On May 20th, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy participated in a Tree Planting Challenge organised by the Mt. Kenya Tourism Circuit Association and donated 500 tree seedlings. A total of 2,500 trees were planted that day, over an area of 20 ha in the Gathiuru forest, part of the Mt. Kenya ecosystem.

Mt. Kenya , with the height of 17,058 feet (5,199 m) above sea level is the highest peak in Kenya and second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The mountain's flora and fauna provides an outstanding example of ecological processes. It is a habitat to large mammals of international conservation interest and other endangered species. Above all it is a water catchments area of the two major drainages in the country, a source hydroelectric power and livelihoods of many living beneath its shadows. It is a World Heritage Site and the pride of the nation from which the country draws its name.

The integrity of this ecosystem has of late been threatened by excessive fuel wood harvesting, logging, encroachment, charcoal burning, grazing and forest fires. The conservation and restoration of its integrity cannot be left to the hands of the neighbouring communities, Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service alone. A concerted effort of all direct and indirect beneficiaries in the light of climate change and impacts of the same is more than ever an urgent social responsibility.

Two Ol Pejeta employees, Harrison Odongo and Willy Tuwei, plant a tree seedling on Mt. Kenya Forest. This was one of 2,500 trees that were planted on May 20, 2011 in an effort to restore the integrity of the Mt. Kenya ecosystem and counter the effects of charcoal burning and fuel wood harvesting

It is with this in mind that the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and nine of our employees, participated enthusiastically in this exercise. They shared a fun morning with local school children, University students from Nairobi and employees from other organisations who all have a stake in restoring the integrity of the Mt. Kenya ecosystem.

To see more photos of the Tree Planting exercise, visit our Facebook Album!