Integrated Wetland Management for Increased Biomass Production and Water

Lorenz Zeller identifying opuntia distribution in the landscape, Laikipia, Kenya
Lorenz Zeller identifying opuntia distribution in the landscape, Laikipia, Kenya / Photo: Fiona Stappmanns

Integrated Wetland Management for Increased Biomass Production and Water

  • Our Objective

    Restoring and sustainably managing the Gambella wetland to enhance its ecological integrity, biomass production, and water retention capacity for the communities and wildlife that depend on it.

  • Figures

    The project was launched on March 17, 2022 and is currently in progress.

Summary

The Gambella wetland faces mounting pressures. Invasive species, degraded rangelands, unsustainable grazing, and limited community engagement have reduced its functionality and diminished water availability for people and wildlife alike.  This project takes a holistic approach to restoration, combining sustainable land management (SLM) practices with targeted interventions to map and control invasive species such as Prosopis and Opuntia. Grazing management is strengthened through multi-level stakeholder coordination, ensuring that local communities are active participants in shaping how shared resources are used.  By 2028, the project aims to restore wetland biodiversity, improve spring water discharge, increase pasture and fodder availability, and promote widespread adoption of conservation agriculture. The goal is a resilient, well-governed wetland ecosystem that can support productive landscapes and sustainable livelihoods for the communities that depend on it. 

Project Connections

Timeline

  • Youth-led tree nurseries for restoring the Gambella Wetland

    Project Update January 26, 2026

    Led by the Enlite Youth Group from Gambella, a youth-managed tree nursery is playing a key role in restoring the Gambella Wetland in Meru County, Kenya. By producing native seedlings for wetland and landscape rehabilitation, the nursery links restoration with income for young people, who are earning from seedling sales while building practical conservation skills.The Gambella Wetland sits between the water-rich Mount Kenya highlands and the arid lowlands. It is a dry-season refuge for wildlife, pastoralists, and farming communities. In recent years, rapid land-use change and groundwater abstraction have strained this fragile system, reducing water availability and intensifying competition among users.Situated between the water-rich highlands of Mount Kenya and the arid lowlands, the Gambella Wetland is a critical source of water for wildlife, pastoralists, and farming communities—especially during dry seasons. Rapid land-use change and increased groundwater extraction have placed growing pressure on this fragile ecosystem, threatening water availability for both people and nature.By linking youth leadership, tree nurseries, and wetland restoration, the initiative strengthens local ownership, builds conservation skills, and supports long-term ecosystem recovery. Implemented by CETRAD in partnership with the Wyss Academy for Nature, and in collaboration with local communities, Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs), and government institutions, the project demonstrates how nature-based solutions can deliver lasting ecological and socio-economic benefits.Watch to see how youth-led action is helping restore the Gambella Wetland while creating opportunities for the next generation.

    Enlite youth group, working in the tree nurseries

  • Empowering youth to take part in wetland protection

    Project Update January 12, 2025

    Map of Gambella Wetlands

Team

  • Caroline Ouko
    Project Lead | Email: c.ouko@cetrad.org

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