Meet the incredible people driving forest restoration
Ahead of International Day of Forests, we’re celebrating the people behind forest restoration projects.
Kakamega Rainforest
Why do forests matter?
There are countless reasons why forests matter. Besides their enchanting beauty, forests perform vital ecological functions that support biodiversity to flourish.
For millions of forest dependent communities, forests supply abundant fruit and vital medicines. And by feeding our rivers, forests supply 75% of the world’s fresh water.
Today, much of forested land has been cleared for agricultural use and the accelerating loss of precious biodiversity found within forests is devastating to say the least.
But across the globe there are communities filled with incredible people who are working tirelessly to restore and protect forests for our continued wellbeing and our planet’s survival.
“The length of time required for the growth of a forest shows conclusively that it was never destined in the order of nature for the exclusive use of a single generation.”
Harnessing the power of native trees
In Nakuru County, Kenya, we’re working with local community groups to replenish Dundori Forest with native trees.
Kamau Gicharu , Chairperson Urumwe Environment conservation Group, Dundori Forest
Kamau Gicharu, chairperson of Urumwe Environmental Conservation Group, is one of the incredible people we’re working with on this vital project.
Kamau told us, “In 2012, I decided to start a group to protect our environment. We now have knowledge about sourcing indigenous seeds and we look for the seeds within Dundori Forest, propagate them in our nurseries and plant them in the forest.”
In this project, community foresters like Kamau are planting native trees like Broad-leaved croton (Croton macrostachyus) – a deciduous tree that grows up to 25m with abundant medicinal value, its bark is used to protect new born babies from skin rashes and its leaves are used to treat coughs.
Restoring forests for improved livelihoods
In Kakamega County, we’re working with, Women in Water and Natural Resource Conservation (WWANC) to restore and protect the iconic Kakamega Rainforest.
Together with the local community, we’re planting trees to restore degraded forest areas, setting up community tree nurseries to grow threatened tree species and incorporating soil conservation measures like minimum tillage to reduce land degradation within the forest.
Stella Wanjala, co-founder of Women in Water and Natural Resource Conservation (WWANC)
In the video below, Stella Wanjala, co-founder of WWANC, women’s rights ambassador and forest enthusiast tells us about the amazing work WWANC is doing to mobilise and engage women and communities in climate mitigation and forest restoration activities.
This year, one of the project’s we’re working on is the restoration of Iloro Forest block within Kakamega Rainforest. And since this project began, people in the community have planted 101,143 indigenous trees within this iconic forest. And they planted an additional 10,000 seedlings along three streams that flow into River Yala.
Thank you for supporting our planet's trees and forests. Wishing you a Happy International Day of Forests!Donate today
You can support communities like Stella’s to plant trees, restore forests and improve their livelihoods. Donate today.