Planting trees is good, but sensitizing on the best trees to plant, why to plant them, and how to care for them is vital to ensure best survival rates. We run our sensitization program in schools and communities.
Youths are tomorrow’s adults. We sensitize them on issues like climate change and the essential role of biodiversity in humans’ existence to make appropriate decisions in the future. And we train adults on understanding the critical role played by trees in ecosystems.
Sensitizing the youth allows them to take appropriate actions in the future to conserve and better the environment. Our youth sensitization program happens in primary and secondary learning institutions (from 10 to 18 years old). We teach about the importance of indigenous trees for biodiversity, soil fertility, rain attraction, and water table replenishing. Since 2017, we have sensitized 57,789 youths. We also plant trees with them as part of the sensitization program.
As part of our tree distribution program in 2023, we sensitize each of our 2,178 beneficiaries on the importance of trees for human existence. They also receive 80 indigenous trees of 40 different species and they are trained on how to take care of them. > LEARN MORE
The teaching aims to shift the perception of rural communities towards trees from tree cutting (firewood, charcoal burning, and timber) to trees’ environmental benefits, which have a direct positive impact on communities’ livelihoods.
Deforestation contributes to depleting our water tables. Bare land causes surface runoff that prevents groundwater replenishment.
Trees’ roots dig deep into the soil, increasing soil porosity and creating channels through which rainwater sips in and replenishes the water table.
While forested areas attract rainfalls, deforested areas create high atmospheric pressure, which chases away clouds (biotic pump).
Forested areas tremendously reduce soil heat which fosters low atmospheric pressure, thus making the environment favorable for rain.
Deforestation and conventional farming practices deplete organic soil matter and soil moisture. An escalation in these activities reduces crop production.
Tree leaves fall and decompose to form organic soil matter, and their roots provide a habitat for bacteria, fungi, insects and other animals.
Deforestation is causing disappearance of insects, birds, and other living organisms that depend on trees for survival.
Trees provide food and habitat to a large percentage of living beings, thus conserving biodiversity.
EMAUA is a Swiss-Kenyan project focused on creating a scalable model for reforesting tropical areas with native and diverse trees, while simultaneously improving the quality of life for local communities.
