Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK)
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REPORT 2008
Action for Cheetahs
in Kenya (ACK)
Title: Evaluation of Community Tree Planting Project: Action for Cheetahs in Kenya
Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK)- a Not -for-profit project that promotes
conservation of cheetahs through research awareness and community participation
in Kenya.
Authors: Mary Wykstra, Noreen Mutoro, Laurie Marker
Photos from Eco sys action
ACK REPORT 2008 | 1
Summary
From March through May 2008, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) and Eco-Sys Action hosted a tree planting
project in Salama region (Makueni County) as part of the UN Billion tree campaign. ACK, formerly known as Cheetah
Conservation Fund - Kenya (CCF-K) designed the programme with support and collaboration from Cheetah Conser-
vation Fund, Namibia under the guidance of Dr. Laurie Marker. This reforestation and eco-awareness project was
aimed at educating the community about deforestation, tree planting and environmental sustainability.
Four schools from the region participated in this project. Indigenous Acacia spp., Leucaena, Cassia, decorative
Neem, Croton and Jacaranda were among the species planted. Four hundred trees were planted in four schools
in the Salama region. Each school received 20 replacement trees to account for those that had not survived the
stress of transplantation after three months. A botanical expert gave a presentation on trees and the environment,
assessed the trees planted and provided advice on issues of tree growth. An education programme was also set
up to help pupils understand the role of predators in the ecosystem.
As part of the awareness, pupils also took part in an inter-school essay writing contest themed ‘trees’. In May 2009,
each school was assessed based on the theme of the essay, number of trees that survived and involvement of
school administration. A two-day trip to the Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick’s Elephant orphanage and the Giraffe
Centre was organized for the winning school as a reward.
At the end of the project, Kavuko primary had the highest number of surviving trees followed by Ngaamba Primary,
Marwa Primary and Kima Kiu respectively. Croton had the highest survival rate compared to all the other tree
species planted during the exercise in all the four schools. In the essay writing competition, Marwa Primary was
ranked the best while Kavuko Primary emerged the overall winner of the project.
Despite of the numerous challenges, the project achieved its overall goal of rehabilitating part of the Salama
ecosystem and demonstrating to the community, especially the young people how to protect and restore their
environment.
Introduction
“I cannot live without the green trees, nor can you”
Wangari Maathai......
Trees are important components of our environment and our existence. They provide food, shade, wood energy
and building materials. Ecologically, they are responsible for regulation of microclimates, rainfall patterns and
carbon sequestration. They also provide habitats for various life forms, hold the soil to the ground and help to
harvest and retain rain water.
As the world’s forest cover continues to decline due to increased deforestation, tree planting initiatives have been
started globally not only to decrease the detrimental effects of deforestation but also to increase the world’s forest
cover. According to the Green Belt Movement, tree planting initiatives bring communities together as they build
a common purpose and encourage sustainable livelihoods and build resilience.
One such initiative is the Plant for the Planet and UN Billion Tree Campaign (BTC) launched by UNEP and its partners
in November 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya, and handed over to the Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation in December 2011 in
Durban, South Africa. This campaign brings together people, communities, organizations, business and industry,
civil society and governments driven by a common goal of planting at least one billion trees worldwide each year
to curb the effects of climate change.
As a pledge to this campaign, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) in partnership with Eco-Sys Action initiated a
tree planting project in Salama region, Makueni County in March 2008. This initiative aimed to rehabilitate part of
the Salama ecosystem which over the last 20 years had experienced increased deforestation and reduced water
2 | ACK REPORT 2008supply due to land division. It also strived to create
awareness on the need to holistically conserve the
environment for both the community and wildlife.
Four primary schools- Kavuko, Marwa, Ngaamba
and Kima Kiu - were selected to participate in this
project. Each school received 400 tree seedlings
obtained from the local nurseries. They included
Croton (Croton megalocarpus), Falcon’s claw acacia
(Acacia polycanthas), Neem (Azadiratcha indica),
Three-thorned acacia (Acacia senegal), Jacaranda
(Jacaranda mimosifolia), Cassia (Senna siamea)
and two species of Leucaena; Leucaena (Leucaena
leucocephala) and Leucaena sp. An additional 20
trees were given to each school to replace the ones
Total number of trees and species planted in each
school in March 2008.
Total number of trees and species planted in each school in March 2008
Cm Ap As J Ss L Ll Ai Total
Kavuko 15 15 15 10 10 10 10 15 100
Marwa 15 15 15 10 10 10 10 15 100
Ngaamba 15 15 15 10 10 10 10 15 100
Kima Kiu 15 15 15 10 10 10 10 15 100
Total 60 60 60 40 40 40 40 60 400
Cm-Croton megalocarpus, Ap- Acacia polycanthas, Ai- Azadiratcha indica, As-Acacia senegal, J-Jacaranda mimosifolia, Ss- Senna siamea,
L-Leucaena, Ll- Leucaena leeucocephala
A botanical expert visited each school and gave a presentation on trees and the environment. They also monitored the
trees planted after every three months and provided advice on how to care for trees. Other participants included ACK staff
and teachers. An education programme was also set up to help pupils understand the role of predators in the ecosystem.
