Empowering Communities and Conservation Through Sustainable Beekeeping at Mugie Conservancy
A new grant provided by the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund will help create a robust beekeeping enterprise that will empower local women while protecting wildlife
Photo credit Silverless Photography
The Mugie Conservancy spans 49,457 acres (200.1 km²) on Kenya’s Laikipia plateau at the edge of the Great Rift Valley, and serves as a vital wildlife corridor linking West Laikipia and the Rift Valley with the Mt. Kenya highlands. Home to 60 mammal species, 350 bird species, and over 500 known plant species—including several endangered ones—Mugie is a biodiverse sanctuary critical to conservation efforts in the region.
As our community and wildlife share the same landscapes, human-wildlife conflicts often arise. These conflicts threaten local wildlife populations and endanger community safety and livelihoods. Incidents such as crop raiding and livestock predation create tension and economic losses for our residents. Simultaneously, the expansion of roads, fences, and other infrastructure fragments natural habitats, disrupts wildlife movement, and exacerbates the conservation challenges we face. These disruptions hinder the ability of species to migrate, find food, and reproduce, further stressing our local biodiversity.
To help alleviate these conflicts and improve the livelihoods of people and wildlife, The Mugie conservancy has started to engage in innovative, sustainable initiatives, such as beekeeping, recognizing the importance of bees to ecosystem health.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Moyo Foundation and Ekorian, Mugie is piloting a sustainable honey production project, featuring 20 beehives that also serve as natural barriers to deter elephants from crop areas, reducing human-wildlife conflict. This project aims to produce honey sustainably while supporting local livelihoods and promoting biodiversity.
“Mugie Conservancy’s beekeeping project seeks to empower local women and promote biodiversity while reducing human-wildlife conflict. By supporting this initiative, WildLandscapes International aims to demonstrate how conservation can drive sustainable development, fostering resilience in both the community and the landscape”
The ATCF granted $15,000 to Wildlife Landscapes on behalf of the Mugie Conservatory to purchase beehives and construct a honey extraction facility to empower local Pokot women by producing high-quality hone. This grant will increase community income, enhance biodiversity through improved pollination, and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, the facility will serve as a tourism attraction, offering visitors the chance to learn about local honey production and the culture of the Pokot community, further supporting sustainable economic development and conservation of local flora and fauna. This project is intended as a model that can be adapted and replicated in other regions, contributing to the long-term resilience and prosperity of communities similar to Mugie.
To learn more about this grant, check out this post.
