RCE Greater Nairobi-2016

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Adopt a River Initiative
2. Thematic area/s addressed by the project
Select your options: 
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
World Student Community for Sustainable Development (WSCSD-Kenya)
Role: 
President
Main Contact: 
Nickson Otieno
Name: 
Bonface Nduma
Affiliation: 
World Student Community for Sustainable Development (WSCSD-Kenya)
Alternative project contact: 
Name: 
Joseph Masinde
Affiliation: 
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Name: 
Dr. Mary Otieno
Affiliation: 
RCE Greater Nairobi
4. Project type
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

Urban wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems in Kenya. This is due to their direct conversion into built up areas (either planned or unplanned). This has led to acute pollution related problems including uncontrolled domestic and industrial discharges; and irresponsible dumping of commercial, municipal and institutional wastes. There have also been drainage concerns; direct biodiversity habitat loss; overexploitation of wetland plant and animal species; and increased prevalence of invasive alien species.

To address these challenges, the RCE Greater Nairobi, led by the World Student Community for Sustainable Development (WSCSD-Kenya) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is implementing a youth-led River Monitoring and Restoration program being piloted within the Nairobi River Basin before roll-out to the entire country.  

The Adopt a River Initiative is a youth-led, multi-stakeholder wetlands monitoring and restoration project that entails adoption of a nearby river by university, college and high school student groups, community youth groups and other interested institutions. These groups are then empowered to monitor the pollution levels of adopted river sections over time using Mini Stream Assessment Scoring System (miniSASS), identify sources of pollution and take local action to restore and conserve them.

7. Provide references and reference materials : 
6. Project status
On Going
Description: 
The project was initiated in November 2014 as a follow-up to the launch of GAP on ESD. In 2015, the project's objectives were refined through extensive stakeholder mobilization and consultations. This was followed by identification and mapping of sampling institutions and points, development of the training manuals and training the participants on the methodology for monitoring the river health. The actual monitoring of the river's health is currently being undertaken and is to be succeeded by implementation of relevant restoration projects to be developed by the participating institutions.
Upon successful completion of the project's pilot phase within the Nairobi River Basin, the project will be upscaled to other river basins across the country in partnership with other Kenyan RCEs.
8. Tagging
Region: 
Africa and Middle East