Saving Kenya’s Forests

Category: Aberdares, Community, Conservation, biodiversity | Date: Nov 24 2008 | By: kenyaforests

Kijabe Environment Volunteers a long time member of KFWG is one of the 25 winners of the prestigious Equator Prize for 2008. The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and celebrate outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The winners were selected from a total pool of 310 nominations from 70 nations.

For more information on the Award see the Equator prize website 

“Pass my congratulations to KENVO”, said a KFWG member in an email on learning about KENVO’s win, “It is quite encouraging to hear of such recognition. This shows that they have made an impact which is well above the normal performance. We would like KENVO to share [information] on the initiatives that have rendered this. Well done and keep it up.” Peter Kiptanui, a member of a South Nandi bidoveristy group added, “you are not alone in this moment of joy, so many of us are following in your footsteps and this is [just] a big footprint”.

The Equator prize is a fitting recognition of KENVOs work in and around the Kereita forest. KENVO has been largely responsible for educating the public on the usefulness of the forest and other forests in the Kikuyu escarpment. They have rehabilitated parts of the forest, organized annual tree planting events that involve schools, churches and the community in addition to core projects that the group carries out. You can read more on KENVOs activities on their site here

We add our voice to that of our members and say, “Hongera!”, well done…

Liz

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Category: Community | Date: Nov 20 2008 | By: kenyaforests

The Kenya Forest Service has approved eight forest management plans developed by communities. The plans will enable these eight communities, grouped into community forest associations, to co-manage specific areas of forest currently managed exclusively by the KFS. This type of management commonly referred to as Participatory Forest Management has been approved by the Forests Act 2005. The forests which have had their community plans approved are Eburru, Ngare Ndare, Rumuruti, Ngangao, Mukogodo, Kitobo, Mbololo-Mwambirwa and Kasighau.

One of the key features of the plans is an outline of income generating and conservation and protection activities that the community wishes to carry out at a specific site. These may include raising of seedlings and tree planting, bee keeping for honey, ecotourism development, fish farming, training of community scouts to work alongside forest guards among other things. It is important to note that although management plans have been approved, KFS is yet to enter into agreements with these communities for activities to commence.

Liz

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Category: biodiversity | Date: Nov 03 2008 | By: kenyaforests

Reijo Hakanen a long time member of KFWG delighted us at the last monthly meeting on Friday with a nice gift: Orchids. Reijo, found the Orchids (pictured below), dumped at the Agricultural Society of Kenya showground on Ngong Road. Reijo thought he would bring them to this meeting where forest lovers congregate, convinced they would find a home. And they did, not only did KFWG take some to be nurtured by the East African Wild Life Society’s Cape Chestnut and Jacaranda trees, but two other members took others home.

Photo: The Orchids at the base of the Jacaranda tree that will host them, they don’t look pretty yet, but they will!

Reijo, and indeed, all of us were however not happy about the reason the Orchids came to be in the back of his pick-up (it was full) in the first place. It seems someone had asked and received permission to cut down some trees, which were holding the Orchids. They were granted permission to do so, as long as they moved the flowers first. They didn’t. That’s sad I think. I wish people would be more careful and mindful of the environment.

Meanwhile, we will enjoy this gift.

Liz

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