Magarini is located on the Coast of Kenya and is boarded by the Indian Ocean to the east, Kilifi North to the North, Malindi Constituency to the south, and Ganze Constituency to the West. it is approximately 5,229 square kilometers. This makes it the second largest constituency in Kilifi County, after Ganze Constituency.
In Kilifi, as of 2010, Magarini had the most tree cover at 83.3kha compared to an average of 24.7kha. Magarini and Kilifi North constituted to 69% of the tree cover in Kilifi County out of the five constituencies. According to a report by Global Forest Watch
Forest cover lost as at 2010
The same report shows that Magarini lost 13.4Kha of tree cover equivalent to a 19% decrease in the tree cover in the past 23 years, and 3.32Mt of Carbon Dioxide emissions. Magarini has experienced an adverse change in the tree cover since 2000-2020 amounting to – 16%. If the same trend continues it’s feared that Magarini will end up losing over 25% in the next seven years.
What are the causes of forest cover loss?
The population of Magarini as at the Census statistics of 2019 was 191,610. An increase in population results in an increase in the area of settlement. More and more acres of land have been cleared to create space for people to settle
The leading cause of forest cover loss is Charcoal burning. From the statistics 200 motorcycles carrying 8 sacks of charcoal cross through Sabaki bridge from Magarini every day before midday. It’s an indication that more and more forest cover is being cleared to find wood for Charcoal burning. The residents of this location do get their daily bread from charcoal burning and selling. Livestock keeping, Magarini residents are mostly pastoralists. They keep goats and sheep. The goats feed mostly on shrubs but when the severe droughts hit. The goats turn to the bump of trees marking the trees dry due to destruction. This has made land under afforestation difficult due to the goats that eat the young trees if the land is not fenced. Way forward As One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, we visited the areas and did a little research. The best way to increase the land under forest cover and protect the remaining forest cover is through evolving the community in environmental conservation activities. We purchased a few acres of land that will be used as a model by the community members on how they plant trees and still use it as an economic activity. The land has been integrated in such a way that the trees planted can still grow land also it can support other cash crops like millet, cassava, sweet potatoes, and ground nuts. By doing so the farmers can plant trees and also make their daily bread from the same.
We have also evolved the residents in forums about how to make seedlings beds. After the seedlings are ready for planting, the trees are bought from the farmers. This encourages the community to engage in this ecosystem restoration activities knowing that they can get money to keep their families running. This is a safer way of earning income than burning Charcoal and transporting it over 90 km. We are also involving schools within the region in tree-planting activities. Schools like Marafa Secondary School where we visited and planted over 1000 trees in May 2023. We believe that through training the young, we can safeguard our future. The students who school in these schools mostly come from the Magarini region. One student represents close to 30 community members. This means if we train 1000 students then we have trained 30,000 community members. Through collaboration and awareness creation the ecosystem which once existed will be restored. The animals and plants that are endangered will be guarded and the community will have better ways of getting their daily bread. We shall have saved Magarini.
OneMilliontrees4Kilifi is an initiative directed towards #Callingbacktherains through planting 1,000,000 trees in Kilifi county. This is achievable through partnering with students and pupils in 400 plus schools in greater the County. By planting fruit and other trees in schools, children will have access to fruits to eat when they are in season and a cool, shaded environment to learn from. The enhanced tree cover will contribute to micro-climate our environment and call back the rains , which have failed over the past few years.
The organisation mission is to call back the rains. The vision is to see green Kilifi with increased annual precipitation.
The organisation has been able to roll out various programs like, 100 schools 100 students 1000 trees , this program focuses on the more than 400 school in Kilifi county. We have selected a few pioneer school and planted fruity trees to provide shade and food in the near future. Green City program, this initiative is aimed at having the town greened by planting trees on the road reserves, parking lots and gardens situated within the town. Acre Forests, this is where we engage the farmers who own large pieces of land in order to set a side a fraction of it for the purposes of growing trees. Save our Trees, this program is meant to create awareness to the community about the importance of forest cover and why we should protect our tress from being cut.
From January to April Onemilliontrees4kilifi has organised twelve events for tree planting in Kilifi county as a way of realising the governments #Jazamiti initiative. Our first opening year event was held at Buntwani park Malindi Kilifi. We where joined by 73 people and we planted 153 trees at Buntwani Park. The reason we choose to plant trees at this park are as follows.
