From the Chairman Revised Nature Kenya strategy We are now more than half-way through our four-year strategic plan (which runs from 1999-2002). Last December we held a weekend workshop to look at progress so far (generally good) and review our planned activities. The result was a revised strategy for 2001-2002. This has now been approved by the Executive Committee. The aim of the East Africa Natural History Society remains to promote the study of natural history, and conservation of the natural environment, in eastern Africa. In Kenya, the 'headline' mission of Nature Kenya is action for biodiversity conservation. In pursuing this mission, we are trying to: • build a strong constituency for conservation across the country enhance knowledge of Kenya's biodiversity advocate policies favourable to biodiversity conservation • promote conservation of key species, sites, and habitats • encourage community participation in conservation through promotion of sustainable benefits For the present four-year plan, our overall goal is to enhance the conservation of biodiversity in Kenya. More immediately, we are working to establish Nature Kenya as a strong, independent, signif icant contributor to the conservation of biodiversity in Kenya. Our work from 1999-2002 should achieve the following results: 1 General public's understanding of biodiversity improved 2 Biodiversity priorities identified, studied, documented and disseminated 3 Nature Kenya's influence on decisions affecting biodiversity increased 4 Action for protection of key species, sites, and habitats specified and initiated 5 Nature Kenya membership increased and broadened 6 Basic operating costs covered by diversified, sustainable funding sources 91 ST AHWAl^ 6?i£-NE>RAL- M^-TINC^ EAST AFRICA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY & (Nature/Ce/rya) Monday 14 May 2001 at 5:30 pm at the Louis Leakey M. Hall, National Museum, Nairobi *■*-*★■*★★***★*★★★★★★*★★★*★★★*★ This year, the AGM will feature presentations by all of Nature Kenya's Committees and Projects, describing their activities and accomplishments. Come and see Nature Kenya in its many manifestations! 7 Effectiveness and efficiency of Nature Kenya management and administration enhanced For each of these results, the plan sets out specific activities that we need to carry out. It also lists indicators that we need to measure to see whether we have achieved our expectations. The revised plan gives us focus and direction, and redirects efforts to some areas where progress has been slower than hoped. Members are welcome to read it in the Nature Kenya office, or to request a copy (we will need to make a small charge for photocopying). Administrative restructuring As the scale and complexity of Nature Kenya's activities continue to expand, we have to adapt our structures to keep pace and make sure that the Society works effectively. The departure of our Executive Officer, Philip Adolwa, for the USA last November prompted a re-examination of who does what in Nature Kenya. The Executive Committee decided that it was time to create a new management structure that would make responsibilities clearer, create room for further growth and make operations more effective. Continued on page 2 Action for Biodiversity Conservation NATURE KENYA, P. O. Box 44486, 00100 Nairobi. Tel: 749957 / 746090 Fax: 741049 E-mail: eanhs@cfricaonline.co.ke 1 WOK-KSH-OF 7 RESPONDING TO THE ASIAN VULTURE CRISIS: A WORKSHOP TO SET PRIORITIES FOR VULTURE MONITORING AND CONSERVATION IN KENYA In the last few years, a serious conservation crisis has emerged among vulture species in Asia. Populations of Gyps vultures have crashed dramatically in a remarkably short time. The cause is not yet known, but an unidentified infectious disease seems likely. Sick birds 'droop' and soon after die. So far, vultures in Africa have been spared. If the problem does spread to Africa, as seems likely, we need to be prepared to recognise it and deal with it. In the meantime, our vultures also face many other serious threats, ranging from incidental poisoning to loss of habitat and nest sites. Two East African vulture species are now listed for the first time as Globally Threatened. As a first step in tackling these issues, the Peregrine Fund, Nature Kenya and the Ornithology Department, NMK. are organising a vulture seminar and workshop on 10 May 2001, from 09:00- 18:00. The meeting will inform participants about the Asian vulture crisis and current responses in the region, and outline a strategy and action plan for vulture monitoring and conservation in Kenya. Continued from page 1 The new structure consists of a management team headed by an Executive Director. There are, in effect, three main units: the conservation programme, headed by Solomon Mwangi, membership services, headed by Catherine Ngarachu, and administration and development, headed by Elizabeth Maloba. Paul Matiku, our new Executive Director, has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the team and keeping work on track in line with the strategic plan. Matiku also continues a strong technical input into our programme of conservation advocacy and action. As well as re-designations, the last quarter has seen some changes in personnel. We warmly welcome Elizabeth Maloba as Administration and Development Manager. TBA/Nature Kenya Project Officer Anthony Kuria left in January to begin an MSc course in Conservation Biology at Cape Town. He has handed over his tasks to Lawrence Maina, while Daniel Kathurima, formerly FONA Project Officer, took up a new role co-ordinating the TBA Alumnus Association. In turn, Lilian Igweta has stepped into Daniel's shoes — welcome, Lilian! Proposed subscription rate increases Part of Nature Kenya's strategy for financial sustainability is to make sure that membership costs are covered by income from subscriptions. Nature Kenya subscription rates have remained unchanged since 1997. This is a period in which postage, printing and communications costs have risen dramatically. At the moment subscriptions fall far short of covering the costs per member. Increases in subscription rates proposed by the Executive Committee