Conservation science and policy increasingly recognize the importance of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK), yet in practice, many conservation approaches continue to sideline community perspectives, livelihoods, and decision-making/governance systems. Across much of Kenya and beyond, conservation approaches continue to prioritize biodiversity protection through top-down and exclusionary approaches that marginalize the very communities who live in, depend on, and steward conserved landscapes.

Drawing on empirical research from the Mau Forest Complex in Kenya, this presentation examines the compounding effects of sidelining ILK in formal conservation planning and implementation. Using household surveys, community engagement, and ecological insights, we demonstrate how conservation priorities focused narrowly on biodiversity protection often conflict with IPLC livelihood needs and long-standing resource use practices related to food, medicinal plants, cultural values, and psychological well-being. These mismatches have contributed to reduced trust, livelihood vulnerability, and, in some cases, conservation non-compliance, ultimately weakening ecological outcomes.

Beyond social impacts, the exclusion of ILK has reshaped ecological outcomes. Reforestation initiatives, for example, have increasingly favored exotic tree species while Indigenous species that sustained local livelihoods, such as those supporting honey production among the Ogiek, continue to decline. Such interventions highlight how biodiversity-first strategies divorced from local knowledge can unintentionally erode both ecosystems and cultural relationships with the forest.

The findings highlight that excluding ILK does not merely overlook valuable ecological knowledge but actively undermines conservation effectiveness by disconnecting management strategies from local realities. We argue for a shift toward co-production of knowledge, rights-based conservation, and participatory governance frameworks that position IPLCs as leaders and co-managers rather than passive stakeholders. Ethical engagement grounded in free, prior, and informed consent, long-term collaboration, and shared decision-making emerges as central to both social justice and ecological sustainability.

By honoring Indigenous heritage while fostering innovative co-management approaches, conservation can better align biodiversity goals with community well-being. We conclude with policy recommendations for integrating ILK into conservation science and practice, demonstrating how inclusive governance pathways can enhance resilience, empower communities, and deliver more durable conservation outcomes. This case contributes to global debates on equitable conservation and the transformative potential of Indigenous-led knowledge systems.