Conservation of Kenya’s Central highlands threatened tree species

Conservation of Kenya’s Central highlands threatened tree species through community participation and integration into planting programmes

Partner: Centre for Ecosystem Restoration-Kenya (CER-K)
Years: 2023-2026

The project will train 138 people in monitoring, collecting propagules and selling seeds and seedlings of threatened tree species. The project will also raise awareness of tree conservation among more than 3,000 members of the local communities and enable quality seeds of threatened tree species to be stored.

13.2% of Kenya’s 1,111 native tree species are threatened with extinction, whereas 42 are endemic. The major threats to biological diversity in the country are land conversion to agricultural or commercial use, over-exploitation, infrastructure development, human settlement, overgrazing and climate change. This project will integrate threatened tree species into indigenous forest restoration and tree planting programmes in Kenya: (1) by training 138 individuals from 46 Community Forest Associations, (CFAs) to monitor, collect propagules, and sell seeds/seedlings of threatened tree species; (2) by creating awareness among >3,000 community members on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; (3) and by storing seeds and developing propagation and storage protocols. This will result in the incorporation of the target species into reforestation, reintroduction, riverine restoration, school greening/landscaping programmes, improved livelihoods, access to quality germplasm and conservation and protection of a minimum of 22 threatened tree species. The project will train restoration organisations on the importance of integrating threatened tree species into planting programmes.