Project Update: Tree Planting in Mount Kenya
ITF have received an Interim Report on the Mount Kenya tree Planting Project an initiative managed by our in-country partner – Save Mount Kenya Forest From Extinction Group (SMK).
We are delighted to announce that the project has made excellent progress in it’s first six months which looks set to continue as the scheme moves forward.
The Mount Kenya Forest Tree Planting project seeks to reverse the damage caused by deforestation within the Mount Kenya Forest. In recent years, high rates of deforestation have caused increased pressure on forest land and decreased food production which in turn has led to local people struggling to make an income.
Working closely with local communities, SMK source tree seedlings, establish tree nurseries and train locals in various forestry and conservation techniques to encourage reforestation throughout the affected area.
Since the project started, it has raised 50,000 seedlings, 40,000 of which have already been planted to various sites.
Tree planting has mainly taken place on public lands and within water catchment areas, dispensaries and community farms. The beneficiaries so far include:
Community members at conservation workshop in Gituambugi site
around 940 pupils from local primary school who participated in tree planting
Over 400 group members from all the groups who participated in training and awareness programmes
Over 1,500 farmers who benefited with seedlings from the project
Over 3,000 community members living near mount Kenya forest who will have improved access to water due to planting within the water basin catchment area.
Raising awareness on the importance of environmental conservation
As well as the extensive tree planting programme, the project has carried out training sessions with local groups to ensure that the new trees are properly cared for and that the importance of trees is fully understood.
Community members have been educated on the importance of conserving Mount Kenya forest and other water catchment areas. In addition, farmers can now adopt and apply various agroforestry techniques, thus reducing pressure forest lands.
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