Rediscovering ITF’s deep roots

Earlier this month, I travelled to Kenya to spend time with our dedicated, skilled team and see first-hand the impact of ITF’s work on the ground.

There’s so much I’d love to share from this trip, and I’ll write more in the future, but today, I want to focus on two powerful moments – both deeply connected to ITF’s past and filled with hope for the future.

The first moment came in the foothills of Mount Kenya, at Irangi Forest in Embu County, where ITF – then known as Men of the Trees or Watu wa Miti in Swahili – was founded over a century ago. There, we met 90-year-old Njagi Kangerwe, who still helps care for a thriving community tree nursery filled with native and endangered tree seedlings. His deep knowledge of the surrounding forest is treasured by younger generations.

“I remember the Men of the Trees who were older than me,” he told us. “They planted trees not far from here.”

We drove to the edge of the national forest in search of these trees planted back in 1956. And then, suddenly, we found them – majestic East African camphor trees (Ocotea usambarensis), towering above us. Native to the region but increasingly threatened, these trees are known as “elephant medicine” because elephants seek out their leaves when they are unwell. Their sweet-smelling leaves are also used in traditional medicine and cuisine.

But ITF’s legacy isn’t just about the trees that have been planted – it’s about the people, too. Standing beside Njagi were his son Zachari, Chair of the local restoration group, and his grandson David, who had joined us for the visit. Three generations of forest restorers and stewards, with young great-grandchildren waiting in the wings. Today, their nursery is growing Camphor seedlings from seeds collected from trees like the ones we visited, ensuring that the next  restoration chapter continues.

The second unforgettable moment came at an ITF restoration site larger than Hyde Park. Seven years ago it was nearly barren – devoid of trees, with little sign of wildlife. Now, nature has taken over. The canopy has closed in, and new life is everywhere – shoots are coming up from the ground, and the sun is dappling through the leaves above us. As we stood in that peaceful forest, we could hear a chorus of birdsong echoing through the trees.

Standing in that young, peaceful forest, I felt the depth of ITF’s roots. Not just in history, but in the future we’re growing together. The seeds we plant today in forests and communities will flourish for generations to come.

Restore forests for tomorrow

Your donation today will help to plant trees which, 70 years from now, will be standing tall and proud in a thriving forest.