The natural resource sector in Kenya is governed by a complex web of laws and policies that directly impact community lifestyles and livelihoods. However, many community members lack knowledge of these laws, leading to confusion, especially when different government departments enforce contradictory regulations. 

NACOFA has taken on the responsibility of informing and educating communities about the relevant laws that affect them. By doing so, NACOFA helps protect communities from unwarranted actions by government officers. An example is the development and implementation of Participatory Forest Management Plans (PFMPs) and Forest Management Agreements (FMAs). Despite these agreements being signed between KFS and various CFAs, there are instances where KFS fails to honor the commitments, making community awareness critical for accountability.

Policy formulation and development is a complex, time-consuming process requiring support from communities, government, politicians, external partners, and the public, including investors and beneficiaries. It demands patience and flexibility, often facing resistance from those benefiting from current policies.

NACOFA's experiences highlight these challenges. Developing the Forest Act 2005 and revising it to the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 each took four years. The Forest Incentives and Benefit Sharing Regulations have been stalled for 14 years, and the Natural Resources and Benefit Sharing Bill has been in Parliament since 2014. These critical policies, essential for ensuring community benefits from conservation efforts, face significant delays due to competing interests.

NACOFA has learned that patience and adaptability are crucial in policy formulation. This process often begins with a community's need to address environmental challenges and aims to tackle root causes, ensuring a stable supply of environmental goods and services for future generations. It must align with current political directions, national and global commitments, and garner stakeholder support.

NACOFA has also faced challenges implementing Transition Implementation Plans (TIPs) at the county level, providing opportunities to address these issues through county-specific NRM bylaws, forest management plans, capacity building, and guidelines for conserving fragile ecosystems and developing nature-based enterprises.

Stakeholder mapping involves reviewing the diverse interests of stakeholders across various sectors at both local and national levels. This process should be as comprehensive as possible, mapping out existing influence and power structures to determine who to engage directly or indirectly. Prior to stakeholder mapping, a thorough analysis of existing policies is conducted to fully understand the issues and why they matter to the community. This understanding then informs the stakeholder mapping activity, making it clearer who to engage with.

The first step involves identifying local environmental challenges at the community level, such as water shortages, diminishing grazing areas, food scarcity, soil erosion, landslides, or flooding. NACOFA gathers community input on possible solutions and explores the links between these challenges and forest or environmental degradation.

Next, NACOFA studies the existing laws and policies that could address these issues, identifying any gaps, or determining if enhanced implementation or enforcement is needed. This process allows NACOFA to pinpoint the responsible government institutions, key officials, CSOs, partners, and community groups to collaborate with.

This building block focuses on refining the techniques for propagating Red Pod Terminalia (T. brownii) and ensuring stakeholder engagement throughout the process. Identifying and involving relevant stakeholders—ranging from local communities to research institutions—was key to the successful planning, implementation, and dissemination of results.

Effective seed extraction is vital for successful propagation. T. brownii fruits have a distinct structure, with the seed located more broadly at the proximal end. To extract the seed without damaging it, incisions are carefully made on either side of the fruit near the proximal end using hand secateurs. The distal and proximal sides are then gently pulled apart, revealing the seed, which can be removed intact. Avoid making cuts near the distal end, as this can cause the seed to break during extraction. Properly handling and processing seeds significantly improves germination rates, contributing to the species' successful propagation and conservation efforts.

The Red Pod Terminalia (Terminalia brownii) plays a crucial role in improving alternative livelihoods for dryland communities by providing essential resources and environmental benefits. This tree is a vital source of firewood and charcoal in regions with limited energy options. Additionally, it produces non-timber forest products, including medicinal compounds and honey, which can be sold for income. Its leaves and pods serve as valuable animal fodder, especially during dry seasons, and the tree offers shade, shelter, and erosion control, thereby enhancing land productivity. By integrating T. brownii into agroforestry systems, farmers can diversify their crops and reduce risks. The tree's carbon sequestration potential also opens opportunities for participation in carbon trading schemes, providing another income stream.

Involvement in T. brownii propagation and conservation fosters partnerships with research institutions and NGOs, offering training and capacity-building for community members. This knowledge not only supports sustainable practices but also boosts overall community resilience by equipping individuals with skills applicable to various aspects of life.

This building block focuses on identifying and utilizing climate-resilient tree species, particularly the Red Pod Terminalia (T. brownii), in dryland restoration efforts. Extensive research has shown T. brownii’s exceptional survival rate and growth potential in arid regions. A screening trial in Baringo, Kenya, demonstrated a 97% survival rate for T. brownii within two years, outperforming other indigenous and Australian Acacia species. These promising results highlight T. brownii's suitability for dryland restoration, making it a prime candidate for combating deforestation and climate change in Kenya's drylands. Our goal is to scale up the use of T. brownii and other drought-resistant species to enhance reforestation efforts. The research also explored effective seedling production and improved germination techniques to ensure the successful establishment of these trees in harsh environments.