LEAF BEGINS ITS SCHOOLS OUTREACH PROGRAMME

Our new schools outreach programme began in Kenya with the visit of Kilimoni Primary School to our Pwani project. Our botanists met the kids and taught them about the importance of trees, why we need to conserve them and why we are using indigenous trees. LEAF staff showed them around our nursery and talked about each of the tree species growing there, whilst also giving them a chance to touch and feel them. Each pupil has been assigned a tree to take care of, giving them a chance to learn about how a tree grows whilst helping us to maintain the grounds. The children were enthusiastic, eager to learn and had lots of fun. We hope to continue to engage the next generation, show them the importance of trees and spread knowledge through the community.

30 January 2021

CONSTRUCTION OF OUR PWANI NURSERY CONTINUES

The construction of our new seedling nursery in Pwani continues to make good progress. This month the floor was completed with the laying of quarry dust. The dust was laid down, levelled and compacted before a new walkway and centrepiece was paved. Over time, the quarry dust will settle further and give the floor more strength.

30 January 2021

PROPAGATING SEEDS AND PREPARING SOIL

This week, propagation of our seeds began in our Pwani project. Bauhinia mombassae and Tarminilia catappa were the first species to be propagated. Our botanists made use of the scientific literature to ensure the seeds were broken and germinated properly to maximise their survival chances. Meanwhile, our botanists began preparing the soil by mixing and homogenising it with nutrient-rich manure. Using this soil, they then potted the seeds in recycled milk cartoons and package bags, getting them ready for germination later in the year.

23 january 2021

500 SEEDS COLLECTED IN PWANI

The new year started on a high note in Pwani. The botany staff began the year by collecting 500 seeds from 11 indigenous tree species located in Pwani University’s botanical garden. Some seeds will be propagated in our new nursery, whilst others will contribute to a seed collection in collaboration with the Kilifi museums. Combined they will help safeguard the future of these species.

16 January 2021

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON OUR PWANI NURSERY

Construction of our new seedling nursery in Pwani, Kenya, has begun. During the first few weeks of December 2020, the frame of the nursery was assembled and painted. Special red oxide paint was used to protect it from rust, with an extra black coat applied to make it more durable. The next steps will be to add some shade netting to protect the seedlings from the harsh tropical sun.

19 December 2020

SEEDS BEGIN GERMINATING IN PWANI

This week, our seeds received from the Kenyan Forestry Service began germinating. Many of the seedlings have been growing quickly, so our botantists have been transferring them to larger bags. We are using recycled cement bags to provide a sustainable, alternative solution to single-use plastic bags.

19 december 2020

MAPPING PWANI’S CONSERVATION ZONES

Our botanists have been busy mapping and zoning the Pwani University Botantical Gardens to provide manageable conservation areas. Some of these areas will be used in our experiments to maximise the effectiveness of our restoration work.

19 december 2020

LEAF MEETS THE PWANI BOTANICAL SOCIETY

Our Pwani botanists met the Pwani Botanical Society. They showed them around our site and told them all about our plans to restore forest in the university grounds.

19 december 2020

LEAF LAUNCHES

The Little Environmental Action Foundation officially launched during National Tree Week 2020 from 28th November to 6th December. As part of our launch, we started a new fundraising campaign, aiming to raise £3000 for a new seedling nursery in Pwani, Kilifi County, Kenya. We successfully raised £3112 during our launch event meaning we can now begin construction of the new nursery. Your kind donations will help us to grow Kenya’s native endangered tree species for our restoration efforts. Located in the Eastern African Coastal Forest Biodiversity Hotspot, Pwani provides a strategic location for restoring this threatened ecosystem where all of its endemic tree species are predicted to go extinct by 2050. The construction of the new nursery is just the start of our adventure. If you would like to support us, please continue to donate, share our stories and become a #theLEAF champion.

6 december 2020

LEAF COMMITS TO THE UN DECADE ON RESTORATION

LEAF recently outlined how it will fulfill the United Nations’ ten point strategic plan for the upcoming Decade on Restoration.

1 december 2020

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOR KENYA’S THREATENED TREES

LEAF recently joined a workshop to create a framework for protecting Kenya’s threatened trees. Organised by Botanic Gardens Conservation International in partnership with the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Kenya Forest Service and the Eastern African Plant Red List Authority, the workshop identified the threats, priorities and stakeholder commitments to some of Kenya’s most threatened ecosystems. Included was the East African Coastal Forest where LEAF is actively engaging in restoration work. LEAF has pledged to support the framework via its endangered species tree nursery and tree planting efforts.

5 November 2020

Mangroves help protect lives

Find out how in our latest blog

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