Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO

27/09/2025

World Tourism Day 2025

Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO is pleased to be part of this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront, Mombasa.

This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” highlights the vital role of responsible tourism in shaping a better future.

As a Conservancies Landscape Association, PECFO is working to elevate tourism opportunities across coastal conservancies while promoting sustainability and community development.

Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association

12/09/2025

Shimba Hills Ecosystem Management Plan (2023–2033) Officially Launched!

Today, at the KWS Kwale office, we proudly witnessed the launch of the 10-year Shimba Hills Ecosystem Management Plan (2023–2033) – a blueprint to safeguard one of Kenya’s most iconic landscapes.

Shimba Hills – a “Paradise of Sables” and the “Bedroom of Elephants” – is not only a biodiversity hotspot but also a cultural heritage site.

Covering 25,904 hectares, the ecosystem brings together Shimba Hills National Reserve, Mwaluganje Forest Reserve, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Mkongani North Forest Reserve, and Mkongani West Forest Reserve.

Developed through a participatory process and officially gazetted in November 2024, the plan aims to strengthen ecosystem resilience, enhance community livelihoods, and drive innovation and partnerships in conservation.

As proud members of Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary extends heartfelt appreciation to WWF for the support, and to KWS, KFS, the County Government of Kwale, and all conservation partners for making this milestone a reality.

Together, we step into a decade of conservation, resilience, and community-driven stewardship for Shimba Hills.

05/09/2025

STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE, BUILDING TRUST

Community conservancies thrive when members have a clear and fair way to solve their concerns.

Today, Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, held a Board and Stakeholders Meeting at the Kwale KFS Boardroom to shape the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. The GRM is a crucial tool for effective governance and accountability.

Key achievements from the session included:

1. A clear grievance redress process proposed

2. Types of grievances outlined

3. A Grievance Redress Committee proposed

4. An appeals procedure proposed, and

5. Confidentiality safeguards for the aggrieved emphasized.

This process ensures that every voice counts, every concern is addressed, and our governance structures continue to grow stronger for the benefit of both the community and conservation.

04/09/2025

04/09/2025

Earlier today, Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association , held a transformative meeting with members of Mwaluganje Sanctuary, graced by the presence of Madam Fridah Anderson, DCC Matuga Sub-County. The meeting was held at the Kwale County Culture Amphitheater.

The focus was on reviewing the sanctuary’s constitution, a vital step in strengthening governance, ensuring transparency, and paving the way for community prosperity and sustainable conservation.

This forms part of an ongoing series of engagements under the Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity (SAGE) project, supported by IIED, aimed at improving governance and equity in conservation — for the benefit of both nature and people.

03/09/2025

Happening Today! Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO (PECFO) in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA) is conducting a powerful training session on Youth & Women Leadership and Advocacy.

This interactive session, co-facilitated by PECFO and KWCA, brings together leaders of the Mwaluganje Youth and Women Forums to build skills, share knowledge, and inspire action.

Key Focus Areas:
1️⃣ Leadership Styles
2️⃣ Barriers & Opportunities
3️⃣ Legal Frameworks
4️⃣ Advocacy Skills
5️⃣ Action Planning & Mapping Opportunities

Together, we are shaping resilient leaders and creating a stronger voice for conservation, inclusivity, and sustainable communities!

02/09/2025

Today, the Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation-PECFO, in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), successfully held Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) at the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in Kwale County. The aim was to gather valuable input towards the development of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for the sanctuary.

The session brought together a wide range of voices including administrative leaders, Kaya elders, women, youth, landowners, and community rangers — to share their perspectives and experiences.

The GRM will provide a fair, inclusive, and transparent way of addressing community concerns while strengthening trust and collaboration between stakeholders.

This marks an important step forward in promoting effective and equitable governance in community conservancies, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both people and wildlife.

12/08/2025

Happy International Youth Day 2025

PECFO joins the world in celebrating International Youth Day by honoring the young boys and girls who are actively contributing to conservation across the Pwani landscape. These passionate young people are the heartbeat of a future where nature and communities flourish side by side. Through their energy, innovation, and commitment, they are shaping a new era of environmental stewardship that will safeguard our natural heritage for generations to come.

In line with this vision, PECFO is taking bold strides in establishing youth forums to nurture and empower the next generation of conservation leaders. A notable milestone is the recent formation of the Mwaluganje Youth Conservation Network—a vibrant platform that unites young minds to champion biodiversity protection, community engagement, and sustainable livelihoods. This network is a testament to the power of youth collaboration in driving impactful change on the ground.

The Pwani landscape also proudly acknowledges the election of Mr. Mohamed Shali from Lamu as the new leader of the National Conservancies Youth Forum. Representing the youth voice at the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association’s National Conservancies Council (NCC) for the next three years, Mr. Shali carries the strong responsibility of ensuring both people and nature thrive in harmony. His leadership symbolizes the rising influence of coastal youth in shaping Kenya’s conservation future, inspiring many to take an active role in protecting our precious ecosystems.

Remember, "The future of conservation lies in the hands of informed and empowered youth."

12/08/2025

Siku ya Tembo Duniani ni wakati wa kipekee wa kuenzi na kutambua nafasi kubwa ya tembo katika mifumo ya ikolojia na maisha ya binadamu. Tembo ni hazina ya urithi wa asili wa pwani na humsaidia mwanadamu kwa kutunza misitu na savanna, kusambaza mbegu, na kulinda usawa wa mazingira. Kwa Pwani Ecosystem Conservancies Foundation (PECFO), tembo si tu ishara ya urembo wa wanyamapori, bali pia ni ishara ya mshikamano wa jamii katika kulinda na kuhifadhi rasilimali hizi kwa vizazi vijavyo.

Tunapoadhimisha siku hii, tunakumbushwa umuhimu wa kushirikiana katika kupambana na ujangili, kupunguza migongano kati ya binadamu na tembo, na kuendeleza njia endelevu za kujipatia riziki ambazo zinaheshimu uhifadhi. PECFO inajivunia kushirikiana na wanajamii, mashirika ya uhifadhi, na wadau wa maendeleo kuhakikisha kuwa tembo wana nafasi salama ya kuishi na kustawi. Pamoja, tunaweza kuhakikisha kwamba tembo wa pwani wanabaki kuwa sehemu hai ya urithi wetu wa asili, wakileta faida kwa watu na mazingira kwa miaka mingi ijayo.

Heri ya Siku ya Tembo Duniani 2025