Alternative Livelihoods for Charcoal Burners in Kenya

Summary

Help protect the Shimoni forest in Kenya and endangered species who call it home whilst providing sustainable opportunities to locals and educating the next batch of conservationists in local schools.

Background

East Africa’s coastal forests are a global biodiversity hotspot, the Shimoni forest supports one of Kenya’s top three most critical populations of the Angolan black and white colobus and other endangered species. However Shimoni’s forest is being lost at an alarming rate due to property development, slash and burn agriculture, illegal logging and recently, charcoal burning – the greatest threat to habitats in East Africa.

Project aims

Local charcoal burners have told us they would give up charcoal burning if they had an alternative income. This project will help to provide more opportunities to local people which are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Long-term sustainability

Funding alternative job opportunities and eco tourism will give community members a sustainable income whilst protecting the forest, also educating the children on these issues will help conservation to become a way of life for the people of Shimoni.