in keeping wildlife within park boundaries. By ensuring reliable water inside the park, the intervention reduced wildlife incursions into surrounding farmlands, lowering the risk of crop damage and easing tensions between communities and wildlife. Building on this approach, AWF plans to rehabilitate eight boreholes in 2026 to improve access to clean water for neighbouring communities— reducing competition over scarce resources and reinforcing coexistence beyond park borders.
Stronger Community Institutions, Faster Conflict Response
Infrastructure alone cannot prevent conflict. Effective coexistence also depends on trusted local institutions and credible response systems. In 2025, AWF strengthened Community Wildlife Associations through leadership elections and induction processes, engaging 96 participants, including local leaders and civil society
representatives in Lokori and Lobalangit subcounties. AWF also trained and fully equipped 80 community wildlife scouts, providing deterrent tools and deploying 90 Roman candles in identified conflict hotspots. These measures contributed to reported reductions in crop raiding of up to 75 percent in targeted areas— demonstrating that when communities are empowered with skills and tools, they can protect livelihoods without resorting to retaliatory actions. In 2026, AWF will expand these community-led mitigation systems, prioritising early warning, safe response options, and closer coordination with UWA and district authorities.
Regenerative Livelihoods That Reduce Pressure on Land
Sustainable conservation is easier to maintain when households can earn a living without degrading ecosystems. Through Conservation International’ s Regenerative Fund for Nature, AWF advanced a regenerative cotton initiative by distributing organic seed to 2,280 farmers, resulting in 3,798 acres under cultivation.
Adoption of regenerative practices— such as agroforestry, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration( FMNR), and soil and water conservation— averaged 55 percent. This uptake reflects more than technical success; it shows that farmers are willing to invest in practices that restore land when they see clear economic and practical benefits. In 2026, AWF will deepen this work by strengthening learning systems, tracking outcomes, and promoting farmer-to-farmer mentorship to encourage wider adoption based on performance and relevance.
Cotton farmers Victor Bari and Hellen Nakwang ' celebrating the harvest on their farms.
18 OMOJOY TOURIST PRODUCTS