Partners convene in Nanyuki to begin a two-months long synthesis that will distill lessons from the Wyss Academy for Nature’s Solutionscape approach into practical tools for scaling rangeland restoration and pastoral resilience.

Researchers, conservation practitioners, government and community representatives gathered in Nanyuki on 1 and 2 April 2026 for a two-day co-creation workshop focused on synthesizing lessons for sustainable pastoralism in northern Kenya.

Convened by the Wyss Academy for Nature’s East Africa Hub, the workshop brought together partners working across Laikipia and Isiolo counties to reflect on lessons emerging from ongoing initiatives that combine ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and resilient pastoral livelihoods in arid and semi-arid lands, using the Solutionscape approach.

The workshop marked the start of a broader synthesis process aimed at turning field experience into practical guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and communities working to strengthen pastoral systems in similar landscapes. 

Since 2023, the Wyss Academy for Nature’s East Africa Hub has worked with pastoralist communities, government institutions, and partner organizations to advance solutions that support both healthy rangelands and sustainable livelihoods. The Nanyuki workshop marked an important step in bringing these experiences together and identifying approaches that can be replicated and scaled across pastoral landscapes.

Participants explored how insights from rangeland restoration initiatives, governance innovations, and community-led grazing management can be translated into practical tools and guidance materials. These outputs are expected to contribute to broader policy and knowledge discussions, including preparations linked to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism 2026.

A key theme that emerged from the discussions was that many of the challenges are not only ecological, but also social and institutional. Participants reflected on the complexities of managing shared rangelands, where livestock mobility, resource access, and community cooperation all shape the success of restoration efforts.

During discussions, Moses Nokisho noted that restoring landscapes alone is not enough if underlying social dynamics are not addressed.

Participants also highlighted the interconnected nature of pastoral landscapes, where actions in one area can affect neighboring communities and ecosystems.

“Pastoral landscapes are interconnected. When one area restores grass and water resources, livestock from other areas will naturally move there. That reality must be part of how we plan restoration and management,” added Elema Fila.

These reflections underscored the importance of governance systems, community dialogue, and coordinated land management approaches.

Another key issue raised during the workshop was the importance of land-use planning for community lands. Participants emphasized that effective land-use plans help guide settlement patterns, grazing management, and conservation activities, ensuring that pastoral landscapes remain productive and resilient.

Sam Kuraru underscored this point.

With increasing pressures from population growth, climate change, and competing land uses, such planning frameworks are becoming essential tools for sustainable landscape management.

Participants also acknowledged broader governance and security issues that affect pastoral systems in northern Kenya. Concerns such as livestock theft, insecurity, and resource competition were raised as challenges that can undermine both conservation efforts and livelihood gains.

“Even if we restore the land, without peace it becomes very difficult to monitor progress or ensure that communities benefit from those efforts,” Eunice Bosibori emphasized.

These discussions reinforced the need for integrated approaches that address environmental, social, and governance dimensions simultaneously.

The second day of the workshop focused on designing a collaborative process for synthesizing lessons from pastoralism initiatives across the region. Participants worked together to define what a successful synthesis should produce and how the resulting knowledge products could best serve practitioners and decision-makers.

Among the outputs to be developed are a toolkit or a handbook for sustainable pastoralism practices, along with training materials that can support implementation across diverse landscapes. By the end of the workshop, partners had agreed on key next steps toward delivering these products by the end of June 2026.

Beyond the technical discussions, the workshop created an important platform for collaboration among organizations and practitioners working across northern Kenya’s pastoral landscapes. By bringing together diverse perspectives from researchers and conservation practitioners to community representatives, the gathering helped build a shared understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing pastoral systems.

As climate change, land fragmentation, and economic pressures continue to reshape rangeland ecosystems, such collaborative learning platforms will play a crucial role in identifying solutions that support both ecological resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

Similarly, lessons emerging from this synthesis process aim to inform not only local initiatives in northern Kenya but also contribute to broader efforts to sustain pastoral systems across East Africa.

Text: Amanda Koech; Editing: Predrag Tripkovic.