Forest YetuBi-annual Newsletter

NEWSLE TT ER

A YEAR ON! Coastal Kenya Forests In Our Hands For our Coastal Kenya Forests to bounce back, we need to stir and influence change, move from commitment to action, and build a movement of people in Kenya and beyond who believe in the urgent need to stop further forest loss while bringing back what is already lost.

The journey to achieving this was kicked off in January of 2019, when we launched a four-year public-private-people partnership project. The target is to restore and protect 30,000 hectares of terrestrial forest and mangrove ecosystems in protected areas including the unique Kaya forests. One year down the line, up to 24,000 hectares of forested land has been brought under effective protection and management through a concerted effort from Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Forest Adjacent Communities.

Degraded patches of terrestrial and mangrove forest areas have been re-planted with over 50,000 assorted indigenous tree seedlings. Sensitization of forest adjacent communities remains a critical element of a progressive development and implementation of participatory forest management plans. These engagements are the key building blocks that will ultimately guarantee the protection and sustainable utilization of forest resources into the future. As of January 2020, approximately 800-community members had been trained on sustainable forest management practices, efficient charcoal production and on legal frameworks that govern natural resources management. Having tasted the sweet fruits of conservation through sale of indigenous tree seedlings in the first year of the project, communities around the forest blocks have established tree nurseries in readiness for the second cycle of planting and for their own livelihood improvement. Members of Kaya Gandini, for example, have since developed a tree nursery with a capacity to raise 20,000 tree seedlings for rehabilitation of areas adjacent to the forest. Effective development and implementation of participatory forest restoration plans are key to thriving forest landscapes. The Kwale Landscape Forest Restoration Plan (KLFRP) developed by stakeholders in Kwale County will guide restoration of degraded forest landscapes within the county and promote tree growing in farmlands. Finally, armed with lessons from the globally acclaimed pioneer mangrove carbon offset project in Gazi, Mikoko Pamoja, the community in the greater Vanga region, launched their carbon offset facility in June 2019 with a capacity to trade 6000 t CO2/eq. with the potential to earn the community approximately Ksh. 6 million/yr. These earnings are expected to benefit the community for the 20 years crediting period. Vanga Blue Forest (VBF) was established as a local community-based organization. The International Climate Initiative (IKI) project is facilitating recruitment of a project coordinator that will manage this innovative project. The income from the sale of carbon will be channeled directly to the community. Organization structures of the VBF have been laid, with an 11-member committee already in place. Here is to planting more trees and an exciting, productive three years

Mohamed Pakia

Terrestrial Coordinator for our Coastal Kenya Programme

It is our Turn to protect Mangroves “ Mangrove forests underpin the survival of our communities here in Vanga, Jimbo and Kiwegu (VAJIKI). All our economic activities are intrinsically connected to the mangroves. Their significance however, surpasses economic value, as they are equally important ecologically and socially. Out of the nine known species of mangroves, seven species dot the various parts within the VAJIKI region.

For our community members, the mangroves benefit us in different ways; The fishermen derive mollusks, oysters, sponges and small crabs for food and as baits to catch fish. Importantly, mangroves are critical fish breeding sites. To the farmers, the mangroves are key attractants of rain that nourishes their crops and whose leaves act as fodder for their livestock absorb the air we breathe is pure because these forests store five times more carbon than terrestrial forests. The wider community is also able to derive sustainably, firewood and mud for building their houses.

Mangroves are also an important guard against erosion of the shores and act as windbreakers. They also filter toxins from flood and runoff water which drain into the ocean. They are an important source of herbal medicines, honey and dye. Deep inside mangroves forests, our elders conduct cultural and spiritual activities that include prayers and supplication. The cultural aspects continue to support our conservation efforts as a result of the self-imposed restrictions on the preservation of these sacred sections of the forests.

Our forefathers never used cement. They simply burnt corals and mangroves together to make lime. They would then use the lime to construct their stone houses. This practice as novel as it was then, is no longer sustainable. As a community, we have since abandoned the practice and embraced the use of alternative building materials with minimal impact on our natural environment.

