Mangrove and Kijabe Reforestation in Kenya
One of the charities that Carbon Neutral Britain supports is Eden Reforestation Projects, which is a reforestation initiative in Kenya.
Approximately 90% of Kenya's forests have been cleared, primarily due to logging, charcoal production, and illegal settlements. If these activities continue, the loss of forest cover will only increase.
Why reforest in Kenya?
Reforestation in Kenya is crucial due to the country's history of environmental degradation caused by human activities. Kenya is known for its diverse wildlife and range of forests, but in recent years, these ecosystems have been severely impacted by logging, charcoal production, and illegal settlements. This has led to an increase in droughts and poverty among local communities. The Kenyan government has set a goal of achieving 10% forest cover, and various organizations are working in partnership with the government to achieve this objective and support the communities that depend on these forests for their livelihoods.
42% of population live below the poverty line.
Only 7% of Kenya is covered with forest.
How have the project started?
In late 2019, Eden Reforestation formed partnerships with a local community, a forest trust, and government institutions to establish an office, planting sites, and nurseries in Kenya. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team's commitment to reforestation and conservation efforts led to the initiation of tree planting in March 2020. During that first month, over 50,000 trees were planted in the Kijabe Forest and along the Northern Coast. Since then, the planting rate has continued to grow, as the team works to protect Kenya's forest system.
Where in Kenya?
The Great Rift Valley
The Kijabe Forest is a beautiful and vital ecosystem in Kenya that our organization is proud to be working on in partnership with the Kijabe Forest Trust. Our Afromontane reforestation and Kenya restoration projects in the area have been making a positive impact on the forest and its surrounding community. These efforts have not only provided a vital habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, but also sustainable economic opportunities for local families. Additionally, the projects have helped to ensure a reliable water supply and protect against landslides, making the area safer for all who live and work there. The Kijabe Forest is a true treasure and we are honored to be a part of its conservation and restoration.
Northern coast
Lamu County is a beautiful coastal region of Kenya that our organization is thrilled to be working on in partnership with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Our projects in the area have been focused on the restoration of mangrove and coastal forest habitats, which play a crucial role in the local ecosystem. Not only do these habitats provide vital ecosystem services, they also provide employment to those living in extreme poverty. Through our efforts, we're not only restoring key habitats that support livelihoods and cultural heritage, but also supporting the local community by providing sustainable economic opportunities. It's an honor to be a part of such an important and meaningful project in Lamu County.
A Story from the field
“Would you rather navigate through hyena territory or python-infested bushes? One of our monitoring employees was scouting an area to determine if we should launch a new tree planting site there. To map the site boundary, he had to crawl through thick bushes. Once he got to the other side, a hyena was sitting right in front of him. Slowly, he backed away from the hyena, then quickly changed his course. As he approached the rocky area, he turned his head and saw a giant python slithering through a bush. At that moment, he had to make a choice: go back to the hyena territory or continue through the python-infested bush. He turned back around and continued through the hyena territory. This is not a decision most people have to make during a typical workday. However, our Kenyan reforestation teams face these types of situations every week.”
Progress to date?
Eden has quickly grown to become the largest and most efficient reforestation group in Kenya. With a total of 45 project sites across the country, they are working to achieve several key objectives such as re-establishing a sustainable water supply by protecting and replanting around springs and rivers, restoring vital habitats for wildlife, stabilizing steep slopes that are prone to landslides, and ensuring livelihoods for local communities. By rapidly scaling Eden team and operations, they are making significant progress towards achieving these important goals.
50 million+ trees produced, planted, and protected.
1050+ employees empowered with fair wages.
