SUMMIT The Maasai Mara – a research and development challenge for the next 20 years

When 22.‐23. April 2015

Where Maasai Mara University, Narok,

Participants This first Summit is a by‐invitation‐only conference.

Founding members of the Maasai Mara Science and Development Action.

Researchers from University of , Maasai Mara University, Aarhus University (Denmark) and Justus‐Liebig‐ Universität Giessen (Germany).

Maasai Mara stakeholders from maasai community, international organisations, government, local authorities, conservancies and business.

Accomodation: Hotel Four Seasons, Narok http://www.seasonshotelskenya.com/seasons‐hotel‐ narok

The Maasai Mara Science and Development Action The Summit is organized and financed by The Maasai Mara Science and Development Action (MMSDA. The Action is an initiative founded in 2014 by the and the Maasai Mara University, Kenya, Aarhus University in Denmark, Justus Liebig‐Universität Giessen, Germany, the Karen Blixen Camp Ltd., the Mara Rianda Community (Maasai Mara) and other stakeholders.

The MMSDA is an interdisciplinary research platform and a Public‐Private partnership to save and develop the unique ecosystem of the Maasai Mara.

It is a our ambition to build a 20 year research and development program, which links the local community with research institutions to ensure that the research outcomes are well utilized, works with the private sector and creates measurable and visible impact that improves the status of Maasai Mara as the 7th Wonder of the world.

The aim of the Summit The aim of the Summit is to present and discuss the vision of ”The Masai Mara – a research challenge for the next 20 years” and get input to the design of a large research and development initiative via:

o presentations of the challenges of the Masai Mara (research, national and local government, ICPAC, conservancies, maasai community)

o cases of research and research programs helping solve conservation challenges

o inputs from foundations and public funders.

Workshop to develop the 20 year research program After the Summit the founding group of the Maasai Mara Science and Development Action will travel to Mara North to experience the challenges of the Mara first hand and to develop a proposal for a 20 year reserch and development program.

The workshop will go on from 23. April (bus from Narok to Karen Blixen camp 5‐ 7 AM) till lunch 25. April (app. 1 AM).

White Paper and research proposal A white paper describing the challenges of the Maasai Mara and recommendations for future research and development activitites will be produced based on paper abstracts, presentations from the SUMMIT and conclusions from discussions and panel debates. The Board of the Maasai Mara Science and Development Action will be editorial group for this white paper that will be distributed to governmental bodies, international organisations and foundations after the summit. Deadline for the white paper is 1. May 2015.

The Maasai Mara: A Research and Development Challenge for the next 20 years

PROGRAM

21.04.2015 6 PM Reception at the hotel with snack and a drink, registration.

22.04.2015

8.00‐8.30 Morning Coffeee/tea

8.30‐8.45 Welcome Professor Mary K. Walingo, Vice‐Chancellor, Maasai Mara University

8.45‐9.30

The Maasai Mara: A Research Challenge for the next 20 years. Visions and Aims of this conference (panel) The Maasai Mara Science and Development Action (5 minutes each – presenting the people behind this initiative)  Professor Richard Odingo, University of Nairobi  Dr. Alice Odingo, University of Nairobi  Professor Tabitha Sewe, Maasai Mara University  Professor Børge Obel, Aarhus University  Dr. Rainer Hospes, Justus‐Liebig‐ Universität Giessen  Jesper Stagegaard, Karen Blixen Camp Ltd, Mara North  David Noosaron, Mara Rianda Community  Pernille Kallehave, Aarhus University

9.30‐10.15 UNEP VP Key‐note (to be confirmed)

10.15‐10.30 Healthbreak

The political, legal and and economic framework of the Mara and challenges

10.30‐11.00 Environmental Costs and Opportunities of agricultural modernization in Arid and Semi‐arid areas Ms. Rose Mwangi ??

