Greater Lake Natron
WHERE WE WORK
Bordering Kenya and framed by Ol Donyo Lengai, the Greater Lake Natron landscape represents a critical ecosystem currently experiencing significant stress. This arid region supports zebras, giraffes, lions, and leopards, as well as pastoralist communities that are increasingly affected by drought and habitat degradation.
In partnership with local villages, regional collaborators, and WWF UK, the multi-year Land for Life project enables African People & Wildlife to deliver substantial support to the region by addressing climate change, grassland health, and sustainable livelihoods. Looking forward, APW is committed to promoting coexistence, resilience, and ecological restoration across the region.
Through African People & Wildlife, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has seen impactful efforts to ensure that pastoral livelihoods and rangeland management are improved by building educational capacity as well as assisting in implementing projects to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Alfred Mushy, Senior Range Management Officer, Directorate of Grazing Land and Animal Feed Resources
On the Ground in Greater Lake Natron
Transboundary Collaboration
The Land for Life project encompassed 8,890 square kilometers across southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, connecting key wildlife corridors between the Serengeti-Mara and Kilimanjaro-Amboseli ecosystems. APW, WWF, SORALO, and 20 communities in Longido District worked together on this effort.
In the process, APW and SORALO integrated our data systems to establish one of Africa’s largest cross-border human-wildlife conflict datasets. This platform continues to inform rapid response efforts and long-term strategic planning.
Restoring Rangelands Together
Through Land for Life, APW has collaborated with hundreds of community members to remove invasive species, restore water sources, and enhance grazing management plans. As of 2025, these initiatives integrated traditional knowledge with contemporary techniques, restoring over 1,300 acres of pastureland.
Regular stakeholder meetings, coordination with grazing committees, and open dialogue with ward and district officials have reinforced rangeland conservation efforts. These measures continue to foster the development of shared strategies for land use and dryland habitat restoration.
From Retaliation to Peaceful Resolution
Human-Wildlife Coexistence Officers operate within local communities as the frontlines of conflict response and prevention. Their responsibilities include reporting conflict incidents, reinforcing bomas, and de-escalating retaliatory actions against carnivores. These officers, recruited from the villages they serve, contribute to the prevention of over $1.3 million in potential livestock losses.
Over the last three years, large carnivore attacks on livestock at pasture have decreased by 42%, while attempted retaliatory killings declined by 84%. These outcomes indicate a significant increase in tolerance throughout the landscape.
Climate-Smart Action
Climate change has exacerbated drought and soil erosion throughout the region. Since 2022, communities have filled 40 gullies and planted nearly 30,000 trees using Living Wall installations. These actions have resulted in stronger bomas, improved vegetation cover, and enhanced water retention.
To date, 262 new Living Walls in the Lake Natron area protect nearly 38,000 livestock and benefit over 3,300 people. Collectively, these interventions contribute to increased safety, improved ecosystem health, and enhanced community resilience.
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