Empowering positive change within our neighbouring communities is a big part of what we do. Our wildlife conservation efforts go hand in hand with helping people to help themselves build a brighter future. This mission is no different with Mutara Ranch, a 20,000-acre property now under the management of Ol Pejeta. Forging relationships with surrounding communities has been a priority here, and recent water projects, school trips and community engagement initiatives have laid the foundations for a promising partnership. Here are some of the community outreach programmes completed so far:
Drops of Hope
The dry season has been particularly harsh this time, drying up rivers and leaving cattle herders with little pasture to graze. The Sukuroi community, on the Northwest boundary of Mutara, rely heavily on cattle for income. The death of a cow could mean the loss of many months worth of salary for a pastoralist. In response to this, Mutara management has given this community access to one of the water-troughs in the Conservancy area, for as long as the dry spell persists. They have also built a dam for the same purpose in the Northeast of the Conservancy, to assist pastoralists here too.
Lending a helping hand in tough times transforms the way in which the local people interact with wildlife and conservation initiatives.
Inspiring Minds of the Future
February 2nd was World Wetlands Day, and students from Ewaso Nyiro Primary and Mutara Primary were treated to field trip in Mutara Conservancy. The highlight of the trip for many of the students was a game drive, where some of the children saw wildlife they had never seen before. After the drive, the students listened to a talk on wildlife conservation, and how it related to them. Engaging young people in conservation is vitally important for the sustainability of both Mutara and Ol Pejeta. This was the first of many school excursions that the management intends to organise here.
Community Matters
The Mutara team holds frequent meetings with community leaders and respected elders. In these meetings, management plans are discussed, as well as any community concerns, such as ways to minimise human/wildlife conflict. These open channels of communication are important for both parties, and this was proven recently when a fire broke out on the Conservancy boundary. A local cattle herder spotted the fire, and immediately alerted the Mutara team, who managed to contain the fire with help from several members of the community.