Patrols
Tsavo Pride began undertaking organised patrols in June 2012 although they are lacking any resources. They undertake two patrols per month in each of the sub-locations and one joint patrol per month where by they act on information gathered from the community to decide where to undertake the patrol. In order for the rangers to function effectively they must be equipped with the nessicary tools to gather information and undertake their missions.
Agents of Change
Tsavo Pride will begin building our community relations in 2013 by engaging our rangers to conduct a widespread baseline survey using the participatory action research methodology. This will capture the challenges faced by the communities living alongside the national park as well as attitudes towards wildlife, consumption of bush-meat and partnerships/alliances with active poachers. At the same time the information is being collected, residents will be given a basic introduction into the dangers of consumption of bush-meat and the benefits of conservation and some basic strategies to mitigate their conflicts with wildlife.
Once the baseline survey has been completed rangers will return to the participants each month to monitor progress, identify problems and disseminate information on improved income generation.
Aims of Community Participatory Action Research
· To establish baseline data on local attitudes to conservation, consumption of bush meat and alliances with poachers.
· Establish positive relationships with communities and create lines of communication.
· Identify HWC hotspots.
· Identify villages with high association with bush-meat/ivory trade.
· Identify and prioritise villages with poor access to basic needs.
· Disseminate information on the importance of conservation and dangers of bush-meat consumption.
· Provide communities with strategies to avoid HWC.
· Provide communities with information on how to increase household income in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Once the baseline survey has been completed rangers will return to the participants each month to monitor progress, identify problems and disseminate information on improved income generation.
Aims of Community Participatory Action Research
· To establish baseline data on local attitudes to conservation, consumption of bush meat and alliances with poachers.
· Establish positive relationships with communities and create lines of communication.
· Identify HWC hotspots.
· Identify villages with high association with bush-meat/ivory trade.
· Identify and prioritise villages with poor access to basic needs.
· Disseminate information on the importance of conservation and dangers of bush-meat consumption.
· Provide communities with strategies to avoid HWC.
· Provide communities with information on how to increase household income in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Who We Work With
Our focus is on communities living near the border of the southern end of Tsavo West National Park who have a history of conflict with wildlife, and/or have previously participated in the illegal trade of bushmeat, ivory and other illegal animal by-products, charcoal burning and/or cattle grazing within the National Park, who have since made a commitment to conservation.
As well as the Rangers we also work with grassroots community based organisations (CBOs) and self help groups (SHGs) who are committed to conserving the environment, educating and building the capacity of their communities, improving access to essential needs within their communities; Thus reducing the conflict between humans and wildlife, while also reducing the impact of the communities on the surrounding area.
We require all of the organisations we work with to make their own investment in their projects. This is done by the groups or communities making either a financial or resource based contribution. Resource based contributions can be labour based or the provision of locally available Materials.
For some of our Basic Needs provision projects we will work with local village elders, churches and committees to mobilise the entire community. This approach is taken when the project is something which should directly benefit the entire community, for example, water projects, school constructions and health facilities.
As well as the Rangers we also work with grassroots community based organisations (CBOs) and self help groups (SHGs) who are committed to conserving the environment, educating and building the capacity of their communities, improving access to essential needs within their communities; Thus reducing the conflict between humans and wildlife, while also reducing the impact of the communities on the surrounding area.
We require all of the organisations we work with to make their own investment in their projects. This is done by the groups or communities making either a financial or resource based contribution. Resource based contributions can be labour based or the provision of locally available Materials.
For some of our Basic Needs provision projects we will work with local village elders, churches and committees to mobilise the entire community. This approach is taken when the project is something which should directly benefit the entire community, for example, water projects, school constructions and health facilities.
Criteria for CBO/SHG partnership:
· Groups must be registered by the Ministry of Gender and Social Services or be working towards official registration.
· Groups must be able to demonstrate that all members fully understand and agree to their constitution and by-laws and that all members have access to these documents on request.
· Groups must be willing to participate in capacity building training to improve their operational, organisational and reporting skills.
· Financial records must be made available to all members and stakeholders on request.
· Groups must prepare and submit an annual report on their activities and finances to members and stakeholders.
· Groups must submit to a yearly audit of accounts and official records once they have received training.
· Governance, transparency and accountability will be monitored on a continual basis by attendance to regular group meetings and consultations with members and the executive committees. These elements will be evaluated by Tsavo Pride during the groups annual general meeting.
Tsavo Pride will provide ongoing training and support for groups willing to commit to these criteria to ensure that they have the capacity to meet the highest standards in group management possible.
If your group is interested in working with us please contact us.
· Groups must be able to demonstrate that all members fully understand and agree to their constitution and by-laws and that all members have access to these documents on request.
· Groups must be willing to participate in capacity building training to improve their operational, organisational and reporting skills.
· Financial records must be made available to all members and stakeholders on request.
· Groups must prepare and submit an annual report on their activities and finances to members and stakeholders.
· Groups must submit to a yearly audit of accounts and official records once they have received training.
· Governance, transparency and accountability will be monitored on a continual basis by attendance to regular group meetings and consultations with members and the executive committees. These elements will be evaluated by Tsavo Pride during the groups annual general meeting.
Tsavo Pride will provide ongoing training and support for groups willing to commit to these criteria to ensure that they have the capacity to meet the highest standards in group management possible.
If your group is interested in working with us please contact us.