CIFOR-ICRAF has been conducting a series of trainings on Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) in forest and landscape restoration for Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in Makueni County, Kenya as part of the UK PACT project.

To date, the trainings have reached more than 600 individuals, emphasizing the importance of gender equity in achieving sustainable restoration outcomes. Over the past two years of implementation, some common themes have emerged, highlighting that many CFA members feel held back by their current level of skill in agroforestry practices and soil conservation techniques. In response, CIFOR-ICRAF followed up with technical, on-farm training in sustainable agroforestry practices and composting for soil conservation.

In 2023, the Kenyan Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry developed a national strategy, the Forest and Landscape Restoration Plan (FOLAREP) to apply nature-based solutions to conserve forests and combat land degradation. Forest conservation offers a highly effective carbon-capturing sink and maintains biodiversity and other ecosystem services.

CIFOR-ICRAF has been working to develop county-specific plans for Makueni and Taita-Taveta counties in partnership with local governments, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the African Wildlife Foundation through the UKPACT Nature-based solutions project funded by the UK government.

By Albert Mwangeka

Taita- Taveta County, Kenya: Taita Taveta County has launched the Forest Landscape Restoration Implementation Plan (FOLAREP), a bold initiative targeting the restoration of 226,420 hectares of degraded land. The launch coincided with the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, underscoring the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Understanding of African ecosystems; initiative that establishes baseline and monitoring for land degradation assessment and rehabilitation

Story and photo essay by: Anthony Ochieng Onyango and Faith Tuarari