Over the years, we have grown to appreciate the link between the mangrove forests ecosystem, seawater, seagrasses and the corals. Collectively, we now appreciate that the entire ecosystem needs to be balanced in order to enjoy the full benefits that we derive from the natural resource around us. In our efforts to conserve the mangroves, we have employed a holistic approach involving other community members to ensure that not only do the mangroves thrive, but also the entire seashore ecosystem.

Harith Salim is the chairman of Vajiki Forest Conservation Group in Vanga, Kwale County. The group recently launched the VAJIKI Community Forest Association (CFA) supported by the IKI BMU Project through the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute.

Women in Mangrove Conservation“I am one of the founding members of VAJIKI CFA. I am also the treasurer of the group. Since we began this project on mangrove conservation we have continued to ensure that there is gender parity men and women have equal roles and that our voices are heard at each decision making level. At the group level, women and youth who for a long time have been marginalized play an active role right from mangroves nursery establishment, planting, protection, undertaking training sessions and all other group-related activities.

For the longest time, gender equality within our community and especially within our group was more of enforcement – by law especially during elections of officials. Over the years, we have realized following numerous community sensitization forums by different agencies the importance of inclusion despite the initial resistance, we continue to thrive after the realization that men and women are stronger together.

When we commenced the institutionalization of the VAJIKI CFA, the youth had been largely marginalized. Mangrove forest conservation did not appeal to them. Many youths did not view conservation as a direct source of income given the high rate of youth unemployment in the region. Gradually, following months of sensitization and a visit to the renown carbon offset project Mikoko Pamoja Community Organization in Gazi, the youth are now playing a critical role in our ongoing efforts to save while deriving benefits from our mangrove forests. Together, they formed the Vanga Blue Forest CBO that is currently managing a new carbon offset project. The members are youth and women. Plans are underway to bring on board people living with disabilities to be part of the novel project whose impact in mitigating climate change is huge.” Zainab Bagamoyo is the treasurer of Vajiki Forest Conservation Group in Vanga, Kwale County. The group recently launched the VAJIKI Community Forest Association supported by the IKI BMU Project through the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute.

Role of communities in Climate change“ I call home the shores of the Indian Ocean on the Kenya and Tanzania border. I understand and have experienced the impact of climate change in a variety of ways. I understand that it is caused by the rising global atmospheric temperatures. The rising sea level= has led to increased flooding. For close to six decades that I have lived here in Vanga, I have observed a change in the rainy seasons, it’s confusing sometimes, instead of short rains for, we experience a prolonged drought season.

The winds are unpredictable and even our drinking water from the shallow wells has become salty. Our livestock develops diseases that while we humans suffer deaths and water-borne diseases as an indirect impact of climate change due to floods. Dead seagrasses and coral reefs as a result of increased oceanic temperatures have resulted in reduced fish stocks which is our main source of food and income. It’s now a norm to see wildlife from nearby forests roaming in our neighbourhoods in search of pasture and water during prolonged droughts and trigger human-wildlife conflict.

While our contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is minimal, we are already doing little things for our planet. Our communities have been engaged in wanton tree felling for wood and construction and burning of grasslands. As a group with the support of organizations such as WWF, we have been sensitizing communities on the impact of their activities.

Driven by poverty many farmers in the past resorted to slash and burn to clear farmland. Now, with affordable mechanization, they are able to utilize tractors and oxen. Additionally, as part of easing the pressure on our fragile forests for wood fuel, we are working with community members to establish woodlots for domestic consumption. We believe if we make small changes and adopt sustainable practices, we will contribute to climate change impact and mitigation. Mwichambi Kai is the vice-chairman of VAJIKI Forest Conservation Group in Vanga, Kwale County. The group recently launched the VAJIKI Community Forest Association supported by the IKI BMU Project through the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute.

WWF Kenya .:|:. The Mvuli, Mvuli Road off Wayaki Way Nairobi, Kenya .P.O. Box 62440 - 00200, Tel +254 20 387 7355 .:|:. info@wwfkenya.org .:|:. wwfkenya.org/

Why we are here.

www.panda.org/cea

To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment andto build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

This project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.