A tree growing holiday!
Last week, the Kenyan government announced a new public holiday to be celebrated annually on the 13th of November, National Tree Planting Day! And our team in Kenya were so excited when one of our projects in Upper Imenti Forest was selected to host the tree planting activities as part of this year’s celebrations.
This special holiday is part of the country’s efforts to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat climate change. It is hoped that this initiative will allow us as a country to meet and attain at least 30% forest cover. Right now, Kenya’s forest cover stands only at 8.83% so much work needs to be done.
Across Kenya, there are food prices are being hiked and the effects of climate change are being felt deeply on the ground . But a remedy for this is to plant and grow trees. This will allow us to get adequate rain for growing food crops as well as help carbon sequestration.
Celebrations in Upper Imenti Forest, Meru County
Tree planting celebrations were held all over the country. And we were grateful that one our of our community-led projects in partnership with Meru Forest Environmental Conservation & Protection (MEFECAP) was selected to officially host planting activities in Meru County.
The event was well attended by local communities, government and Kenya Forest Service officials. With Hon. Peninah Malonza, Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, standing in as the guest of honour.
Over 200,000 trees were planted in Kithoka Beat, Upper Imenti Forest, a site where we’re currently supporting local communities to protect the environment through agroforestry together with MEFECAP.
The trees will be maintained by members of MEFECAP and the wider community as it is not only about planting but also the aftercare of the trees that will eventually ensure a successful restoration. In addition to this, community members in the area who raised the tree seedlings gave their income a boost through selling their seedlings for planting on the day.
As I put it, if you want to hear the sound of a bird, don’t buy a cage. Plant a tree, the birds will definitely come and you will hear their sounds.
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Together we can create real change by planting trees and restoring the natural beauty of our planet.