Conservation of threatened trees in Kwale County in Kenya

Popularising conservation and protection of threatened tree species found in Kwale County in Kenya

Partner: African Forest Limited
Years: 2023-2026

This project aims at conserving 17 threatened tree species, by georeferencing mature individuals, producing phenological calendars, surveying the target species throughout the year, colleting seeds, propagating them and reintroducing them in their natural habitats.

The Kenya coastal forests currently have less than 30 % of their original vegetation cover. Shimba Hills is a key East African biodiversity hotspot and a centre of endemism for both flora and fauna. Some of the plant species found in these forests are threatened by habitat loss, climate change and overexploitation. This project aims at conserving 17 threatened tree species, and producing detailed documents on these species that will be surveyed throughout the year and publish phenological calendars that will ensure that seeds will not be missed as a key instrument in conservation of these species. To further ease the process of conserving these species, detailed propagation protocols will be produced contributing to the best practices of restoration. Threatened tree species propagated will be planted and grown in situ and ex situ. African Forest also aims to empower the local communities particularly the marginalised groups of women and youth living around Shimba Hills by training and introducing alternative means of livelihoods so as to reduce pressure on forests.