Teresiah Muciku Mungai
Other projects
15 Feb 2023
Improving Ngong Hills Forest Conservation Efforts through Raising Local Community Awareness of Biodiversity Conservation
Restoring degraded areas is a continuous effort, requiring ongoing monitoring to gather insights, share lessons, and enhance the effectiveness of restoration strategies. This project builds on our initial work under the Rufford Small Grant (1 RSG), which aimed to raise local community awareness about biodiversity conservation.
From our previous project, we observed that Ngong Hills is heavily impacted by invasive species, particularly the African wild daisy—a clear indicator of degradation. To control its spread and reduce harm to native plants, we will increase native species diversity through enrichment planting. Strengthening the already established Uppah Nalepo community nursery will play a key role in this effort, supporting restoration through seedling production. Additionally, we plan to replace dead seedlings, monitor the survival of over 3,500 trees planted in our adopted forest during the first Rufford grant, and work to preserve the forest’s ecosystem services.
Our reforestation and monitoring strategies align with the “Ten Golden Rules of Reforestation.” These principles will support natural regeneration, boost carbon sequestration, enhance biodiversity, and restore ecosystem services while providing long-term economic benefits. Using the framework species method, we will select pioneer species with traits that increase the success of restoration.
Beyond ecological recovery, this project emphasises community capacity building for sustainable forest resource use. By training local members in nature-based practices, we aim to empower them with the skills to manage forest resources responsibly, meeting their needs while safeguarding the forest’s long-term health.