Grow Forests, Grow Communities In Mount Kenya

Restoration efforts focused on a diverse mix of indigenous species to enhance ecological resilience, support biodiversity recovery, and restore vital ecosystem services, including water regulation and carbon sequestration. 415,000 indigenous tree seedlings were planted, contributing substantially to the recovery of critical Afromontane forests within the Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kenya’s most important water catchments. Seedlings were sourced from community tree nurseries, most of which are women-led.

Key species planted in 2025 included Red Cedar, Olea africana, Juniperus procera, Hagenia abyssinica, Prunus africana, Syzygium guineense, Podocarpus latifolius, and Ficus spp. Despite challenging climatic conditions, including prolonged dry periods, frost, and irregular rainfall, the programme maintained planting momentum. Tree monitors continued inspecting the restoration sites, working alongside members of Community Forest Associations to ensure standards were maintained and tree seedlings thrived. About 11,000 seedlings were beaten up and replanted to strengthen survival under harsh weather conditions, demonstrating the value of careful management and resilient restoration strategies.

A core strength of the programme remains its community-driven restoration model, implemented through the Tree Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (TELIS). By integrating reforestation with agroforestry-based livelihood incentives, the programme directly supported 2,075 households in 2025, with community members—particularly women and youth—participating in land preparation, planting, and early-stage maintenance, while benefiting from short-term cultivation opportunities that enhanced food security and household incomes. In 2025, the programme conducted the first Livelihood Impact Survey, engaging 20 youth as enumerators, alongside a TELIS Post-Harvest Survey. Key challenges identified included high tree mortality, affecting seedling survival and crop yields; poor road and transport infrastructure, limiting market access; inadequate storage facilities for produce; and exploitation by middlemen. These findings will inform adaptive strategies to strengthen livelihoods alongside forest restoration.

Overall, the 2025 restoration programme demonstrates the tangible impact of community-led conservation.  By restoring degraded forest blocks, the programme strengthened habitat connectivity, reduced pressure on remaining intact forests, and built long-term climate resilience within the Mount Kenya ecosystem. Continued investment has enabled a scalable, evidence-based restoration model that delivers measurable returns—protecting biodiversity, addressing climate change, and improving livelihoods for forest-adjacent communities. Through this integrated approach, your support is directly translating into healthier forests and more resilient communities, ensuring lasting benefits for both people and nature.

Looking ahead, we look forward to another year of successfully restoring the ecosystem. Mount Kenya Trust will continue to mobilise public support for conservation through various engagement initiatives, including this year's upcoming Tropic Air 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge. This iconic endurance event brings together cyclists from across the globe to ride in support of forest conservation and community livelihoods within the Mount Kenya ecosystem. Participants directly contribute to restoration through their registration and fundraising, turning sporting achievement into tangible environmental impact. For more information, visit - www.10to4.0rg. This year, the event is scheduled for the 20th - 22nd of February & will include a novel 10km marathon. Supporters and partners are encouraged to register, participate, and actively champion conservation efforts, helping to sustain and expand restoration gains across Mount Kenya’s forests.

To 2026, another year of sustainably conserving the Mount Kenya Ecosystem !!!