Women in conservation

The Trees for Livelihoods project seeks to restore Kakamega forest whilst promoting women’s participation and inclusion in sustainable community development projects. 

Our partner, Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC), is a women-led NGO based in Western Kenya that works with women to promote community conservation efforts through tree planting.   WWANC engages local communities, particularly women, to identify the challenges they are facing and support them to come up with viable, sustainable and community-owned solutions.

Putting women at the centre of restoration and conservation initiatives 

Up until the late 1980s, Kakamega forest suffered significantly due to commercial logging and clearing of the land for tea plantations. Today, encroachment by humans continues to pose a serious threat to the forest. This has led to water shortages, soil erosion and soil degradation.

This project is empowering women living around Kakamega forest to conserve and protect their environment through planting trees. Through selling seedlings raised in community tree nurseries, women are improving their own economic and social wellbeing. 

Stories from the field 

Thanks to our supporters, women are not only restoring Kakamega forest but also generating sustainable incomes to sustain their families.

“I have always wanted to fully participate in community conservation initiatives but for years I never had the chance. I now take care our community fruit tree demonstration site with about 10 trees. I also provide,” says Mama Esther Maurice Mukopi, a beneficiary of the project and a member of Kabras Women Group. “In my community, more people have joined our Community Forest Association and we are establishing avocado fruit nurseries. I feel now that I will be able to make more money to sustain my family.”

Through this project, opportunities are being created for women to play a significant role in sustainable community development projects.

“I now know different indigenous tree species and their importance and I can comfortably train other community members, thanks to the ITF/WWANC project,” says Salome Wambecha, a project beneficiary who is now a Community Conservation Accelerator promoting tree planting and agroforestry in her community.

Understanding and appreciating the value of and the ways in which women protect the environment is crucial to the success of land restoration projects. That is why gender inclusivity and empowerment is a key part of International Tree Foundation’s work.

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