Overview

Sustainable Management of Watersheds: Biophysical, Livestock and Human Interactions (SUMAWA) is a cooperative initiative for interdisciplinary watershed-based research and management in Kenya's River Njoro watershed. The multidisciplinary team is subdivided into four research components: hydrology, ecology, stakeholder involvement, and socio-economics. Research teams are composed of faculty, research scientists and students from three US academic institutions (University of Wyoming, University of California - Davis, and Utah State University), two Kenya academic institutions (Egerton University and Moi University), and two Kenya governmental organizations (Kenya Fisheries Department, and Kenya Wildlife Service).

This project is a component of the Global Livestock Collaborative Research Support Program supported by USAID through a grant to the University of California - Davis and by contributions from the participating institutions.

Research and Development Objectives

The Njoro watershed serves as the research test bed for a variety of research and developmental outcomes and is being developed as an experimental watershed where interactions among ecological and hydrological dynamics may be quantified. Analyses have focused on defining human and watershed-based metrics resulting from policy decisions and resulting land cover change. Numerous field studies have provided basic information to a range of simulation and conceptual models to build a strong scientific understanding of the watershed system as well as provide key information to decision makers for policy guidance and effective land management.

The ultimate goal for the SUMAWA team is to integrate stakeholder interests with scientific research through consultation with various stakeholders in the watershed on matters such as water quantity and water quality. A watershed assessment will lead to the preparation of a problem model that will in turn facilitate the team to generate a full project proposal for integrated sustainable management of watershed resources through stakeholder participation at the watershed scale.

US Address

Scott N. Miller, Lead PI
Assistant Professor of Watershed Management
Box 3354
1000 E. University Dr.
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071

Tele: +1 307 766 4274
FAX: +1 307 766 6403
Email: snmiller@uwyo.edu

Kenya Address

William A. Shivoga, Host Country PI
Department Head, Environmental Science
Sustainable Management of Watersheds Program
CMRT Building
PO Box 536
Egerton University
Njoro, Kenya

Tele: +1 254 51 62085
Email: shivoga@sumawa.or.ke

Affiliated Institutions

Descriptions are from the institutions' web pages

Global Livestock CRSP. The Global Livestock CRSP is comprised of multidisciplinary, collaborative projects focused on human nutrition, economic growth, environment and policy related to animal agriculture and linked by a global theme of risk in a changing environment. The program is active in East Africa, Central Asia and Latin America.

Egerton University, Kenya. Egerton University’s mission is to participate in the discovery, transmission and preservation of knowledge and to stimulate the intellectual life, economic and cultural development of Kenya.

University of Wyoming, USA. UW combines major-university benefits and small-school advantages, with more than 180 programs of study, an outstanding faculty, and world-class research facilities all set against the idyllic backdrop of southeastern Wyoming's rugged mountains and high plains.

University of California - Davis, USA. UC Davis is one of the nation's top public research universities and is part of the world's preeminent public university system. The campus is set in the heart of the Central Valley, close to the state capital and San Francisco Bay Area.

Moi University, Kenya. Moi University is situated in the Rift Valley Province, Kenya's Highlands, between Western province and Central Province. With its 10,000 students and 3000 staff is the university housed on a total of 5000 acres, spread over several campuses in- and around Eldoret town

Kenya Department of Fisheries

Kenya Wildlife Service. Conserving wildlife for Kenyans and as a World heritage.

Utah State University, USA. Utah State University is a place of inspiration, a place where the person you are meets the person you will become. It is a university where teaching is fundamental, where academics come first, and where professors are still the touchstone for every student.