Rangeland restoration through community engagement: The LISTEN project

The LISTEN project, a pioneering initiative funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya and implemented by SNV, AGRA and the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), has made significant progress in restoring degraded rangelands. Central to this effort is the use of digitisation and Earth Observation technology to monitor and track restoration and regeneration activities in Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu counties. Using an interactive platform, the project seamlessly integrates real-time data with user-friendly interfaces, enabling effective monitoring of key interventions such as rangeland restoration.

A core component of the LISTEN project is its participatory approach, which actively involves local communities at every stage of the restoration process. This includes reseeding, participatory resource mapping and the development of grazing and business plans. The project has worked closely with established community structures, such as grazing committees, which have played a key role in decision-making and coordinating restoration activities. These committees not only facilitate smoother implementation, but also build trust and enhance the community's understanding of rangeland management, ensuring that the lessons learned are applied well beyond the life of the project.

As a result of these collaborative efforts, 470 hectares of rangeland have been rehabilitated through reseeding initiatives and the establishment of seasonal grazing areas. The community has been trained in sustainable grazing techniques and regenerative land management practices. Controlled grazing through carefully designed grazing plans has resulted in improved pasture regeneration, benefiting local pastoralists with better access to pasture for young livestock and dairy herds. It has also improved manure application and seed dispersal, contributing to healthier and more resilient rangelands.

The governance structures established by the LISTEN project have also been instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability of these efforts. The rangeland management policies developed in Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu counties now integrate climate change considerations and support sustainable land use practices. These policy frameworks, which include the establishment of rangeland management institutions and the drafting of supporting legislation, have been validated through county Technical Working Groups (TWGs). By promoting these governance frameworks, the project has strengthened local capacity to manage rangeland resources effectively, ensuring that these critical ecosystems are safeguarded for future generations.

Throughout the project, several key lessons have emerged:

• Ongoing capacity building is essential to ensure the lasting impact of new knowledge and practices. Engaging communities in restoration efforts, harnessing local knowledge and promoting education are critical to sustainable land management.

• Community ownership is crucial to the success of rangeland restoration. Empowering local stakeholders to take responsibility for land use planning promotes long-term resilience.

• Given the expansive nature of rangelands in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), partnerships across sectors and institutions are necessary to achieve meaningful restoration and long-term sustainability.

• Staff turnover in county governments can delay policy formulation, adoption and implementation, highlighting the need for sustained engagement and advocacy to sustain progress.

By harnessing the power of Earth observation, the LISTEN project has been able to visually track the restoration process by comparing snapshots taken before reseeding (May 2022), during reseeding (May 2023), and after reseeding (May 2024). This longitudinal data analysis provides critical insights into the effectiveness of reseeding efforts, helping to identify areas of success and those that require further intervention. Such insights are invaluable for both short-term restoration efforts and long-term planning, ultimately strengthening ecosystem resilience and promoting sustainable land management practices in these vital rangelands.

In a world where climate change and environmental degradation pose increasing challenges, the LISTEN Project models how digital tools and community engagement can drive positive change in rangeland ecosystems.