Practical action for a living forest.

Forest Protection

The essential problem facing the Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the ongoing degradation of the forest biodiversity by the forest adjacent communities. As long as the demand for forest and wildlife-related products exists, the forest biodiversity will be under constant threat. We must continually adapt to this evolving threat of illegal logging, charcoal production or poaching in order to protect the Arabuko-Sokoke forest biodiversity. The main cause of forest exploitation is due to poverty and limited livelihood options. Pressure due to population growth and inadequate government service provision is the greatest threat to the forest and species within it. If the forest is to become sustainable for the long-term, its security is a prerequisite for poverty alleviation, economic development, and for providing safety for all wildlife and their habitats.

Working With Communities

Successful conservation project put people at the centre, thus Friends of Arabuko Sokoke Forest is working with the communities living around the forest to support them through projects that aim at improving their livelihoods and increasing awareness about the biodiversity whilst changing their attitude towards conservation. Protected areas are a choice of land use and the success or failure of our forest is largely dependent on whether the local people, the communities that live on the periphery, support its protection and overall existence.

Infrastructure Development

To deliver good management of protected area, tremendous infrastructure is required including roads, fence and outposts. Good roads in the forest are vital for both law enforcement and tourism and outposts serves as a base for all field operations. Our communities live on the periphery of the forest and are likely to feel the effects of living near wildlife. As many people rely on subsistence farming to survive, their crops were often raided by elephants and other animals, thus all our forest was fenced to mitigate elephant – human conflict.

Eco-tourism

Tourism and other conservation-compatible enterprises with revenues going back to the parks and communities is aiding in economic development and poverty alleviation. Properly managed forest with inclusive tourism development plans implemented can make a direct contribution to local and national economy

Activities

As a natural resource, the forest has attracted a lot of interest, some regrettably deleterious, and as a result, Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest have come up to aid in its protection. We currently operate our law enforcement teams in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Our law enforcement provides the much-needed protection for the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest ecosystem which is threatened by chronic habitat destruction and bushmeat poaching.

Protection Milestones