As part of awareness creation, pupils took part in an inter-school essay writing contest themed ‘trees’. Assessment criteria
was based on the knowledge of trees and their importance, difference between indigenous and exotic trees, proper care
and management of trees.
ACK REPORT 2008 | 3The schools ranked each other’s essays while ACK did the overall ranking. In May 2009, a selection team comprising
of the ACK director, research scientist and botanical expert assessed each school based on theme of the essay, number
of trees that survived and involvement of school administration. A two-day trip to the Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick’s
Elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre was organized for the winning school as a reward.
Results and Discussion
Kavuko Primary emerged the overall winner. 30
They had the highest number of surviving
trees (n=89) at the end of the project followed 25 Cm
by Ngaamba (n=64), Marwa Primary (n=54)
and KimaKiu (n=50) respectively. Ap
Number of trees
20
Ai
Croton had the highest survival rate compared 15 As
to all the other tree species planted during
the exercise in all the four schools. This 10 Ll
was not due its drought resilience ability L
but because it was the only species used 5
as to replace the dead trees in the first J
phase. One species of tree in Kavuko and 0 Ss
Ngaamba could not be easily identified as
it lacked leaves. Kavuko Marwa Ngaamba Kima Kiu U
School
Total number of trees per species that survived in each school in 2009
In the essay contest, Marwa Primary scored the highest point of 3 followed by Kavuko Primary. Ngaamba Primary was
ranked fourth in the competition as they failed to incorporate the tree planting project in their essays. Furthermore,
majority of their essays appeared to be book researched.
In all the four schools, teachers who were interviewed showed appreciation towards the tree planting exercise.
According to them, this exercise encouraged team work and increased interaction between teachers and pupils
outside the classroom. It also demonstrated to the pupils not only how to protect and restore their environment but
also develop a sense of responsibility while taking care of the environment.
Advantages of the project according to teachers from each participating school
Description Kavuko Marwa Ngaamba Kima Kiu
1. Team work X X X
2. Awareness (Pupils) X X X X
3. Awareness- Community X X X
4. Awareness- Teachers X X
5. Beautification X X X
6. Responsibility X X X X
7. Usefulness X X
8. Indigenous knowledge X X
4 | ACK REPORT 2008During this campaign, all the four schools experienced a myriad of challenges. The main challenge faced by all the
participants was lack of adequate water for their trees as the area had been hit by a severe drought that year. Further-
more, the community did not show support towards the exercise. This was mainly due to lack of knowledge and
understanding on the values of trees. Other challenges faced included animal and pest invasion, disease, ignorance,
sabotage by competing pupils and lack of commitment from the pupils and the school administration.
Challenges faced during the project
Description Kavuko Marwa Ngaamba Kima Kiu
1. Lack of enough water X X X X
2. Animal invasion X X X X
3. Termites/ Diseases X X X X
4. Ignorance X X X X
5. Pupil interference X X
6. Lack of Cooperation X X X X
7. Little/no support (Parents) X X X X
8. Reduced morale X
9. Inadequate time X
10. Few visits X
Conclusion and Recommendation
Despite of the severe drought, the project
was considered to be a great success
based on the number of trees (50-89%)
that survived during and after the tree
planting exercise and the knowledge
imparted to the students and the commu-
nity in general. Tree planting initiatives
are important drivers of change especially
at the community level as it brings about
unity and awareness among its members.
However, in order for the exercise to be
successful capacity, commitment, proper
financing, political good will and governance
must be put in to consideration. If right
trees are planted in the right places and
their survival ensured, trees and forests
will have a significant role to play in the
global climate by reducing vulnerability
of communities to climate change.
ACK REPORT 2008 | 5About Action for Cheetahs in Kenya
Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) is a not-for-profit project governed
by Carnivores, Livelihoods and Landscapes (CaLL)- a registered Kenya
organization that links carnivore researchers and encourages joint efforts
in carnivore conservation throughout Kenya. ACK works in affiliation with
Cheetah Conservation Fund- Namibia and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
ACK projects are managed by members of the community who spear-head
research and environmental awareness projects in the community.
Its programmes aim to change the community’s perception on predators
through educating the community on sustainable use of natural resources
which help reduce conflict between communities and wild animals especially
predators.
ACK Mission: Promote the conservation of cheetahs
through research, awareness and community
participation in Kenya
For more information about ACK, please contact, info@actionforcheetahs.org
or call +254 (0)733 997 910
Email: mary.wykstra@actionforcheetahs.org or mary.wykstra@aya.yale.edu
Website: http://www.actionforcheetahs.org/ www.actionforcheetahs.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Action-for-Cheetahs-in- Kenya/152256786021
Postal address: Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, PO Box 1611-00606 Nairobi, Kenya.You can also read
