RESTORE AND CONSERVE BUNYALA FOREST IN KENYA

Event: Bunyala Forest Walk – July 2025

1. Introduction

Additional to GlobalGiving fundraising initiative, Action for Child Development Trust (ACDT) engaged the community through a local fundraising strategy, the Bunyala Forest Walk was successfully held in July 2025. The primary objective of the event was to mobilize resources for the restoration and conservation of Bunyala Forest, while raising awareness among local communities, partners, and stakeholders on the importance of environmental sustainability.

The event served as a practical demonstration of ACDT’s commitment to fostering locally driven solutions for environmental conservation and climate action.

2. Key Achievements a. Tree Planting

• A total of 13,000 tree seedlings were planted during the event- Funded by GlobalGiving and local fundraising intiative..

• Equity Bank contributed additional seedlings through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

b. Funds Raised

• Kshs 450,000 raised in cash contributions.

• Kshs 850,000 raised in-kind (including seedlings, logistics, and materials).

• Total resources mobilized: approximately Kshs 1.3 million.

c. Partnerships and Commitments During the local fundraising activity.

• Equity Bank supported the event with tree seedlings.

• One Acre Fund/Tupande committed to ongoing collaboration by supplying seedlings for future initiatives.

• Neighbours to the Forest, Bunyala Forest Community Conservation association, Tertiary institutions and school children.

• Kenya Forest Service (KFS) allocated space at the Bunyala Forest Station for ACDT to establish a tree nursery.

• Several stakeholders expressed interest in supporting the initiative annually.

d. Institutional Outcomes

• ACDT received recognition as a key local partner in forest conservation and restoration.

• The event established a platform for long-term collaboration among corporates, NGOs, and government institutions.

3. Key Outputs

• 13,000 trees planted, contributing directly to reforestation efforts.

• Tree nursery space allocated at Bunyala Forest Station to ensure sustainability of the initiative.

• Annual commitment secured from partners and stakeholders to support future forest walks.

• Enhanced visibility and credibility of ACDT in environmental conservation and local resource mobilization.

4. Outcomes and Impact

• Enhanced restoration and conservation of the Bunyala Forest ecosystem.

• Increased community awareness and participation in environmental sustainability initiatives.

• Institutionalization of the Bunyala Forest Walk as an annual flagship fundraising and conservation event.

• Strengthened local fundraising capacity through both cash and in-kind contributions, reducing dependence on external aid.

5. Conclusion

The Bunyala Forest Walk – July 2025 successfully demonstrated the power of local fundraising in advancing ACDT’s mission. By mobilizing over Kshs 1.3 million and planting 13,000 trees, the initiative not only contributed significantly to the restoration of Bunyala Forest, but also strengthened strategic partnerships and community ownership of environmental conservation.

Going forward, ACDT aims to sustain and scale this initiative annually, positioning itself as a leading grassroots organization driving community-led conservation and climate resilience in the region.

Reporting Period: Jan–Jul 2025

Project Overview

Action for Child Development Trust is proud to report continued progress in the restoration and conservation of Bunyala Forest. This initiative seeks to combat environmental degradation, promote biodiversity, and secure the ecological health of Navakholo Sub-county—while creating awareness and engaging communities in sustainable forest management.

Key Achievements and Activities

• Tree Planting:

To date, a total of 8,800 tree seedlings have been planted. We are especially grateful to Equity Bank, which generously supported this initiative by donating 5,000 seedlings—a major boost to our restoration efforts. The trees planted include a mix of indigenous and fast-growing species suitable for local soil and climatic conditions.

• Trench Opening:

We opened trenches throughout the forested area to enhance water drainage and prevent soil erosion—key measures in ensuring healthy tree growth and survival.

• Spot Weeding and Ant Hill Treatment:

Regular spot weeding was undertaken to reduce competition from invasive plants. We also treated several ant hills, which were destroying young seedlings, using eco-friendly methods to protect the forest ecosystem.

• Beat-Up (Replanting):

A beat-up exercise was carried out to replace seedlings lost due to water logging. This ensured that restoration momentum was maintained and overall forest cover continues to improve.

Community Engagement & Upcoming Events

•  Local Involvement:

We continue to engage local youth, schools, and community groups in tree planting and maintenance activities. This not only builds local ownership of the project but also empowers the next generation with knowledge on environmental conservation.

•  Fundraising Walk — 24th July 2025:

We are excited to announce a fundraising walk to support further restoration efforts in Bunyala Forest.
 Venue: Navakholo (location of the forest)
Date: 24/07/2025
The walk aims to raise awareness and mobilize resources for continued conservation work. We warmly invite all well-wishers, partners, and community members to participate or support in any way possible.

Challenges Faced

- Water logging affected seedling survival in some areas, leading to additional costs in replanting.
- Ant infestations posed a threat but were addressed through prompt and effective interventions.

Gratitude and Way Forward

We express our sincere appreciation to our donors on the GlobalGiving platform, to Equity Bank for their critical support, and to our dedicated community volunteers.

Next Steps:

• - Monitor and evaluate seedling survival rates
• - Scale up environmental education in schools and communities
• - Seek additional partnerships and donor support for sustained conservation

Together, we are restoring Bunyala Forest—one tree at a time. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

• 202507_Bunyala_Forest_Restoration_Report_Photos.docx (DOCX)