From ‘community-based’ to ‘community-led conservation’ in Kenya: Interview with Dickson Kaelo

Dickson Kaelo, a leader in Kenya's community conservancy movement, describes starting a community trust in 1998 near the Maasai Mara that built dams and dispensaries before the land was subdivided and the effort nearly collapsed.

He rebuilt the model around private land managed collectively, helping create conservancies that, through the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, now cover roughly 15% of Kenya.

Kaelo also discusses Vuma, a $65 million pooled fund for African community conservation groups that has raised about $55 million toward its five-year target, while acknowledging ongoing problems with governance, unresolved land disputes, and heavy reliance on outside donors.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.