Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

There is no species without habitat. As far as habitats go, forests are ground for complex interactions that impact the planet’s biodiversity- they cover 31 percent of the global land area, provide water, mitigate climate change and are essential for sustainable food production.
Forests are not only about trees but also about the plant and animal species that are harboured in the soil, understory and canopy. They provide habitat for 3700 mammals (68 percent of all species), 5000 amphibian species (80 percent of all known species), close to 700 bird species (75 percent all birds) and millions of insect and microbe species.
Between 200 and 350 million people live within or adjacent to forests, relying on the forest ecosystem and forest species for their livelihood (food, shelter, energy, medicine and cultural identity). Indigenous people and local communities exemplify this symbiotic relationship - with roughly 28 percent of the world’s surface (including some of the most intact forest) currently managed by indigenous people.
Yet, deforestation continues at an alarming rate. Between 2015 and 2020 the rate of deforestation was at an estimated 10 million hectares per year. By 2019, 20,334 tree species had been included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; 1400 of which are critically endangered and in need of conservation. Agricultural expansion is the main driver of forest degradation and the associated loss of biodiversity.
This year’s theme of the International Day of Forests, marked every 21st day of March, is "Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being."
At Lewa, we recognize that one of the greatest challenges that endangered species face is the loss of their natural habitat. For the past 15 years, we have adopted a robust construction of exclusion zones which allows the regeneration of trees and other bio-diversity within the conservancy.
As a community-based conservancy, we also recognize the interdependence of forests and livelihoods. Lewa works with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Mount Kenya Forest Trust, the Ngare Ndare Forest Trust, and numerous Community Forests Associations in forest conservation and the adoption of a tree planting (and tree growing) culture. We oversee tree nurseries that produce 6-10,000 seedlings per year. These young saplings are planted throughout the conservancy, in the schools and farms. We also support local communities in adopting environmentally sound agricultural practices and sustainable economic opportunities
#internationaldayofforests
#forestrecovery
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#exclusionzones
#regeneration
#rewilding
#green