Post: NGOs Collaborate with Government to Restore Wire Forest in Homabay County

Nairobi: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Rachuonyo South Subcounty are joining forces with government institutions to rehabilitate degraded areas of Wire Forest through various initiatives. Wyclife Ochieng, the project officer for the Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust, the lead organization in this effort, announced plans to plant 100,000 tree seedlings over the next two years.According to Kenya News Agency, the "Our Lives, Our Land" project, led by Mr. Ochieng, successfully planted 10,000 tree seedlings last year. Wire Forest spans approximately 387.7 hectares, with some sections in dire need of replenishment, as highlighted by Wire Forest Station Officer Fredrick Ndiga. The conservation program, funded by Noel Parkston in the UK with an investment of approximately Sh3 million, aims to rehabilitate and protect trees in Wire Forest and other degraded areas.The project collaborates with Kenya Forest Services, WIFOMA, and community members to plant 5,000 seedlings at Wire Forest. The initiative also runs field schools to empower households surrounding the forest to protect rather than destroy it. Additional projects, such as beekeeping, organic kitchen gardening, and tree nurseries, aim to empower the community to avoid encroachment into the forest for resources like firewood and charcoal.Mr. Ochieng expressed gratitude for the community's support, local administration, and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust also distributes tree seedlings to primary schools, having recently provided around 6,000 seedlings to schools in the Kosele and Wang'chieng' areas of Rachuonyo North Subcounty.Chrispine Osunga, chairperson of the Wire Forest Management Association (WIFOMA), stated that their tree planting project, Re-greening, aims to restore degraded parts of Wire Forest in collaboration with various organizations. WIFOMA, established in September 2012, prioritizes sustainable forestry and community-driven plans.Rachuonyo South Sub County Forest Officer Herbert Imbuka praised community volunteers for their tree planting efforts to conserve the forest and mitigate climate change impacts. He noted the importance of training farmers to raise quality seedlings for distribution to local sites.Fredrick Ndiga, Wire Forest Station Officer, highlighted the partnership with WIFOMA and the Mango Tree Orphan Support Programme as pivotal in conservation efforts, reducing illegal tree poaching and fostering community engagement. Mr. Ndiga urged public participation in tree planting beyond designated conservation areas to further the initiative's impact.The collaboration plans to engage technical and vocational colleges for site visits to promote tree planting awareness. The concerted efforts aim to achieve the presidential directive of raising 15 billion trees in the next decade, emphasizing the significance of Wire Forest conservation for present and future generations.