In collaboration with local partners, we identified vulnerable areas and conducted a survey in Matondoni village, Lamu, where traditional cookstoves are common. The survey assessed cooking needs and methods while raising awareness about the benefits of ICS for both mangroves and human wellbeing. Two cookstoves were initially set up to gather feedback from end-users over two months on their experiences, benefits, and challenges. Following this pilot, an additional 51 cookstoves were built to inform scaling efforts in other areas of Lamu.

A scoping survey was conducted along Kenya’s coast to identify efficient cookstove models, assess their sustainability, and recommend the best options for adoption. This survey provided insights into the need for cookstoves, suitable designs, and market considerations for effective community interventions.

La visión indígena de la naturaleza como un legado prestado de las generaciones futuras fomenta la sostenibilidad y el respeto por los recursos naturales.

La participación en ceremonias como las ofrendas a las deidades de montaña (hirkas) antes de los trabajos de mantenimiento ayuda a mantener el equilibrio cultural y ecológico de la región.

Según los comuneros, algunos elementos naturales (piedras, agua, tierra, troncos) que son materia prima para la arquitectura tradicional, tienen comportamientos no convencionales ante ciertas condiciones temporales o estacionales. Por ejemplo, el uso del agua en la elaboración de estructuras se encontraría vinculada con las fases de la luna: se asegura una mayor resistencia y proceso de compactación en la elaboración de la tapia o tapial durante la fase de luna llena. En esta esfera de aprendizaje recíproco con el medio natural, se establece también una relación con entidades hieráticas o espirituales que son parte o habitan en estos medios, de allí la necesidad de desarrollar diversos rituales conmemorativos para mantener el orden y la armonía con la naturaleza, los cuales forman parte de un amplio repertorio simbólico.

Las comunidades locales, incluyendo ancianos, mujeres y niños, son actores clave en la gestión y mantenimiento de los caminos incaicos, lo que fortalece la cohesión social y preserva conocimientos ancestrales, como los sistemas de drenaje y la predicción del clima.

Technological innovation is the driving force behind the development of the kiwi fruit industry. Zhouzhi County is intensifying training in orchard technologies and promoting automation across the entire production chain to advance agricultural mechanization, thereby increasing labor productivity and production efficiency. Leveraging e-commerce platforms serves as a critical means of expanding sales channels and enhancing brand recognition. Zhouzhi County should capitalize on local e-commerce conditions by collaborating with major e-commerce brands, encouraging innovative design, marketing, and brand packaging to increase brand value and add value. Additionally, hosting events like e-commerce arts festivals will fully showcase the unique strengths of Zhouzhi kiwi fruit, further boosting online sales.

To enhance the economic benefits of the kiwi fruit industry, Zhouzhi County should promote the development of standardized and large-scale production. By establishing standardized production zones, concentrating efforts on project integration and technology dissemination, Zhouzhi can build production bases centered on standardized production, commercial processing, brand marketing, and industrialized operations. This will increase the yield, quality, and economic returns of kiwi fruit. Additionally, strengthening brand building is crucial; by implementing a strategy where leading enterprises drive industrial development and managing the entire industry chain—variety, quality, and brand—in a coordinated manner, market competitiveness can be significantly enhanced.

Following the new management policy implemented by the government, many community associations and groups organised themselves and became active in raising awareness among their communities and in implementing conservation activities. These groups are active in citizen science, collecting data from several generations, in beach cleaning, seagrass replantation, plastic waste collection and upcycling.

Tourism development opportunities materialized, thanks to Mariam, the rescued baby dugong's video buzz. Native Trang province people, trained and employed in the tourism industry elsewhere in the country, came back to their hometown to open and run a homestay. They work with their relatives in the villages to provide services to their guests. These small family businesses have generated alternative incomes to local community members and helped to mitigate the conflicts related to the ban of destructive fishing gears and practices.