CapEQ in partnership with Ecologi has backed conservation efforts to restore the Mau Forest in SW Kenya.
Work began in 2021 to repair high altitude forest in the Rift Valley from decades of clearance, over-grazing and prolonged drought.
Californian NGO Eden Reforestation and local project manager Kass FM have planted 14 million saplings to date to provide a lifeline for people and wildlife.
Eden hires local community members to grow, plant and care for the trees – providing fair wage employment, and ancillary benefits in education, nutrition and cleaner water systems.
A Visit to the Planting Sites
In September 2022, CapEQ’s environmental partner Ecologi visited the Mau Region to witness the project in action. The visit was an inspiring journey into the heart of conservation.
At the nurseries in Tendwet and Nkoben (Narok County), rows of seedlings thrive under the care of dedicated nursery workers. Each seedling bed is labeled with hand-painted signs showing the local and Latin names of the species, emphasising the team’s deep knowledge and commitment.
The planting process is meticulous — clearing grass, digging a hole, placing the seedling, and watering it to help it settle into its new home.
Walking through the forest, they saw the remarkable growth of trees planted just months earlier. One tree, planted seven months prior, had already grown over six feet tall—a testament to the project’s success.
Conservation as a Climate Solution
Efforts like these are critical not only for Kenya but for the planet.
Forest restoration is a powerful tool against climate change. Temperate forests alone, which cover 1.9 billion acres worldwide, are key carbon sinks. Expanding reforestation could sequester even more carbon, mitigating global warming.
However, forests face threats like droughts, wildfires, and pests. This makes restoration projects like those in Kenya vital, blending ecological renewal with community resilience.
How M&A Provides Hope for the Future
The reforestation efforts in the Mau Forest are more than planting trees — they’re about restoring balance, supporting communities, and protecting the planet. By addressing deforestation and empowering locals, projects like Eden’s are paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
Through collective action, we can help Kenya thrive.