will be discussed at the forthcoming AGM. If approved, these will go some way to meeting the shortfall. We hope the ongoing membership recruitment drive will do the rest - the more members we have, the less the unit cost of running members' services. The proposed new subscription rates : Full 800/- Family 1000/- Pensioners 300/- Students 300/- Institutional 1000/- Conservation Group 150/- Sponsor 3000/- Help us to keep Nature Kenya subscription rates at affordable levels by recruiting a new member - or two! Remember for every member you introduce you receive an Eagle Lapel pin, a packet of postcards or a Nature Kenya bumper sticker. Annual General Meeting The new subscription rates will be discussed at this year's AGM, on Monday 14 May. This is also your chance to elect a new Executive Committee, to hear about your Society's activities over the last year, and to ask questions about any aspect of Nature Kenya's work. I look forward to seeing you there! Space permitting, the meeting is open to all who are interested - but please register in advance with the Nature Kenya office (by e-mail, post, fax or phone). More background information and the detailed programme are available from Nature Kenya or the Ornithology Department. I Executive Committee 1 . 1 - ■ Management Sub-committee ; Membership & Development Sub-committee Executive Director Paul Matiku Committees & Projects Co-ordination Group Conservation Programme Manager Solomon Mwangi Membership Services Manager Catherine Ngarachu Administration and Development Manager ^Elizabeth Maloba Front Office Assistant Elizabeth Nyambura I Front Office ! Volunteers Accountant Daniel Akach Administrative Officer Vincent Owuor Driver William Olang' General Assistant Fansha'ire Chebet I BA Intern Dan Omolo FONA Lilian Igweti TBA Lawrence Maina Daniel Kathurima Site Conservation Into ms Leonard Likhotio Joel Siele John Chege Francis Muigai Projects Supervision liaison/facilitation F&OtVLkK. Ac-nvrne-s Sunday Birdwatch (Pot-Luck Outing) ♦ „♦ the National Museum, Members meet a th Q m the third Nairobi car parK at ^ ^ Jhe Sunday of every month,..- nch members decide where to go. TREE WALK Guided Tree Walks in the Nairobi Arboretum on the last Monday of every month i.e. 28 May from 9:30 a.m Meet at the FONA offices beside the Girl Guides HQ. Those who are not members of FONA pay Ksh 100/- fee on arrival at the gate. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDWALKS Bird watching walks at sites in and around Nairobi. Meet at the National Museum car park every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. Return about 12-.30 p.m. Those who are no members can get temporary membersh p at Ksh 100 per birdwalk, payable on arnva at the car park. ARABUKO SOKOKE (COAST) The Saturday birdwatch with the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Guides Association is on the fmst Saturday of each month i.e. 5 May at 6:30 a.m. from the Visitor Centre, Gede. Cost 100/- per person. FFJ Bird Walk (Coast) The Friends of Fort Jesus birdwalks are held the third Saturday of each month i.e. 19 May, at 4:30 p.m. from Ratna Square P£^LAKAT!C>N Nature Kenya does not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of negligence of any of its staff, volunteers or members organising the outings/trips or for any for loss, injury, death or damage to property. may piaky Sokoke Birdwajk- Mon 14 EANHS AGM Sat 19 FF.T Birdwalk Sun 20 Fundav Birdwatch Arhnrr.tum Tree Walk Birdwalks every Wednesday mommy E>di \or l Catherine Ngarachu TKAimOi orrom\JH\r\e-s FUNDAMENTALS OF BAT ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION A field training course, organised by the National Museums of Kenya, Bat Conservation International, USA., and the Taita Discovery Centre. Dates: May 12-18 2001 (6 nights) Limited Spaces Available: Sign up now by contacting Steve Turner, Tel # 222075, Fax # 330698, e-mail - eaos@africaonline.co.ke * Costs: With TDC transport incl to/from Nairobi - Kshs 22,500 per person. Use your own transport - Kshs 16,500 per person, Kenya Professional Guides Association Members - CREDIT of Kshs 3,000 per person Bird Hotline Please note the records below are unconfirmed Hundreds of Lesser Kestrels Masai Gate, Nairobi N. Park / Apr Narinder Heyer Pair of yellow-billed Storks nesting Tiwi River mouth.' Apr Kevin Mazera Pangani Lengclaw, Great Spotted Cuckoo Athi Plains/ Mar Lemon Dove, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Scarce Swift iGatamaiyu Forest/ Feb Shailesh Patel, Bernard Chege, Bernd de Bruijn 2 Magpie Mannikins, Tana Delta Camp/ Feb Jean and Judy Anne Hartley 6 White-headed Mousebirds Amboseli National Park/ African Finfoot, Zebra Waxbill. Croaking Cisticola Nairobi National Park/ Feb Philip Hechle Please send details to Kenya Birds, c/o Nature Kenya or email: kbirds@africaonline.co.ke Remember to renew your membership! We need your support! Recruit one other member! &XCVKSIOHS -YOUTH TRIP! WILLIAM HOLDEN EDUCATION CENTRE, NANYUKI Thank you to all who expressed an interest in this outing. Unfortuately, we were not able to get the dates desired, but we'll keep you updated. W^IC^NP 6*£T7VVVA-rS Camping at Kitengela, on the Hopcraft Farm, Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June '01 Photos by Solomon Ngari A hiking and birdwatching weekend, near Nairobi. Cost: Ksh 600/- per person The campsite facilities include a covered dining area with table and chairs, hot showers and pit latrines. This is a do it yourself trip where you will need to bring everything you think you will need, such as your own drinking water, food and camping gear. Meet at the National Museums car park on Friday at 4:00 p.m./ depart Kitengela at 3:30 p.m. on the Sunday. Book by 15 June VI and please let us know if you can give lifts. rU&UCATlONS SEED DISPERSAL AND FOREST REGENERATION IN A TROPICAL LOWLAND BIOCOENOSIS (SHIMBA HILLS, KENYA) BY THOMAS R. ENGEL Now available in the Nature Kenya/ National Museum library This work provides basic information about the Shimba Hills National Reserve in coastal Kenya. Furthermore, several new and generally valid methodological and theoretical aspects of regeneration ecology are discussed. 3