Trees are important in supporting livelihood as well in environmental regulation. Trees provide fuel, timber, food for humans, foliage and shelter to wildlife as well as being crucial to the hydrological cycle and providing oxygen. 

Increase demand for wood fuel and timber due to rising human population has led to massive deforestation degrading the land. The problem is further fueled by poverty, drought and lack of gainful livelihood forcing the rural community to cut down trees for wood fuel (charcoal) as a means of survival.

The cutting down of trees leaves the land bare, exposing it to soil erosion, land degradation and associated environmental problems of pollution, climate change and desertification. This situation is a big problem in the Tsavo Conservation Area.

Amara Conservation engages with the local community to create understanding about the importance of trees and provide a means to address deforestation. The first step in this approach is to educate the communities living in rural villages on the implications of removing trees. Once they have an understanding of why trees are important, they need a solution to repairing the damage already done. Replanting trees!

Giving someone the rationale behind a task or project gives the individual more buy-in. They are more likely to carry out tasks, and care for its success when they understand the “how” and ‘why’ behind the ‘what’.

We teach the local community and school children to prepare seedbeds, collect seeds from indigenous trees, plant, water and protect the seedlings. We have found that they truly care for the plants much more than if we were to give them seedlings or plant them ourselves.