Working with Governments and conservation ambassadors to inspire, inform, empower local communities to sustainably engage in nature conservation while advocating for cultural survival, good governance and socio-economic justice in community conservation. Conservation VOICE operates in Northern Kenya with the core purpose to inform, inspire, empower local communities to sustainably engage in enviro
nmental conservation, conserve the cultural heritage, protect the community land rights & advocate for socio-economic justice, promote environmental education, advocate for good governance, promote peace and enhance sustainability in community conservation. It is a charitable membership-based non-for-profit community based conservation initiative established by a voluntary group of indigenous community and professionals who are committed to promoting sustainable conservation-tourism in community and other appropriate natural areas as a tool to achieving the long-term conservation of nature and the associated ecosystem and cultural values. The more than 200 founding members of the Conservation VOICE grew up with wildlife since childhood and now see the need to conserve nature, enhance cultural survival to build resilient communities and ecosystems. The National Wildlife Strategy 2030 provides a framework for coordination and implementation of Article 69 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and as well as the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) articulates an ambitious Vision that ‘Kenyans Value a Wildlife that is Healthy and resilient to threats’. Conservation VOICE believes that the war to stem wildlife loss globally will not be won without local communities. People living alongside wildlife hold the power to determine whether wildlife flourish or perish because they have the ability and capacity to change land use in ways that can positively or negatively influence wildlife conservation. Communities host wildlife on their land while bearing the costs of living with it. Communities that are the frontline of defense have the capacity to protect natural resources and combat illegal wildlife crime when fully involved in the design and implementation of conservation projects. Well-governed community conservation institutions are the best legal structures available to local communities and landowners to empower their ability to manage and benefit from natural resources. Conservation Voice key areas of focus includes Environmental education & restoration, Human-wildlife conflict mitigation, improving governance and strengthening oversight of community conservation institutions, capacity building of community members, solution-based research, Entrepreneurial development and education support through the conservation path, community land rights advocacy. Under its Respect Local Community (RLC) program, Conservation VOICE advocates for ethical tourism through campaigning and educating the Tourism industry and travelling public. It works to highlight tourism negative impacts and potential solutions, believing that host communities should truly benefit, not suffer, from tourism development. It aims to increase the scope of the impact of tourism on environments and host communities among governments, industry, civil society and tourists; and to promote tourism development that is sustainable, just and participatory, and which is founded on a respect for human rights. Pastoralism just like the wildlife and their habitats are facing imminent threats of climate change and historically it has been compatible with nature and therefore it should not be taken as a threat to conservation- we need to come up with smarter and holistic management strategies to catch up or to be resilient with the growing world. In this regard, Community conservancies in their conservation endeavors require protecting and conserving the cultural heritage of the indigenous local communities before it fades away through inevitable globalization. This can be done through cultural education, establishment of authentic cultural Bomas, and recognition and Gazettement of Livestock migratory corridors among many others. Conservation VOICE will work with communities and their conservation institutions to promote Pro-Pastoralism Conservation Model to integrates Pastoralism and cultural education in community conservation
Conservation VOICE brings in the concept of Church4Conservation & Peace to engage the religious institutions to advocate for environmental conservation and Peace through the Gospel. Conservation Voice believes that the Church is more powerful in ensuring environmental conservation, peace and harmony is maintained by appealing to the conscience of the people through ethical teachings. Conservation VOICE further believes that religious leaders and institutions have attribute that are considered trustworthy and credible by the local population for their established roles in their respective communities and such should be used in conflict situations and peace making. Caring for the non-human parts of the creation and preserving the intricate interactions among them is an important part of seeking justice for God’s People
Conservation VOICE uses consultative, more participatory and non-manipulative model to steer its conservation works. It’s key approaches in achieving its vision are through Policy advocacy, Collaborative partnerships, community consultation & participation, Capacity building & trainings, monitoring and evaluative learning, Environmental education & awareness, community livelihood support, benchmarking & exposure tours, research and field visits among many other approaches. In addition, more community members are expected to collectively or individually seek to voluntarily authorize Conservation VOICE for their representation through legally acceptable arrangements. Conservation VOICE further recognizes the efforts of other stakeholders, religious institutions, youths and women and other conservation NGO’s in promotion of conservation work as Conservation requires the participation of more partners; different partners have different approaches and solutions for different environmental and communal challenges. Conservation Voice believes in strengthening and creating more collaboration and partnerships to enhance conservation sustainability by promoting scientific& social research, good governance and engaging in sustainable tourism investments. Good governance can be achieved by strengthening oversight, building capacity of community institution and introducing governance audits systems which Conservation VOICE is embarking through partnership with the community Land owners, the Council of Elders and the PIMA council for Socio-economic and Land rights
Conservation VOICE has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which includes but not limited to promoting inclusive and sustained economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, conserving and sustainably using the rangeland. It also contributes as an enabler towards achievement of the government manifesto and strategic interventions through the demand created along the tourism value chain, conservation of water catchment, biodiversity conservation and wildlife conflict mitigation to enhance food security. Conservation VOICE supports its activities with the generous support of its Conservation ambassadors.
