Speaker: Dr Douglas Nyolei, The Nature Conservancy

Abstract: The Lake Victoria Basin faces mounting environmental pressures - from deforestation and pollution to water scarcity - driven by unsustainable land use, population growth, and climate variability. To address these challenges and build long-term resilience, a comprehensive Watershed Investment Program is urgently needed for each catchment. The Yala catchment is leading the way as the first in the basin to establish such a program, promoting integrated land and water management through cross-sectoral collaboration.

Speaker: Dr Stella Wanjala, Women in Water and Natural Resource Conservation (WWANC)

Abstract: The Yala Basin in western Kenya is a vital freshwater ecosystem where ecological restoration and sustainable livelihoods are deeply interconnected. This presentation examines gender-responsive approaches to ecological restoration, drawing on participatory soil and water conservation fieldwork and gender-disaggregated data. Findings highlight how integrating gender equity - through inclusive governance, secure land rights, and support for women-led initiatives - enhances ecological outcomes while strengthening community resilience.

Speaker: Dr John Rueben, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)

Abstract: This presentation explores a citizen science approach to water quality monitoring in the Lake Victoria Basin, highlighting its effectiveness in generating vital ecological data while fostering local environmental stewardship. The method offers a cost-effective and scalable model for long-term monitoring, supporting both community engagement and evidence-based conservation planning.

Speaker: Dr Emily Ochieng, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)

Abstract: Song serves as a powerful medium for conservation, linking concepts, methods, and community voices through shared performance. Centered around the “WatArts” song, this presentation highlights how music fosters inclusion, conveys the purpose of conservation, and supports community-driven environmental action.

Speaker: Camille Wekesa, Orkedi Art Nature & Education Foundation

Abstract: African artists are using participatory workshops grounded in indigenous environmental beliefs to engage rural communities in creative expression and conservation. This presentation highlights how such approaches enhance local participation, deepen cultural and ecological understanding, and position art as a tool for environmental stewardship.

Speaker: Dave Ojay, NAAM festival

Abstract: Lake Victoria, known as Nam Lolwe in Kenya’s Luo language, is a vital freshwater resource sustaining over 440 million people across the Nile Basin - yet it is in ecological crisis. Facing severe biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation, and water scarcity, the lake's degradation threatens both ecosystems and the livelihoods of surrounding communities. This presentation explores the paradox of abundance and poverty in the Lake Victoria and Yala Swamp basins, calling attention to the urgency for sustainable and just environmental stewardship.