,
Kenya
The area protected has now expanded to over 200,000 hectares, which will generate approximately 1.7 million tons of CO2 emissions per year over the next 30 years. The Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project, with the dryland Acacia-Commiphora forest under its protection and its original biodiversity restored, received Gold level status by the Community and Biodiversity Standard for exceptional biodiversity and climate benefits. The project ecosystem is home to an incredibly diverse population of wildlife including more than 20 species of bats, over 50 species of large mammals, over 300 species of birds, and many globally threatened IUCN Red List species, such as the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and the Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi). With a long track record of steady, high-impact work, the project is beginning to see indicators of a transition towards a durable, long-term impact for the community, forest, and wildlife.