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Kenya’s first-ever Community-Led Conservation Conference
Community-Led Conservation (CLC) is a transformative approach in which local communities are not just beneficiaries of conservation, but its primary decision-makers, planners and leaders. Unlike traditional models that often consult communities at the margins, CLC places people living alongside wildlife at the very centre of conservation planning, implementation and governance, recognising that they hold the deepest knowledge and the greatest stake in protecting nature. By elevating local leadership, CLC seeks conservation outcomes that are more inclusive, effective and lasting, while supporting resilient livelihoods and cultural identities.
This shift is especially important given the history of conservation in many parts of the world, where protected areas were created without the consent or involvement of neighbouring communities, leading to exclusion, rights violations and the sidelining of Indigenous knowledge. Even as approaches have evolved, the biodiversity crisis continues, and research increasingly shows that community-led models are critical for balancing sustainable resource management, human well-being and long-term protection of wildlife and ecosystems.
Kenya’s first-ever Community-Led Conservation Conference will bring together community leaders, conservation practitioners, policymakers and partners to shape a future where conservation is led from the ground up.
Hosted by Ewaso Lions, with guidance from a Steering Committee including the Living Earth Alliance, Conserveability Pathways, Zoological Society of London and Adaeze Africa Group, the conference centres the voices of those living alongside wildlife. Rooted in nearly two decades of community-led approaches in northern Kenya and informed by local and global partners, it will showcase practical pathways for putting communities at the heart of conservation planning, decision-making and governance. The event is made possible through the support of partners and donors including Management Skills for Wildlife Conservation, Save the Elephants, Pride Lion Conservation Alliance, National Geographic, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Forward Consulting and others.
2nd - 6th November 2026 at Brackenhurst Conference Centre in Limuru, Kenya
The CLC Framework being shared at this conference has grown from work in Samburu, northern Kenya, led by Ewaso Lions together with Samburu community leaders. Flagship programmes such as Warrior Watch and Mama Simba demonstrate how warriors and women have become conservation leaders while maintaining and celebrating their cultural roles, helping communities to continue to coexist with lions and recover key habitat. The framework is now being refined through participatory dialogues, programme evaluations and global exchanges to ensure it reflects community priorities and offers practical tools for others to adapt.
The Community-Led Conservation Conference, to be held 2–6 November 2026 at Brackenhurst Conference Centre in Limuru, Kenya, is a key milestone in this journey. The event will convene around 200 participants from across Kenya, East Africa and the world, bringing together community representatives, conservation practitioners, government officials, donors and researchers to explore the CLC Framework, share case studies and co-design next steps for scaling community-led approaches.
To ensure inclusive participation, conference sessions will be translated into Maa (Samburu and Maasai), Swahili, Portuguese and Spanish.
Brackenhurst is a scenic, eco-conscious conference and retreat centre set among tea fields and indigenous forest in Limuru, Kiambu County, approximately 30 km north-west of Nairobi and around 45 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Its serene atmosphere, cool highland climate and lush surroundings make it a fitting setting for a nature-focused gathering. There will be a dedicated space to display posters and materials about your community or organisation, and you are warmly encouraged to bring resources to share.
Across plenary sessions, practical workshops and peer-learning spaces, participants will engage with actionable guidance, training resources and real-world examples of communities leading conservation on their own terms. The conference is part of a broader vision that includes launching the CLC Framework in Samburu, piloting it with partners in multiple countries and establishing a dedicated CLC Training Centre in Samburu to support practitioners globally. By joining this gathering, you become part of a growing movement working to ensure that conservation is not only about protecting wildlife and landscapes, but also about leadership and dignity for the communities who call these places home.
Attendees are encouraged to book accommodation either at Brackenhurst where the conference is being held or the Amoria Hotel where transport will be provided to and from Brackenhurst.
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Funded in part by the National Geographic Society and others:
