International Crane Foundation (ICF) officially launched its Rwanda office in Kigali, on Thursday, May 15, to boost efforts to conserve cranes and wetlands through community-centred strategies. Kerryn Morrison, the Vice President and Director for Africa at ICF, told The New Times that the organisation’s expansion into Rwanda builds on over a decade of collaborative conservation work in the country. “Our work is not just about cranes, it’s about biodiversity, wetlands, landscapes, and the people who share these ecosystems. We aim to find a balance between people and nature,” she said. Globally, ICF works to protect all 15 crane species, most of which are considered threatened. In Africa, it partners with the South Africa-based Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). Together, they have worked with IPRC Kitabi for more than 12 years to conserve Grey Crowned Cranes at Rugezi Marsh in northern Rwanda. IPRC Kitabi, known as Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Kitabi, is one of the eight colleges under Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) which focuses on conservation, environmental management, and sustainable development in Nyamagabe District. Morrison pointed out that while poaching has declined in Rwanda due to initiatives by Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and Rwanda Development Board, degraded breeding habitats and human disturbance are still threats. To address these, ICF supports climate-smart agriculture, mushroom farming, energy-saving stoves, and distributes mattresses to reduce vegetation harvesting in wetlands. Morrison noted that Rugezi Marsh has potential for volunteer and birding tourism, especially given its proximity to Musanze and the Twin Lakes region. She called for efforts to make such experiences affordable to promote domestic tourism. “Cranes are a flagship for conservation outside protected areas. Up to 95 per cent of grey crowned cranes live in densely populated, agriculturally active areas, an integrated conservation approach linking cranes, wetlands, and communities.” Founded in 1973 in Wisconsin, US, ICF has worked in Africa for more than 30 years. It started operations in Rwanda in 2012. Its people-centred strategies have been tested across East Africa, Zambia, and South Africa, benefiting agriculture and health. ICF has registered locally in Rwanda, and plans to expand wetland restoration and management activities, and deepen partnerships with the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Morrison added. At the launch, Richard Nasasira, the Principal of IPRC Kitabi, explained how a small project launched 12 years ago with a single staff member has grown into a strong multi-stakeholder partnership with 12 employees. IPRC Kitabi has worked with ICF to recruit and train staff and implement field projects in districts like Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru. Nasasira noted some of their key achievements, including operationalising projects, hiring full-time staff, conducting research, and engaging communities. “Over five hectares of land were donated by Burera District for tree nurseries, and we commend the Ministry of Environment, Rwanda Environment Management Authority and Rwanda Development Board and local leaders for their support.” A 12-year ICF conservation initiative has led to gains in crane populations and wetland preservation, thanks to a multi-pronged approach focused on research, education, and sustainable livelihoods. The work, done in collaboration with government institutions and communities, illustrates the importance of shared responsibility and the need for scaling up, Nasasira added. For more than 30 years, ICF has gathered important data on wetlands, biodiversity, and peatlands, identifying threats like harmful land use practices. Studies in Rugezi Marsh show that preserving the area’s ecological health and carbon storage is far more valuable than using it for energy production. Nasasira added that ICF has launched education campaigns, including crane ambassadors, school outreach programmes, and citizen monitoring. Tools such as fixed-route surveys and breeding season monitoring have been instrumental in tracking crane populations and their reproductive success. “Over 30,000 Hass avocado trees have been planted to generate income and control erosion, while Napier grass and household vegetable gardens help strengthen hillside soils and improve nutrition. Energy-efficient cook stoves and alternative bedding materials help conserve wetland resources. Climate-smart agriculture interventions promote food security and reduce emissions, incorporating improved seeds, home gardening, and soil-friendly methods. However, current interventions cover only part of the estimated 300,000 people living near Rugezi Marsh. Scaling efforts will require more investment and partnerships,” he said. These include mushroom farming, napier grass cultivation, energy-saving stoves, and health centre partnerships. A new 10-year strategy aims to scale conservation outcomes and community resilience. According to Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi, the ICF-East Africa Regional Director, conservation must benefit people if it’s to succeed. We work in catchment areas because what happens there affects the wetlands where cranes live.” He highlighted the role of trees, explaining that cranes perch on indigenous tree species like ficus, noting that they are working with communities to plant native trees that benefit both cranes and people. This, he said, will call for a broader involvement from local government sectors and districts. Aine-Omucunguzi said ICF specialises in cranes but works with partners protecting other species, including gorillas and other primates. He cited a current trans-boundary conservation initiative for Grey Crowned Cranes with partners in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. He added that universities and research institutions will be central to the next decade of work, noting a focus on wetlands and their biodiversity, and that journalists will raise public awareness, with plans underway for a media tour to showcase ecosystem restoration. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Thadée Twagirimana, the Acting Director General of Environment and Climate Change, called the launch “a beacon of hope for the future of our natural heritage.” Twagirimana described the 2023 MoU between the Ministry and ICF as a step towards improved policy, capacity-building, and resource mobilisation. “Conserving wetlands is not just about protecting wildlife, it’s about securing water, building climate resilience, and ensuring sustainable development. Rwanda’s biodiversity, our future, our pride... Every wetland restored, every crane protected and every community engaged brings us closer to a resilient and sustainable country.
