Technology Without Borders

Tree Planting Action 2.0, Kenya, Ng’iya

About the Project

Background

Across many parts of the world, tree planting has become a central pillar of climate action and biodiversity conservation. Forests and trees play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide, stabilizing soils, regulating water cycles, and providing habitats for countless species. However, population growth, economic pressures, and limited access to alternative energy sources often lead to increased deforestation. When trees are cut faster than they are replanted, ecosystems become degraded, soils lose fertility, and local communities become more vulnerable to climate-related risks such as droughts and flooding. In Kenya, many rural households rely heavily on firewood as a primary source of energy for cooking. As a result, trees are frequently cut down, often without systematic reforestation. This situation is also evident in Siaya County, where this project is located. The continuous removal of trees has led to several environmental challenges, including soil erosion, reduced water retention capacity of the ground, and the loss of natural habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Without sufficient tree cover, rainwater runs off quickly instead of infiltrating the soil, decreasing groundwater recharge and contributing to land degradation. Over time, these impacts threaten agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and the resilience of local communities. Recognizing these challenges, previous initiatives have already laid important groundwork. In project KEN_05, a tree nursery was established at Stawisha Africa to provide a sustainable and local source of seedlings. Subsequent projects (KEN_06, KEN_07, KEN_08, KEN_09, and KEN_10) further strengthened collaboration and environmental engagement in the region. The current initiative builds directly on the achievements of KEN_05, KEN_08, and KEN_10, ensuring continuity and long-term impact rather than one-time interventions. The project will be implemented in cooperation with Stawisha Africa, a Kenyan NGO founded in 2020 to support children from challenging backgrounds. Stawisha Africa already partners with several schools in the area and maintains strong relationships within the community. A long-term cooperation with the organization is desired, as its local presence and established networks provide a solid foundation for sustainable environmental action.

Aim of the Project

The primary aim of this project is to contribute to environmental conservation and climate resilience in Siaya County by planting trees on common grounds such as schools, hospitals, and other community institutions. By focusing on public spaces, the project ensures that the benefits of tree planting—shade, improved air quality, soil stabilization, and enhanced biodiversity—are shared widely within the community. Specifically, the project will involve the planting of 400 trees on selected common grounds. The seedlings will partially be sourced from the tree nursery established at Stawisha Africa during the first Agroforestry project, thereby strengthening the sustainability of earlier efforts and supporting local capacity building. In addition to planting activities, the project will systematically record the GPS coordinates of newly planted trees. This geolocation data will allow for better monitoring, transparency, and long-term evaluation of survival rates and environmental impact. Furthermore, the project includes a review of former initiatives and the collection of geolocation data for trees planted under those projects. By consolidating and updating this information, the project enhances accountability and enables a clearer understanding of cumulative progress over time. An additional objective is to assist Stawisha Africa in maintaining and further developing the existing tree nursery. Strengthening the nursery ensures a continuous supply of seedlings for future planting campaigns and reinforces the long-term partnership between the organizations involved. Through these combined efforts—tree planting, monitoring, review of past activities, and support for local infrastructure—the project seeks to promote sustainable land management, protect biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience in Siaya County, while fostering long-term environmental stewardship within the community.