Exploring Business Models to Support Women's Livelihood and Conservation Initiatives in the Amboseli Ecosystem
Research Location:
Implemented: Amboseli, Kenya
Conservation Partners:
Amboseli Ecosystem Trust
Student Researcher
Sydney Hintz, Major: Environmental Policy; Major: Integrative ConservationStudent Researcher
Asha Nair, Major: Public Policy and Environmental ScienceFaculty Mentors
Graham Henshaw and Dr. Troy WiipongwiiProject Description
Engaging women leaders in conservation solutions that balance conservation and promote livelihoods is essential. W&M students are working alongside Amboseli Ecosystem Trust (AET) and the W&M Entrepreneurship Center to support a women's collaborative with their efforts to identify opportunities for Maasai women to actively engage and benefit from conservation-focused business in Kenya.
The Maasai women of the Amboseli Ecosystem in southern Kenya play a particularly important role in climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation but often lack the livelihood opportunities needed to sustain their families and uphold their role as stewards of the ecosystems that benefit us all. AET has been providing support for a group of 40+ Maasai women who are looking for opportunities for the women's collective to (1) contribute to meaningful conservation and climate mitigation and (2) support the development and livelihoods of women leaders in the community. To date, the women's collective has established plans for a seed bank initiative, ecotourism, honey production, and jewelry production, however, they lack a clear market for ensuring their sustained benefit from these initiatives.
In 2024, Sydney Hintz '26 and Asha Nair '27 will work with a Kenyan student, the women's collective, AET, and faculty with expertise in business and entrepreneurship to explore markets and opportunities in Kenya that the women's collective could benefit from and easily contribute to. The students will focus on existing models and opportunities that the women's collective could benefit from.
