About the Grasslands and Rangelands Society of Kenya (GRASK)

Grassland and Rangeland society of Kenya (GRASK) is a professional society that brings together researchers, professionals, practitioners and resource users to address the challenges facing grasslands and rangelands in Kenya and the IGAD region. The Society unifies, stimulates and fosters focus and interest on grasslands and rangelands for their sustainable development to play the rightful role in national and regional economic development.

Formation of GRASK

Kenya hosted the  Joint 24th International Grasslands and 11th International Rangelands Congress (IGC/IRC) in 2021 and a resolution was passed  to create a national body to  bring together researchers, professionals, practitioners and resource users, to work and positively impact on the important biomes of our grassland and rangelands. From this resolution, GRASK was formed. The process of forming GRASK was mediated through concerted efforts by the State Department of Livestock, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and the Universities representative – the University of Nairobi.

As  a professional Society, GRASK  seeks to address the many challenges facing grassland and rangeland ecosystems chiefly; land degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate change and variability vulnerabilities which have negatively impacted food and nutritional security of the communities living in the Grasslands and Rangelands. Therefore, GRASK  aims to foster sustainable management, utilization and conservation of the grassland and rangeland resources.

GRASK  works to support sustainable management of grassland and rangeland development by;

  1. Promoting the interest of the community and other stakeholders in the sustainable development of grasslands and rangelands in Kenya and the IGAD region.
  2. Providing a forum for grassland and rangeland managers, researchers, practitioners, livestock production experts, extension service providers, pastoralists and agro-pastoralist, agro-processors, livestock traders and other market agents/investors for the exchange of information and technology.
  3. Enhancing the practical application of research findings in the management and development of grasslands and rangelands.
  4. Liaising with all stakeholders in mentoring generations of dedicated professionals and practitioners.
  5. Providing a platform for lobbying and implementation of international frameworks, protocols and conventions that focus on grasslands and rangelands including UNCCD, UNCBD and UNFCCC, aimed at achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in grasslands and rangelands ecosystems.

Vision

‘‘Sustainably managed grassland and rangeland ecosystems’’

Mission

‘‘To contribute to sustainable management, utilization and conservation of the grassland and rangeland ecosystem resources in Kenya’’

Core Values

  1. Professionalism
  2. Accountability
  3. Integrity
  4. Inclusivity
  5. Team work
  6. Customer focus