United for Nature: IFAW, TNC, WWF-Kenya forge game-changing conservation pact

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the World Wide Fund for Nature – Kenya (WWF-Kenya) have launched a transformative five-year partnership to amplify conservation efforts for the benefit of both people and nature.

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Nairobi, the partnership leverages the strengths of the three organizations to design and implement impactful projects aimed at improving community livelihoods, ensuring habitat connectivity, and fostering sustainable development.

This collaboration brings together decades of expertise to accelerate biodiversity conservation and socio-economic advancements while addressing critical challenges such as habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and the over-exploitation of natural resources.

Central to the partnership is a commitment to place communities at the heart of conservation, prioritizing their inclusion, capacity building, and empowerment.

Through active engagement with communities, the initiative seeks to promote ownership of conservation projects, incorporate indigenous knowledge, and establish sustainable financing mechanisms that benefit both ecosystems and local populations.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, IFAW’s Africa Director, James Isiche, stressed the urgent need to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change, which are increasingly affecting communities across Kenya.

He highlighted how population growth is fragmenting wildlife habitats, exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts, and creating the need for innovative solutions, sustainable resource management, and strong partnerships to protect Kenya’s iconic landscapes and wildlife.

WWF-Kenya CEO Mohamed Awer emphasized the inextricable link between Kenya’s environment and its economic and social health.

“Here in Kenya, we recognize that our national development is tied to the health of our environment. If our ecosystems collapse, so will our economy and society,” he said.

Awer noted that partnerships like this are essential for driving meaningful conservation actions aligned with sustainable development, calling for transformative collaborations and climate action investments to address pressing environmental challenges.

Echoing this sentiment, Munira Anyonge Bashir, TNC Kenya’s Government Relations and Policy Director, underscored the importance of community-driven conservation.

She emphasized the need for community involvement in combating over-exploitation, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, and securing sustainable financing for conservation efforts.

The MOU reflects the shared vision of IFAW, TNC, and WWF-Kenya to create a cohesive approach to conservation.

By pooling resources and expertise, the partnership aims to develop innovative, large-scale solutions that balance the needs of people and wildlife.

Over the next five years, this consortium will work collaboratively to safeguard Kenya’s biodiversity, build climate resilience, and secure sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

This partnership exemplifies the power of collective action, underscoring the potential of working together to achieve greater conservation impact and to ensure a future where people and nature coexist in harmony.

The post United for Nature: IFAW, TNC, WWF-Kenya forge game-changing conservation pact first appeared on KBC.

The post United for Nature: IFAW, TNC, WWF-Kenya forge game-changing conservation pact appeared first on KBC.