Our Strategy

Project background

Kenya suffers from deforestation. The extensive deforestation that began under British colonial rule has resulted in the forest cover dropping from 11% to 7.4% between 1963 and 2020. But not only the forest cover, but also the forest quality has decreased. There are hardly any old trees left, especially in the vicinity of settlements, and more sensitive tree species have been strongly pushed back. Also the condition of the grassland has deteriorated. Numerous types of grass – which prevent soil erosion, provide important food for cattle and bind CO2 in the soil – have been pushed back or disappeared in many places. The consequences: lack of wood, fodder, soil erosion, desertification and precarious water and food supply.

Aim

The aim of the project is to create awareness of the consequences of overuse of natural resources, to support the natural regeneration of environmental resources, to anchor their preservation in everyday life in the long term and to make sustainably produced natural resources attractive as a source of income. This should enable long-term, independent and sustainable land management and a stable livelihood.

This is what we do

Natural habitats are embedded in a social network. If this network is supported and accompanied, the environment can also recover. Therefore Books for Trees relies on several interlocking actions:

  • Support of general education schools in nature education
  • Training by national specialists in the fields of horticulture, tree nursery keeping, permaculture, agroforestry and pasture management
  • Support in building sustainable business ideas that benefit from intact ecosystems
  • Assistance in setting up self-empowerment initiatives
  • Joint planning of restoration strategies that prioritize the food security and livelihood of the surrounding residents
  • Strategic afforestation and seeding grass to support the natural regeneration of forest and pasture areas, as well as the promotion of transverse structures to reduce soil erosion

These actions are individually coordinated with our local partners and strategically coordinated, scientifically supported, financially supported or advertised by Books for Trees as required.

Books for Trees supports project partners in the Kenyan highlands in the administrative districts of Narok, Homabay and Migori.