Saving Kenya’s Forests

Category: Community, Conservation | Date: Jun 10 2008 | By: kenyaforests

That’s what Kijabe Environment Volunteers have been doing!

KENVO as they are more popularly known is a group of young, totally into the environment youth that works around the Kijabe escarpment, with a focus on the Kereita forest. Kereita forest is the southern most part of the Aberdare ranges of Kenya. The group came together in 1994 as Kijabe Young Volunteers to address environmental and forest degradation and other wider social issues such as poverty and HIV.

But its their novel way of approaching environmental conservation that has earned them admiration of their peers and the community in general.

Among the activities that KENVO carries out is celebration of the annual World Environment Day (June 5). But unlike many organizations, KENVO has found ways to involve the public in these celebrations in ways that are not connected to the traditional tree planting and clean-ups. Those do eventually take place, but amid much more excitement.

First it was a marathon. For the past couple of years, members of the community have been encouraged to run in a World Environment Day marathon while also taking part in other activities like music, dancing, exhibitions, tree planting and clean-ups.

This year KENVO introduced a beauty contest - the Miss Environment from Kijabe. I couldn’t believe my ears when team leader David Kuria told me this. But whatever works, this group will use it. I am yet to get pictures of the event but as soon as I have some, I will be sure to post them.

Meanwhile, go on over to the KENVO site and read up on this interesting group.

Liz

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