Seeds of change: Uniting communities for a greener, more prosperous future

A transformation is unfolding in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.

Restoration, regeneration and hope are changing the face of some of Kenya’s most vulnerable regions—West Pokot, Nyandarua and Marsabit, rekindling a profound connection between the people and the land they depend on.

ITF is part of a bold project with an incredible vision: to restore 250 hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2029. It was launched back in February with joyful tree planting events and a football tournament celebrating conservation.

Since then, the project has achieved remarkable transformation, empowering communities and breathing life into the once-parched soil.

Celebrating the launch with group tree planting

Spectacular growth with tree nurseries

In six months, a remarkable 212,316 trees have taken root thanks to the project, enriching and restoring land which was on the brink of ecological collapse.

This includes 50,000 indigenous trees and more than 135,000 agroforestry trees, which are enriching the soil and improving harvests on farms and homesteads.

In West Pokot, the first-ever community-run tree nurseries in Kaitlal and Sinenden villages are thriving, largely managed by local women.

ITF tree nurseries encourage women to become confident restorers and stewards of nature — A thriving woman-led nursery in West Pokot

Meanwhile, a nursery in Marsabit run by young people and women’s groups has been restocked with more seedlings, ready to make yet more impact.

In the arid region of Ndaragwa, where the land has long suffered from drought, the demand for tree seedlings has surpassed supply, a testament to the growing public awareness and support for reforestation.

The success of these nurseries has been helped by a good amount of rainfall and the enthusiastic involvement of local communities.

Job skills and livelihoods

But this project is about more than just planting trees—it's about planting seeds of resilience in local communities.

Over the past six months, 443 people have gained employment through tree planting activities, with 58% of them being women and 27% youth. These aren’t just short-term jobs; they’re a chance for individuals to learn vital skills that will empower them well into the future.

Our projects plant trees but also create employment and train communities in vital job skills — Communities training in a new skill

Stewardship in schools

Environmental stewardship programmes are also taking root in local schools. Ten schools in West Pokot are actively involved in tree planting, teaching the next generation about responsibility and about taking pride in protecting their environment. Rainwater harvesting tanks have been installed, ensuring that newly planted trees survive even in dry seasons.

Marsabit’s Logologo Girls Secondary School has even woven tree planting into their curriculum, inspired by the real-life transformations they've seen thanks to the new trees.

The new legacy of conservation in education will inspire and benefit these regions for generations, helping them to truly thrive.

Restoring Africa

ITF is proud to be a part of TerraFund as they work towards AFR100, or the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative. This project unites 34 African nations, with the goal of bringing 100 million hectares of degraded land into restoration by 2030.

TerraFund is funding restoration work in several countries, including Rwanda, Ghana and, of course, Kenya. There, TerraFund, ITF and local communities are enriching swathes of barren land, bringing back a lush, beautiful forest.

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