Buntwani is found at the heart of Malindi town. It being the only resting place from the hot sun of Malindi we realised that it had only 26 trees. to increase the tree cover for people to have shade to sit under and reduce carbon emitted by the industries and other machines.
Buntwani being a park, many people visit it, by them enjoying shade from trees they are able to appreciate the importance of doing the same at there homes and villages. It is the best way to create awareness to the community
The trees will act as wind breakers, thus shielding the structures near the ocean line from being carried away by the wind.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 153 REMAINING 999,847
On 4th March we visited Shomani Girls School in Kakuyuni Kilifi County. We where able to plant 200 trees at the school compound. Shomani being a newly built school it had limited number of trees in their compound until we visited. Now the school will have a small park where the learners are able to sit and carry out their studies from. Most of the girls come from around the school and they will reciprocate the same at there home area when school closes. The Principal of Shomani Md Peninah was glad for our visit and the school actively participated in the tree planting event. That is how we celebrated WANGARI MATHAAI day
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 353 REMAINING 999,647.
During the opening ceremony of Noc-K games we also had the privillege of planting 20 more trees at Buntwani park to remember the first time Malindi hosted the event. Onemilliontrees4kilifi planted trees with the NOC-K president, Dr. Paul Tergat and Kilifi Governor Hon. Gideon Mun’garo
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 373 REMAINING 999,627.
Later on in March, 21st we took our Onemilliontrees4kilifi campaign to Pwani University. With the invitation from Pwani University and the Environmental club we planted 100 trees at the University premises near the Runda hostel. This will give the comrades a garden to carry out their research and also motivate them to plant more trees in future. This being the international forest day we left a mark that will be forever emulated.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 473 REMAINING 999,527.
#Onemilliontrees4kilifi ensures that the trees we plant have a successful growth of 100 percent. To ensure this happens we do follow up which includes tree replacement and weeding. On April 2rnd we did weed 143 trees and replaced 12 of them. Through doing this we are able to keep track on the number of trees we have planted.
On April 6th we took our fight to Kakuyuni Boys situated in Malindi. During our visit we formed an Environmental Club consisting of 63 learners. We enlighted the learners on what is expected of them. How they can be able to contribute to COP28, UNFCC and UN Environmental summits. After that we went ahead and planted 273 trees. the trees where strategically planted around the class and on the highways. This is to protect the learners from the heat and dust that is normally carried by wind to the classes.
On 8th April we took our fight to Ganda Secondary School. Ganda being a local school with girls likely to get married before completing their studies. We partnered with other stakeholders to motivate the students on the importance of learning and concentrating on their studies. After an impressive and satisfying talk with them, we embarked on tree planting. 58 BambaKofi, 70 Majidea and 80 Mivinje where planted. A total of 208 trees. Each student was assigned a tree and gave it a name. Most of the learners were using names of apparatus from the lab, like thermometer š”ļø, beaker, and so on. This proved that by planting trees learners can enhance their studies.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 954 REMAINING 999,046.
Our 7th station was Jilore High School. We where welcomed by the Principal Mr Wesindi. Jilore is one of the the oldest school around with vast land but little percentage is covered by trees.We planted 203 trees in the school premises, between the classes and the administration block. Due to lack of fence around the school the student created hat-like structures around the trees to protect them from goats and human disturbance. We plan to go back and do 5 acres of forest cover before the year end.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 1157 REMAINING 998,843.
On 14th April our goal for achieving one million trees for Kilifi was taken to Kakoneni girls school. By the help of the Wildlife Club and educators at the School a total of 345 trees where planted. The tree types included 10 Quavas, 20 Neem trees, 55 Bambakofi, 100 Majidea and 160 Kasaurina. The wildlife club members where very pleased to engage in the tree planting event. Through that they where able to be motivated to continue taking care of the environment. One of the girls was quoted saying āI must join the university to make more impact on the environmentā This shows that the little things we do create a lot of impact.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 1502 REMAINING 998,498.
On 15th April we where blessed to host Cabinet Secretary Hon Aisha Jumwa at Shomani girls where we added 20 more trees with her. We then proceeded to FB Tuva secondary where we planted trees in convection with the
Wildlife club members and ten teachers.
