The East African Wild Life Society

03/08/2026

🌿 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬.

The East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) showcased the Blue Carbon Ecosystem Network (BCEN) during the National Mangrove Stakeholders Forum in Lamu, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration to conserve Kenya's mangrove and seagrass ecosystems.

Kenya has made significant progress in conserving mangrove ecosystems through strong partnerships, community action and supportive policies. However, protecting Kenya's blue carbon future means looking beyond mangroves alone. Seagrass ecosystems, which are equally vital for carbon storage, fisheries, marine biodiversity, coastal protection and climate resilience, require equal attention in policy, research and investment.

To address this gap, the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS), with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and in partnership with Fauna & Flora, is spearheading the Blue Carbon Ecosystem Network (BCEN). The national multi-stakeholder platform brings together government agencies, communities, researchers, academia, civil society, the private sector and development partners to strengthen the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of Kenya's blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves and seagrasses.

During the Forum, EAWLS contributed to high-level panel discussions, highlighting the importance of community participation and policy coherence in advancing the conservation of blue carbon ecosystems while promoting BCEN as a platform for strengthening collaboration, knowledge sharing and coordinated action. The discussions reinforced how these collective efforts can elevate blue carbon ecosystems within Kenya's climate, biodiversity and Blue Economy agendas.

The Forum concluded with the national celebration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, where EAWLS joined fellow stakeholders in a mangrove planting exercise and witnessed the unveiling of the Lamu National Centre of Excellence in Mangrove Forestry and Estuarine Research and Development, reinforcing the importance of research, partnerships and coordinated action in safeguarding Kenya's blue carbon ecosystems.

Organisations and institutions working to conserve mangroves, seagrasses and other blue carbon ecosystems are invited to join the Blue Carbon Ecosystem Network (BCEN). Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj7fyxfaAHPFRSum_TKJKLtf15b4X-qbJHqDs-nfk19hs_lQ/viewform?usp=header

Kenya Forestry Research Institute Kenya Forest Service State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries WWF-Kenya The Nature Conservancy in Africa Northern Rangelands Trust Fauna & Flora Wetlands International

30/07/2026

🌿 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐎𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞.

Lake Ol Bolossat has moved one step closer to becoming Kenya's seventh Ramsar Site following a two-day stakeholders' workshop held in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, on 29–30 July 2026.

Convened by the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) in partnership with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the County Government of Nyandarua, the workshop reviewed the implementation of the Lake Ol Bolossat Integrated Management Plan and validated the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS).

Representatives from national and county government, research institutions, conservation organizations, community-based organizations, and local community groups assessed progress, identified implementation gaps, and agreed on priority actions to strengthen the conservation and sustainable management of lake Ol Bolossat, Central Kenya's only natural freshwater lake and a vital wetland ecosystem that supports rich biodiversity, sustains local livelihoods, and provides critical habitat for cranes and many other species.

Participants validated the Ramsar Information Sheet, ensuring it accurately reflects the lake's ecological, hydrological, and biodiversity values in line with the requirements of the Ramsar Convention. This strengthens the technical basis for the lake's designation as a Wetland of International Importance.

The workshop formed part of the project Unlocking Biodiversity Data to Facilitate the Designation of Lake Ol Bolossat as Kenya's 7th Ramsar Site, implemented by EAWLS in collaboration with the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi (WMI-UoN), and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), with financial support from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation.

Nema Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Land Commission Kenya Forest Service, Wildlife Research & Training Institute Kenya, Wangari Maathai Institute, Nyandarua County Government Nature Kenya-the EANHS, International Crane Foundation Copicad, LOCCOG-Lake Ol'Bolossat Community Conservation Group Cranes Conservation Volunteers/Tulinde Korongo

29/07/2026

𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝟏𝟓 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢

The deaths have raised concern among conservationists because several of the elephants displayed similar and unusual symptoms before dying. According to KWS, 10 elephants developed signs of partial paralysis, becoming unable to stand before dying within two days. Five others were found already dead, with their carcasses subsequently affected by scavengers. Most of the affected animals were females and calves; only one was a male.

