Connecting people to nature: Is development the key to longterm success in wildlife conservation?

Objective: to conserve wildlife without tradeoffs to local communities

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya (http://www.lewa.org/about-lewa/a-catalyst-model-for-community-conservation/) works as a catalyst and model for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat. It does this through the protection and management of species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes, and the education of neighbouring areas in the value of wildlife.

Lewa’s successful working model has provided the framework on which many conservation organisations in the region are based. By directing the benefits of their success to helping local communities, Lewa has helped alleviate poverty, and created enthusiasm among communities for wildlife conservation. Lewa contributes to development, education and community programmes.