Eunice Kamau, a Woman Leading Conservation in Kenya
Growing up in Kenya’s Laikipia County, Eunice Kamau, now a leading Avifauna Research Officer at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, experienced wildlife not through a textbook but through the stark reality of trampled crops and threatened livestock.
While her community battled the daily challenges of living alongside giants like elephants and formidable predators, a young Eunice found quiet fascination in the flash of a dragonfly’s wing or the morning chorus of birds. This intimate, complex relationship with nature sparked a lifelong quest: to redefine what coexistence means.
“Growing up in Laikipia County, Kenya, I lived a dual reality. On one hand, my home was a canvas of breathtaking landscapes teeming with extraordinary biodiversity. On the other hand, for my community and family, this rich wildlife wasn’t a spectacle to admire; it was a constant threat. Elephants trampled our crops, and lions and hyenas preyed on our livestock. Like most around me, my family saw wildlife as a challenge to survival. Yet, even as a child, I found beauty where others saw conflict. I was captivated by the dragonflies basking in the sun, the morning melodies of birds, and the playful dwarf mongooses darting around our home. These quiet moments ignited an unshakeable passion for nature, leading me to plant trees and care for birds, a connection that soon defined my life’s mission,” Eunice said.
Eunice’s journey into conservation truly accelerated at Chuka University in Tharaka-Nithi County, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Enterprise and Management. This programme immersed her in the practical realities of wildlife biology, ecology, and habitat management. She honed vital field skills, learning species identification, population monitoring, and habitat assessment. As a dedicated member and dynamic leader of the Chuka Wildlife Club, Eunice didn’t just study conservation; she lived it. She spearheaded bird excursions, organised impactful tree planting, and launched awareness campaigns. These hands-on experiences forged an unshakeable foundation for her career. Her academic pursuit continued with a Master of Science in Environmental Studies at Karatina University. “I pursued a Master of Science in Environmental Studies at Karatina University, where I expanded my expertise to address climate extremes, biodiversity loss, restoration and environmental sustainability; principles that now define my professional approach.”
Today, Eunice serves as a research officer at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a catalyst of conservation in Kenya. She pioneered and leads the avifauna research and monitoring programme across the expansive Lewa-Borana Landscape, where her team has documented an impressive 494 bird species. This initiative has since extended to the neighbouring Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy, significantly boosting biodiversity documentation and fostering cross-landscape collaboration.
In addition to avifauna, Eunice oversees Lewa’s hydrology and meteorology monitoring. She tracks river flows, spring vitality, and climatic shifts. This data is critical for climate change adaptation and ensuring water security for both people and wildlife. “Our insights directly inform conservation decisions,” Eunice explains. “They help us mitigate ecological risks and guide sustainable resource management, especially when identifying vital water sources during dry seasons.”
She also leads crucial wildlife monitoring at key migratory corridors using strategically placed camera traps. This work provides essential data on species movement, human-wildlife interaction, and corridor usage, proving vital for maintaining landscape connectivity and supporting long-term wildlife viability. Through these multifaceted roles, Eunice takes immense pride in contributing meaningfully to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience during a defining time for our planet.
As a woman spearheading conservation efforts, Eunice Kamau isn’t just a leader in her field; she’s actively breaking barriers and forging a path for other women in what has been a traditionally male-dominated domain. She passionately asserts, “For decades, conservation, particularly fieldwork and leadership roles, was widely perceived as a male domain. Women were often severely under-represented, their roles restricted by cultural norms, institutional biases, and a stark lack of opportunity. The prevailing image of a conservation leader was male, rugged, and entrenched in the field, an image that critically overlooked the immense strength, intellect, and empathy women bring to this crucial work.”
Fortunately, as Eunice points out, that narrative is now changing. “Today, women are not only joining conservation efforts; we are leading them,” she states with conviction. “Around the world, women are designing innovative conservation strategies, managing vast protected areas, conducting pioneering research, deeply engaging communities, and actively shaping environmental policy. Our voices are transforming the sector, fostering inclusive, community-centred, empathetic leadership that demonstrably strengthens outcomes for both people and nature.”
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