The types of trees planted where
1. Mijidea- 100
2. Mivinje – 90
3. Mkwaju – 60
It was good to share with the young ambitious boys and girls on the importance of planting trees and going green. We congratulated the students because they use bicycles to come to school thus zero Carbon. We lunched a nursery bed which.will be taken care by the wildlife members.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 1752 REMAINING 998,248.
Acre forest is one of the programs that will enable our farmers engaged in tree planting and care. On 16th April a team of us mobilized residence of Ganda ward and Shella ward in Malindi. At first they did not see the importance of planting trees. However after being educated about the same they bought the idea. 750 trees. Where planted on that day. The tree types included,
1. Mivinje-150
2. Mikorosho-100
3. Borea – 150
4.Mchungwi- 250
5. Bambakofi-100
The community members of these two wards requested for more trees. They where too grateful on the gesture we showed them.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 2452 REMAINING 997,498
Before the schools closed for the first term break, we paid a visit to Mogotini Secondary. We appreciate the school and the Agriculture teacher for putting in extra energy towards planting trees. He has really transformed the school through greening it. By donating 205 trees it was nice to see students toil in order to make sure the trees are well-planted and watered. That marked our 12th station which was a wonderful one .
Mogotini Sec Girls during tree planting
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 2657 REMAINING 997,293
With the first quarter of the year looking such beatific, having planted 2657trees. We believe that by having transport facility and seedlings we shall be able to tenth the number of trees in the coming quarter.
We like to pass our appreciation to Maono Space, Lit Initiative, Wadadia, Eunoia, Arocha, CJPD, Kilifi youth assembly and Kilifi human right centre for standing with us and participating in the events. Kudos.
In December 2021, our organization, One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, witnessed the birth of a remarkable addition to Malindiās landscape – the Buntwani Waterfront Park. Nestled beside the pristine Indian Ocean, this park perfectly embodies our vision to create a greener and more vibrant city for our community.
Over the years, Buntwani Waterfront Park has lost some charm and allure due to increased pollution and a lack of greenery. As One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, our organization is committed to environmental preservation, and we could not bear to see this precious public park lose it’s meaning.
Clearly, something needed to be done to restore its beauty and revitalize it for the community to enjoy. With an unwavering dedication to environmental preservation, we took it upon ourselves to transform Buntwani into a lush and captivating green space. Our mission was twofold – to beautify the park and embrace the natural splendor of the nearby Indian Ocean. We envisioned a place that offered a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life and fostered a strong connection between people and nature.
The Value of Green Spaces and Butwani
Importance
Green spaces are not just aesthetically pleasing; they play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for urban dwellers. Butwani, being the only public park in Malindi, holds special significance for our local community.
It serves as a gathering spot for families and friends and a place for leisurely strolls, picnics, and recreational activities.
As an organization, we understood that a well-maintained park could foster a sense of community and bring people closer to nature, resulting in improved physicalĀ and mental well-being.
Our Vision
Recognizing the importance of green spaces, we set out to revitalize Butwani and make it a green sanctuary for all. Our goals were multi-faceted:
ļ· Creating Shade and Reducing Wind and Dust: We embarked on a tree-planting campaign, carefully selecting diverse trees to provide much-needed shade for visitors and act as a natural barrier against the relentless winds and dust from the nearby ocean.
ļ· Educational Opportunities: We saw the project as an opportunity to educate the community about the significance of trees and their role in the environment. By introducing a variety of tree species, we created an excellent platform for fostering learning about biodiversity and ecological conservation.
ļ· Community Engagement: Tree planting became a bonding experience for families and the entire community. It strengthened social ties and instilled a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the park.
ļ· Preserving Endangered Trees: In our efforts to beautify Butwani, we also played a part in preserving endangered tree species, thus contributing to the regionās biodiversity conservation.
Challenges Faced and Overcoming Adversity
Throughout the project, we encountered several challenges:
1. Water Availability: Initially, some of the trees we planted did not survive due to a lack of water. To address this issue, we collaborated with the local government and park management to secure a borehole, ensuring a steady water supply for the newly planted trees.
