Influence of Knowledge and Skills Empowerment on Sustainability of Forest Conservation Projects in Kenya

Abstract This research examined the influence of knowledge and skills empowerment activities on the sustainability of forest conservation projects in Kenya. In this study, the sustainability of forest conservation projects was viewed as its ability to attract more stakeholders and continuously provide benefits to the community and the ecosystem after donor funding. Community empowerment was considered to entail the ability of an individual or group of individuals to proactively take control of their daily activities as well as solve associated daily challenges with little or no external intervention. Knowledge and skills empowerment in forestry projects involves gaining competences in varied forestry activities including tree nurseries establishment, fire-fighting, agroforestry and pest and diseases management in individual tree strands and closed-canopy forests. The study was undertaken in Mbololo and Mwambirwa forests located in Taita-Taveta County of Kenya. The study used a cross-sectional survey research design and relied on mixed methods in data collection and analysis. The study sample comprised 365 respondents for quantitative data and six respondents for qualitative data. Observation and secondary data was also used in the study. Data were analysed using frequencies, mean and standard deviation as well as correlation and regression analysis. The results (r = 0.565, n = 365, p = 0.000) revealed a moderate positive significant relationship between knowledge and skills empowerment and sustainability of forest conservation projects. The null hypothesis that there was no significant relationship between knowledge and skills empowerment and sustainability of forest conservation projects was rejected. It was concluded that knowledge and skills empowerment activities positively contribute to the sustainability of forest conservation projects and ameliorate effects of climate change