An Analysis of Revenue & Wealth Distribution Within Group and Community Conservancies in Kenya

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Fernando Galeana-Rodriguez and Dr. Richard Boakye

Project Description

Kenya’s 200+ community conservancies, covering 18% of the country, are locally managed to protect natural resources and deliver benefits to local communities. In 2026, William & Mary students will partner with the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association to research how revenues from conservation are distributed within these communities, assessing their impact on equity, poverty reduction, and local resilience.

The Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA) is the national body supporting these conservancies to derive social, environmental, and economic value from sustainable land use. KWCA is collaborating with conservancies to co-design research that measures their impact and raises global awareness of their significance.

In 2026, William & Mary students will partner with KWCA on a research project examining the economic outcomes of community-led conservancies with over 100 members. The study will investigate how revenue from ecotourism, conservation partnerships, and land-use leases is distributed at the community level, and whether it promotes equity, poverty reduction, and household resilience.

Using mixed methods, including surveys, income tracking, interviews, and financial analysis, the research will assess income distribution, governance, and reinvestment in communal services like education and health. It will also explore how governance affects revenue management and decision-making.

The findings will inform discussions on sustainable development, communal land use, and rural economies, while offering practical insights for conservation policy and land governance. The project also fosters cross-cultural collaboration between U.S. students and Kenyan conservancies.

Prerequisites and Required Skills

This project will require collecting and analysis of data from various actors across Kenya, so a background in quantitative data analysis or mixed methods would be helpful, but not required. Interest in development economics would also be beneficial, but not required.

There are no prerequisites, but we will ask students to enroll in Political Ecology with Professor Galeana-Rodriguez in Spring 2026.

Travel Required

Two W&M students will travel to Kenya for around 8 weeks over the summer to work alongside KWCA partners and local conservancies to conduct research. This travel will involve conducting interviews with members of conservancies, some hiking in rural Kenyan community-led conservancies, and staying in field stations. 

Notes for Applicants

This is a good project for students who are eager to explore the linkages between economics, sociology, and conservation. Students must be prepared to travel and spend time in rural Kenyan field stations.

Project ID - Format

26-003-26 - CRP Year