Across northern Kenya, young pastoralists who traditionally herd livestock are now leading land restoration efforts—digging thousands of semicircular bunds to revive exhausted grazing land and rebuild soil health. Working with local coalitions and county governments, they are helping secure key wildlife and livestock corridors while documenting vital water points and pasture areas to guide spatial planning decisions.

These efforts are supported by eco-enterprise activities that create new income streams without degrading the land. Women and youth groups develop business models that protect resources while supporting local livelihoods—including sustainable harvesting, beekeeping, and native seed banks. Traditional knowledge and scientific research inform both approaches, helping to build more equitable and productive rangelands.

Monitoring data from restored sites already shows encouraging results: bund areas have recorded significantly higher biomass than untreated plots, and increased wildlife activity has been observed in restored areas. These findings are shaping where restoration efforts are extended and where corridor measures are most needed—connecting evidence directly to decisions on the ground.