Learn more: https://swara.co.ke/mystery-surrounds-15-elephant-deaths-in-amboseli/

25/07/2026

National Mangrove Stakeholder Forum at KEFRI Mokowe, Lamu County Ahead of World Mangrove Day, 26 July 2026

Theme: Healthy Mangroves for a Sustainable Blue Economy and Climate Resilience

25/07/2026

National Mangrove Stakeholder Forum at KEFRI Mokowe, Lamu County Ahead of World Mangrove Day, 26 July 2026

Theme: Healthy Mangroves for a Sustainable Blue Economy and Climate Resilience

Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry State Department of Forestry

25/07/2026

Earlier this week, the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) in collaboration with the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (WMI), University of Nairobi, the County Government of Nyandarua, the Lake Ol Bolossat Community Conservation Group (LOCCOG), and Crane Conservation Volunteers (CCV), visited participating schools around Lake Ol Bolossat to award the winners of the Young Conservation Champions Drawing Competition, an initiative designed to inspire young learners to become champions for Lake Ol Bolossat conservation.

Under the theme “Lake Ol Bolossat Today and the Future We Want,” the competition challenged pupils to create artwork showing the current state of the lake and their vision for its future. Their artworks portrayed a healthy and thriving wetland where biodiversity flourishes, people and wildlife coexist harmoniously, tourism thrives and stakeholders working together to protect the only natural lake in Central Kenya.

Congratulations to all the winners and every pupil who participated!
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the teachers, school administrators, and parents for supporting environmental education and encouraging learners to become ambassadors for conservation within their communities.

This initiative is part of the project “Unlocking Biodiversity Data to Facilitate the Designation of Lake Ol Bolossat as the 7th Ramsar Site in Kenya,” implemented by EAWLS in partnership with the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (WMI), University of Nairobi, and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), with funding from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation.

24/07/2026

NATIONAL MANGROVE DIALOGUE (IDCME 2026) Ahead of World Mangrove Day, 26 July 2026

Theme: Healthy Mangroves for a Sustainable Blue Economy and Climate Resilience

16/07/2026

10/07/2026

🌿 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬! 🌿

This week, the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS), in collaboration with the County Government of Nyandarua, the Lake Ol Bolossat Community Conservation Group (LOCCOG), and Crane Conservation Volunteers (CCV), engaged schools around Lake Ol Bolossat in interactive learning sessions on the importance of conserving Kenya's only high-altitude freshwater lake.

Using findings from recent biodiversity and socio-economic research led by EAWLS with experts from the National Museums of Kenya and other partners, pupils explored the lake's unique wildlife, the benefits it provides to people and nature, and the role they can play in protecting this vital wetland.

The sessions culminated in a drawing competition themed "Lake Ol Bolossat Today and the Future We Want." Through inspiring artwork, the pupils envisioned a healthy wetland where biodiversity flourishes, habitats are restored, and people and wildlife thrive together.

Their creativity, curiosity, and passion remind us that conservation starts with knowledge—and today's learners are tomorrow's environmental stewards.

A big thank you to the participating schools, teachers, and pupils for their enthusiasm and active participation. Together, we can secure a brighter future for Lake Ol Bolossat.

This outreach forms part of the project Unlocking Biodiversity Data to Facilitate the Designation of Lake Ol Bolossat as the 7th Ramsar Site in Kenya.
LOCCOG-Lake Ol'Bolossat Community Conservation Group Cranes Conservation Volunteers/Tulinde Korongo Nyandarua County Government

03/07/2026

The East Africa Wild Life Society (EAWLS) congratulates our Board Chairperson, Elizabeth Gitari-Mitaru, on being recognised as the Leading Environmental Lawyer of the Year at the 3rd Annual Legal Era Africa Law Awards 2025–26, held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We also congratulate -Law, The Greenbrief Advocates, on being named Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Law Firm of the Year.

This recognition underscores the growing importance of environmental law in shaping equitable natural resource governance, supporting the energy transition, and advancing conservation across Africa. It also reflects East Africa's growing leadership in advancing legal solutions that protect wildlife, habitats and ecosystems while promoting sustainable development.

Congratulations on this well-deserved continental recognition.🌿