FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Contact
Lucy Waruingi, Executive Director
African Conservation Centre
lucy.waruingi@acc.or.ke
PO Box 15289-00509
Nairobi, KENYA
+254 724 441 677
+254 20 251 2439
www.accafrica-us.org
New Biodiversity Atlas of Kenya’s Natural Capital
The first Biodiversity Atlas of the Natural Capital of Kenya was launched on November 17, 2015 at a ceremony held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The Atlas project, led and coordinated by the African Conservation Centre (ACC) and commissioned by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities of the Government of Kenya, brought together national agencies, universities, non-government organizations, and academic institutions to create a detailed assessment of Kenya’s biodiversity.
“Kenya’s Natural Capital: A Biodiversity Atlas” is a richly illustrated guide to Kenya’s wealth of plant and animal life. Ranging from coral reefs to high mountain communities of Mount Kenya and from deserts and savanna grasslands to forests and Great Rift Valley lakes, the tapestry of Kenya’s habitats ranks it among the richest vertebrate regions on earth. The Atlas shows how Kenya’s varied landscapes and climate have shaped biodiversity, ecosystems, cultures and livelihoods. It also documents the threats to species, habitats and natural resources, the conservation steps Kenya has taken to protect biodiversity and the gaps that remain.
In her address to stakeholders at the launch ceremony, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities, Prof. Judi Wakhungu stated that “Kenya is endowed with a wealth of natural capital that forms the basis of the country’s social-economic development and the Atlas will provide the government, Kenyans and the global community with a comprehensive source of up to date data, policy and relevant information on Kenya’s Natural Capital.”
ACC’s executive director Lucy Waruingi and chairman Dr. David Western with CS, Prof. Judi Wakhungu.
The Atlas also points the way ahead for an integrated conservation framework based on auditing natural capital to meet Kenya’s Vision 2030 for a green economy. Written for schools, universities, the public at large, government and private sector planners and managers, the Atlas will be reproduced in open access electronic form and will be continuously updated and expanded. It is envisaged the Atlas will be a living product to underpin the national development and sustainable use of Kenya’s natural capital.
ACC’s executive director Lucy Waruingi and chairman Dr. David Western with CS, Prof. Judi Wakhungu and stakeholders involved in developing the Atlas.
About ACC US
Established in 2014, African Conservation Centre US (ACC-US) exists to provide support for the African Conservation Centre (ACC) in Kenya and other community-based wildlife conservation initiatives in Africa. Founded by Dr. David Western and a committed group of board members, ACC-US raises, administers, and grants funds and resources for ACC and other charitable organizations and programs that link science, conservation and people to sustain biodiversity.
About ACC
African Conservation Centre’s mission is to conserve biodiversity in East Africa and beyond through the collaborative application of scientific and indigenous knowledge, improved livelihoods and good governance through development of local institutions.
