On Saturday, March 28, the day before Earth Hour, volunteers gathered at the edge of the Ngong Hills, southwest of Nairobi. Together, they planted 1,500 native trees. The effort was organized by the Ngong Hills Community Forest Association, WWF-Kenya, the Kenya Forest Service and several local businesses.
The Ngong Hills Community Forest Association (CFA) is a local community organization that has worked for years to protect the forest. Together with WWF-Kenya, the CFA has adopted 25 hectares of the Ngong Hills Forest for long-term restoration. Five hectares have been restored since October 2024. Another hectare will follow in the coming week.
The forest is more than a green patch on the map. It serves as a water catchment, regulates the climate for surrounding settlements and provides habitat for dozens of animal species. It also offers recreation and protects against flooding.
WWF-Kenya emphasized that the involvement of local community organizations and the private sector demonstrates the importance of collective action for restoration. The partners had made their hour count by contributing time, energy and resources.
Nineteen hectares still await restoration. The work continues, tree by tree.
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