Tree replacement
2. Human Interference: Despite our efforts, human interference from park visitors threatened the growing saplings.
We initiated a public awareness campaign to counterthis, educating visitors about the projectās objectives. Additionally, we organized tree-planting family events, encouraging the community active participation in nurturing the green space.
Positive Outcomes and Community Engagement
Our perseverance and dedication were fruitful in the following ways:
1. A Cleaner and Greener Space: Butwani transformed into a cleaner and greener space, attracting more visitors and fostering a sense of pride among the locals.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: The project fostered engagement and collaboration among various stakeholders, including government bodies, the local community, and environmental enthusiasts. This united effort contributed to the parks restoration and maintenance.
3. Creation of Employment Opportunities for Youth: The project also generated employment opportunities for the youth of Kilifi, promoting sustainability and socio-economic development.
Conclusion
The transformation of Butwani, spearheaded by One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the significance of green spaces in improving the quality of life. The success of our project has created a lasting impact on the people of Malindi, inspiring them to cherish and preserve this newfound gem in our city. As we continue to recognize the importance of green spaces, let us support and engage in such endeavors as a united community to create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable world for future.
Kilifi is a county found in the Coastal region of Kenya. It is rated as an arid and semi-arid location where the rainfall that is received is not enough to enable farmers to plant crops and keep their livestock all year in. After spending over four years in Kilifi and visiting one hundred schools in the County I discovered that the leaders in the schools located in the deep villages in the County still suffer from Malnutrition. This is due to the fact that the community cannot be able to provide a balanced diet to school-going children. One reason is the crops planted and the ones which are affordable in the food market are mostly starch that is Maize and Cassava. The students not only suffer from malnutrition but also lack a safe space from the hot sun to rest during the hot sun in Nov to Feb. Most of the schools do not have shade and fruit trees for the students to sit under and eat.
Onemilliontrees4kilifi Seeing that Kilifi County should be at per in achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 ( Quality Education), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), we started the goal of planting fruit trees in over 400 schools in the region. We choose schools because schools have vast land which is not to be used, they also have students who will help in looking after the trees and lastly, most of them have water sources which will be used to water the trees during the extremely harsh conditions. Schools make this project very sustainable.
The importance of microclimate schools includes:
The fruit trees will provide fruit in the future to the school-going children, this will help reduce the rate of Children suffering from Malnutrition thus helping the region achieve SDG 2 ( Zero Hunger)
By having fruits from the planted trees in schools, the children will be motivated to go to school thus increasing the rate of children attending school. Most of the students fail to attend school due to a lack of something to put in their mouths. We therefore will achieve SDG 4 (Quality Education)
Fruit trees will help to restore the degraded land and restore the damaged ecosystem in the region. Fruit trees are known to have flours that attract bees and butterflies which are the main agents of pollination. More pollination results in more trees growing thus increasing the level of rainfall in the region. We refer to it as calling back the rains
By involving the young generation in tree planting we are able to shape the future generation in the matters of environmental conservation and ecosystem restoration.
Through our visits to schools, we noted that the trees we plant will take at least a few years to grow and provide shade, however, if we plant grass it is going to cover the bare land and protect the learners from the excess dust particles in the air. We, therefore, introduced grass planting and flower planting in the institution.
In Kakuyuni boys where are happy to plant trees at the parade square which has taken over 50 years without any vegetation cover. Through partnering with the school environmental club we have been able to plant plant buffalo grass in various parts of the school. During our last check-up visit, we found the students with watering cans marking sure that every grass planted had been taken care of. This is the true definition that the young ones only need to be given the direction and the way to it. After that, they will take the mantle from that point and keep soldering on.
The places we have greened will be used as learning aids. Different subjects will make pluck cards and erect them at the different squares of the gardens. As the students rest on the fresh grass they can read the short notes written on the cards. Making the students continue learning even as they take a rest.
Through collaboration with the Lit Initiative in Malindi Kenya we have done the greening of the Maono space in which our offices are located. This gives the space an environmentally friendly look and it can motivate anyone who comes to the space to emulate it at their home and workplaces. This is a practical way of creating awareness about greening our ground to reduce dust in the air thus reducing the rate at which persons suffer from respiratory diseases.https://onemilliontrees4kilifi.blogspot.com/2023/07/green-or-brown-which-way.html