11.00‐11.30 Narok Governor (to be confirmed)

The perspectives of the challenges from the maasais, the turism industry and the conservancies

11.30‐12.30 Representatives of  the maasai landowners (to be confirmed)  the turism industry/camps (to be confirmed)  the conservancies (to be confirmed)

12.30‐1.30 PM Lunch

Scientific perspectives and suggestions on how research can contribute

1.30‐1.50 Climate change and the survival of Maasai Mara Ecosystem Prof. Richard Odingo, University of Nairobi

1.50‐2.10

Organization audit and design of the collaborative community of Maasai Mara Professor Børge Obel, Interdisciplinary Centre for Organizational Architecture, Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University

2.10‐2.30 Policy implications in the conservation of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and the Mau forest complex in Kenya:Challenges and opportunities Dr Jepkemboi R.Choge PhD, Maasai Mara University

2.30‐2.50 How farm‐animal may support wildlife conservation and social development PD Dr. Rainer Hospes (presenting), Prof. C. Hermosilla, Prof. Dr. A Wehrend, Prof. Dr. M. Lierz Justus‐Liebig‐University Giessen, Germany, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

2.50‐3.10 Maasai Mara Land tenure, Land use, Land use change and forestry Dr. Gordon Wayumba, University of Nairobi

3.10‐3.30 Population threat to tourism and development in Maasai Mara Prof Elias H. O. Ayiemba, University of Nairobi

3.30‐4.00 Short break

4.00‐5.00 Plenary Discussion part 1 (moderator: Jesper Stagegaard, Karen Blixen Camp) Thougts on how we can work together in a research and development intiative to save and develop the Maasai Mara.

5.00‐6.00 A lively student perspective of the future of the Maasai Mara Drinks and networking

8‐10 Dinner with academic or local keynote.

23.04.15

8.00‐8.30 Morning tea/coffee, a little bread Conclusions from day 1

8.30‐9.00 EU Commission in Kenya (to be confirmed)

9.00‐9.30 A NGO perspective (to be confirmed)

9.30‐10.00 Kenya Wildlife Service (to be confirmed)

10.00‐10.30 Health break

Scientific perspectives and suggestions on how research can contribute

10.30‐10.50 Effectiveness of community relations strategies in conservation of Maasai Mara and Mau Ecosystems in Kenya Professor Mary Walingo PhD, Maasai Mara University

10.50‐11.10 Ecological challenges and opportunities in the Anthropocene Professor Jens‐Christian Svenning, PhD, Aarhus University

11.10‐11.30 Energy systems/dynamics in Narok County Dr. Christopher Oludhe, University of Nairobi

11.30‐11.50 Ethnoecology in a changing World Professor Henrik Balslev R., PhD, Dr. h.c, FLS, Aarhus University

11.50‐12.30 Lunch

12.30‐12.50 Interrogating previous research studies in the restoration of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and the Mau forest complex Professor Tabitha Sewe PhD, Maasai Mara University

12.50‐1.10 Long‐term research, conservation and sustainability in protected areas Peter C. Kjærgaard, PhD, Professor of Evolutionary Studies & Director of Centre for Biocultural History, Jess Hartel, Post Doc, Centre for Biocultural History, Aarhus University

1.10‐1.30 Gender Implications of Community participation, tourism and development in the Maasai Mara Dr, Alice Odingo, University of Nairobi

1.30‐1.50 Exploring online eco‐linguistic communication strategies on conservation of Maasai Mara and Mau forest complex Mr Khadoi Isalambo

1.50‐2.15 Healthbreak

2.15‐4.00 Plenary discussion (moderator to be confirmed) Maasai Mara – a research and development challenge of the next 20 years. Sum‐um of the Summit and next step.

End of official Summit.

4.30 – Departure for Mara North, Karen Blixen Camp 24.‐25. April: workshop (White Paper and Research Program Proposal, Board meeting and next step plan. Presentations and game drives to experience the Mara).