Strengthening Conservation Through Knowledge Management and Exchange: PANORAMA at the SOS African Wildlife Initiative in Nairobi

A key feature of the workshop was hands-on “write-shop” introducing participants to PANORAMA “Solutions for a Healthy Planet” methodology. The workshop focused on documenting lessons learned from implementing SOS AWI grants while fostering peer-to-peer learning and exchanging best practices in African wildlife conservation. Building on a prior virtual orientation, participants deepened their understanding of PANORAMA’s benefits, methodology, solution case study template, and submission workflow.

Participants were directed through hands-on recording of “Snapshot Solutions,” which were grounded in PANORAMA’s proven approach. Group peer-review exercises further enriched the documenting of solutions and learning experience, ensuring robust and practical outcomes for the solutions being captured.

The workshop also included a field visit aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of community-based conservation solutions. The PANORAMA team visited the Maasai Mara region in Kenya’s South Rift Valley. Hosted by the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO), a community-based organization uniting 16 Maasai communities, the visit provided a first-hand look at community-led biodiversity conservation.

Participants engaged with local leaders and SORALO rangers, gaining insights into innovative approaches to human-wildlife coexistence and landscape management. The visit also included practical training on emergency responses to human-wildlife conflict, emphasizing the critical role of local knowledge and community-driven solutions.

The workshop’s efforts culminated in 38 new “Snapshot Solutions” that will be published on the PANORAMA web platform, enriching an existing global repository of over 1,500 solutions. These contributions not only expand the global knowledge base but also foster peer-to-peer learning, enabling the scaling and replication of successful practices in both Africa and globally.

The workshop outcome aligns with global conservation goals, particularly the implementation of African nations’ National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and meeting targets under the Kumming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). By documenting and sharing best practices in wildlife and ecosystem conservation, the initiative aims to strengthen conservation efforts across the continent.

Other PANORAMA initiatives

1. Awards- Final call to submit your solutions for the Tech4Nature Award
2. Recent Solutions in focus- A role-playing game for land use planning and conflict resolution

Other resources related to this initiative  

Celebrating conservation successes: lessons learned from the SOS African Wildlife initiative workshop in Nairobi - IUCN SOS