History of Tree is Life Trust
Tree Is Life started in 2002 under the auspices of the Nyahururu
Catholic parish (now a Diocese) as a training and capacity building
community-based project to promote environmental conservation
and awareness as well as improve the livelihoods of rural and
urban communities. It was initiated mainly to address environmental
degradation & massive forest destruction that was being
experienced in parts of Laikipia and Nyandarua Districts (Now
Nyandarua North and Laikipia West Districts) in Kenya in the
preceding years and promote sustainable use of natural resources.
Initially activities targeted self-help groups environmental
clubs in learning institutions and the wider public. The
clubs and groups undergo training in agro-forestry, organic
farming and institutional strengthening. They are then assisted
to start tree nurseries and other eco-friendly activities
in their localities. The idea is to ensure availability of
seedlings from sources that are accessible to members of the
community wherever and whenever they are needed for planting
in their compounds and public places.
In 2004, with the growing interest in community participation
in forest management and calls for the review of the existing
forest law, a component on forest associations was started
to empower communities living around forests in participatory
forest management approaches.
A new law that will guide forest management in Kenya
was enacted in 2005. The new law recognizes among others
the important role that communities can play and encourages
their participation in the management of forests in collaboration
with the Kenya Forest Service and other stakeholders.
In July 2003, Tree is Life received funding to implement
an awareness project under COMPACT (Community Management of
Protected Areas Conservation), an initiative of the Global
Environment Facility and United Nations Foundation. The project,
Brush Against the Power Saw, was aims to create awareness
to the communities around the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site
on the need to conserve its biodiversity for posterity. The
main activities are environmental mural paintings, environmental
features on local, national and international newspapers,
publishing posters and erecting metal tree-shaped signboards
with short messages along the main roads.
Tree is Life was registered as a Trust in August 2006. The
activities of the Trust are
focused on four components: Self Help Groups, School environmental
clubs, forest Associations and Awareness raising in six divisions.
Ndaragwa and Ol Joro Orok (In Nyandarua North District) and
Nyahururu, Rumuruti, Ng’arua and Ol Moran (In Laikipia
West District). These boundaries are however only for coordination
purposes and are not limiting especially in situations where
issues being addressed go beyond the administrative boundaries.
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