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Commonwealth NGOs
related to forestry | | |
 Friends of Conservation Kenya
Kenya
Email: focinfo@aol.com
Website: www.foc-uk.com/about.asp
Type: NGO
Scope: local
Interest in Forestry: peripheral
Description
Conservation Issue: The wildlife of East Africa is an essential and irreplaceable part of our
global heritage but it faces increasing risk as a result of growing demand for land, food and modern
development. FOC takes a pro-active role in protecting endangered species and their eco-systems and
working with all parties to promote conservation.
FOCs fieldwork is currently managed from three Community Conservation Centre areas surrounding the Masai
Mara National Reserve.
Through these centres, FOC works to promote a balance between the needs of local people and those of
the wildlife with which they share their habitat and environment. Increasing pressures on the
Masai Mara threatens many species of wildlife as well as the habitat they rely on to survive.
Wildlife: Wildlife management has always been the keynote of FOCs work. Our flagship wildlife
monitoring and protection programme was instigated in 1982 when rhino numbers in the Masai Mara
were at an all time low. The programme was very successful and now exists through the Masai Maras management
body.
FOC is also involved in and raises funds for: anti-poaching activities, veterinary support and mammal
censuses programmes which we carry out with in partnership with local organisations.
Habitat: One of FOCs main campaigns on the Masai Mara is the FOC Environmental Management campaign where
the emphasis is placed on finding practical applications and management solutions
for land, wildlife, water, forests and other natural resources that are under pressure in the areas
surrounding the Masai Mara.
Community: FOC began working with communities in early 1990 when it became apparent that there
was little conservation and environmental assistance available for the Maasai surrounding the
Reserve. The Maasai who had been pastoralist up until the 1960s, were realising the difficulties and
pressures placed on an environment when long term settlement occurred. FOC therefore
developed an Environmental Management and Education campaign to assist local communities in conserving
their land, wildlife and natural resources. FOCs work currently includes educating and
training local communities; both adults and school children in utilising their environment as a natural,
renewable resource for economic benefit.
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