.25million has been raised for local community groups. This will enable the project to continue for the next 15 months and has led on to the ‘Lake Jipe Conservation Initiative’ (described below).

Lake Jipe Conservation Initiative
Developed from the above programme, this initiative started in July 2004, to run until 2006, and has received funding from UNDP. EAWLS have been brought on to oversee the disbursement of funds to the Community Based Organisations for their activities, and follow up the programmes implementation. EAWLS is also responsible for reporting to UNDP.

Integrated Natural Resources Conservation and Management in Nyando Watershed and Tinderet Forest
Land degradation and encroachment was a major problem in this area. The soil was being deposited into Lake Victoria and increasing flooding. Since 2003 the EAWLS have worked on various themes in this programme: Soil and water conservation techniques; Farm forestry to improve vegetative cover in the region; Farm terracing techniques to reduce soil erosion; Training and education
Through tree planting, the community has also benefited from building materials, and fuel as an alternative livelihood source. The EAWLS have a station based in the area and three semi-resident experts overseeing the programme. Funded by SIDA this programme’s funding is renewable yearly.

Conservation of Resources through Enterprise (CORE)
The CORE project was based in Taita, Kwale and Samburu. Supported by USAID through PACT-Kenya, CORE undertook various activities;
Various Wildlife Forums were established: Taita Wildlife Forum; The Samburu Wildlife Forum; Kajiado Wildlife Forum and the Kwale Ranches Conservation Association. With the establishment of the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, conservation was introduced as a business.

The Kenya Marine Forum, KMF, was a product of this programme, and this has gone on to become an independent organization, with zonal coordinators placed all along the coastal province to facilitate grassroots activities with Community Based Organisations, in the region.
Assessment of the forest policy was a key component of this project, enabling an independent mangrove policy to be promoted, as mangroves were formally absent from forestry initiatives. This advocacy work continues to date under the KMF.
The Kenya Wildlife Working Group was also a product of this CORE project, and the work undertaken under their remit continues to date.
Nature-based income-generating activities: EAWLS facilitated the creation of nature-based income generating projects in Taita Taveta and South Coast, these are: LUMO Community Wildlife Sanctuary, Lion Rock Tsavo Camp, Kasigau Conservation Trust, Asigau Tourism Bandas, Bungule Women Basket Weavers, Kishushe Sanctuary and Lodge and Mwaluganje Elephant Dung Paper Business.
Public Private Partnerships, PPP: CORE further facilitated the formation of Joint ventures between the community and investors especially in Mwaluganje, LUMO, Kasigau and Kishushe.
CBO governance and management systems: were created for 8 target Community Based Organisations in Taita and the Coastline region.
CORE-Net, a network of more than 100 nature-based organisations, participated in the overall monitoring and evaluation of the CORE projects. Whilst the CORE project ended in March 2005, many of the initiatives begun under this project remit have spurned new organizations and forums which will continue into the future.

Alternative Livelihood and Technologies for East African Cross Border Conservation – Taita Hills component
This project was the Kenyan component of a regional initiative called the ‘East Africa Cross Border Biodiversity Project’, with the overarching goal to reduce the rate of loss of forest biodiversity at cross-border sites of national and global significance. The EAWLS took on the Kenyan component of the project at Taita Hills, Mbololo and Kasigau forests, from 2001-2004. Village-based field demonstration activities on alternative livelihood strategies and technologies were hosted in order to share and spread practical information. For example:
Modern bee keeping and harvesting techniques were introduced. This reduced the use of fire for honey harvesting and consequently reduced forest fires, which were threatening indigenous forests. A honey-processing plant completely maintained by the community was also established.
Community fuel plots, low-cost biogas plants, energy saving ‘maendeleo-liners’ stoves and fireless cookers have improved fuel consumption. Reports show that firewood consumption has reduced by 50% and even by as much as 20% in some areas.
Homestay Ecotourism was also introduced. Better crop yields from use of sludge from the bio-digester supported the development of an eco-tourism enterprise. Rather than build lodges, the community now hosts visitors who stay in the local homes. This has helped generate alternative sources of income and exposed visitors to an authentic experience.
Between January 2003 and December 2004 farmers were trained in using appropriate farming techniques and systems e.g. organic farming, integrated pest management, water harvesting, etc. Farm forestry was also introduced to help soil and water conservation. The project was funded by UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
Working in collaboration with the department of Forestry, participatory forest management plans were prepared for Mbololo, Mwambirwa and Kasigau forests. The local institutions that will implement these plans are in advanced stages of being set up e.g. “NGACOFA” of Ngangao has formally applied for registration from the Registrar of Societies as a Forest Association. Ngangao was gazetted through a gazette notice in 2002.
Following the success of this initiative, EAWLS have now secured a CEPF grant to continue the work.