Forest Yetu 2nd edition

A YEAR ON! Coastal Kenya Forests In Our Hands

For our Coastal Kenya Forests to bounce back, we need to stir and influence change, move from commitment
to action, and build a movement of people in Kenya and beyond who believe in the urgent need to stop
further forest loss while bringing back what is already lost.

The journey to achieving this was kicked off in January of 2019, when we launched a four-year public private-
people partnership project. The target is to restore and protect 30,000 hectares of terrestrial forest
and mangrove ecosystems in protected areas including the unique Kaya forests. One year down the line, up
to 24,000 hectares of forested land has been brought under effective protection and management through
a concerted effort from Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Forest Adjacent
Communities.

Degraded patches of terrestrial and mangrove forest areas have been re-planted with over 50,000 assorted
indigenous tree seedlings. Sensitization of forest adjacent communities remains a critical element of a
progressive development and implementation of participatory forest management plans. These engagements
are the key building blocks that will ultimately guarantee the protection and sustainable utilization of forest
resources into the future. As of January 2020, approximately 800-community members had been trained
on sustainable forest management practices, efficient charcoal production and on legal frameworks that
govern natural resources management.

Having tasted the sweet fruits of conservation through sale of indigenous tree seedlings in the first year
of the project, communities around the forest blocks have established tree nurseries in readiness for the
second cycle of planting and for their own livelihood improvement. Members of Kaya Gandini, for example,
have since developed a tree nursery with a capacity to raise 20,000 tree seedlings for rehabilitation of areas
adjacent to the forest.

Effective development and implementation of participatory forest restoration plans are key to thriving
forest landscapes. The Kwale Landscape Forest Restoration Plan (KLFRP) developed by stakeholders in
Kwale County will guide restoration of degraded forest landscapes within the county and promote tree
growing in farmlands.

Finally, armed with lessons from the globally acclaimed pioneer mangrove carbon offset project in Gazi,
Mikoko Pamoja, the community in the greater Vanga region, launched their carbon offset facility in June
2019 with a capacity to trade 6000 t CO2/eq. with the potential to earn the community approximately Ksh.
6 million/yr. These earnings are expected to benefit the community for the 20 years crediting period. Vanga
Blue Forest (VBF) was established as a local community-based organization. The International Climate
Initiative (IKI) project is facilitating recruitment of a project coordinator that will manage this innovative
project. The income from the sale of carbon will be channeled directly to the community. Organization
structures of the VBF have been laid, with an 11-member committee already in place.
Here is to planting more trees and an exciting, productive three years

Mohamed Pakia
Terrestrial Coordinator for our Coastal Kenya Programme