Conservation group calls for more funding to sustain planted trees
TAF CEO Fannuel Boaz Onyango said large-scale tree-growing programmes need funding for seedlings, transportation, water systems, equipment, personnel and long-term maintenance.
NAIROBI, Kenya – Conservation advocates are urging for more financial support to ensure the survival of newly planted trees in Kenya, as inadequate resources could jeopardize the country's tree-growing initiatives. The Tree Adoption Foundation (TAF) warns that merely planting trees is insufficient, as seedlings demand ongoing care, including water, monitoring, and maintenance to thrive.
TAF's CEO, Fannuel Boaz Onyango, emphasizes that large-scale tree-planting programs necessitate funding for seedlings, transportation, water systems, equipment, personnel, and long-term upkeep. Onyango stresses that planting millions of trees is crucial, but sustaining their survival requires sustained investment and community participation.
He highlights the need for collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, communities, development partners, and conservation organizations to maintain tree-growing efforts. Onyango points out that climate change and environmental degradation are challenges that cannot be tackled by a single institution alone. TAF reports that prolonged dry seasons have exacerbated the survival rates of newly planted trees, particularly in degraded areas, underscoring the urgent need for timely watering and other interventions.
The foundation actively supports communities grappling with environmental degradation, addressing issues such as wetland and water catchment area loss, soil erosion, and biodiversity decline. Its work includes tree planting, forest and wetland restoration, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, renewable energy promotion, environmental education, and sustainable livelihood development.
TAF has undertaken conservation activities in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Siaya counties and aims to extend its operations to all 47 counties of Kenya. The organization has planted 3.27 million trees through its Jaza Miti national tree-growing platform, placing it at 22nd among participating organizations nationally. The Kenyan government has set a target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of its broader strategy to enhance tree cover and rehabilitate degraded landscapes.
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