Outreach and knowledge mobilization for the effective use of adoptive strategies for land-lake based resilience

Effective land–lake management for resilience requires an integration of knowledge mobilization, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships that bridge science, policy, and community practice. This study aims to enhance understanding of land–lake socio-ecological linkages and to strengthen how geochemical evidence and participatory knowledge are translated into action among diverse actors. The paper draws on outcomes from a series of multi-stakeholder workshops implemented under the Royal Society International Collaboration Grant, “Dynamics of Environmental Geochemistry and Health in a Lake-Wide Basin,” held at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in Kisumu, Kenya, between 2023 and 2024. The workshops brought together government agencies, researchers, extension officers, private sector representatives, and community groups from across the Lake Victoria Basin. Collectively, participants identified critical knowledge and capacity gaps limiting the application of geochemical data to inform management and policy. Through participatory discussions, the workshops emphasized the need to integrate sediment fingerprinting, nutrient mapping, and catchment monitoring into county-level planning. Key themes included hotspot identification, restoration, and evidence-based decision-making to reduce land-to-lake sediment transfers that degrade both terrestrial and aquatic productivity. Participants co-developed pathways for climate-smart and regenerative agri-industries, policy briefs, and communication tools tailored for multiple audiences, including low-literacy and disability-inclusive formats. The process also led to the proposal of a multi-agency coordination committee to oversee ongoing collaboration, data sharing, and monitoring of land–lake activities within the Winam Gulf basin. Anchored in social–ecological resilience and adaptive knowledge mobilization frameworks, the study demonstrates that sustained interaction between scientific diagnostics and community engagement can foster adaptive learning and institutional linkages essential for resilience. The findings underscore the importance of early stakeholder inclusion, transparent data exchange, and participatory governance as foundations for sustainable land–lake management and long-term ecosystem health in the Lake Victoria Basin.