The board members of the Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association (TTWCA) on Thursday participated in a tree-planting exercise at the TUI Forest Kenya project site, located within the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
The initiative emphasizes TTWCA’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, an initiative that aligns with the government’s goal to achieve a 30% forest cover across Kenya by the year 2050.
TTWCA Board Secretary, Manuel Kitololo, praised the project’s community-focused approach, highlighting the importance of collaboration in its successful implementation.
“Community engagement is key to project success. By involving local communities, we foster economic empowerment, which ultimately improves livelihoods,” Kitololo said.
The TUI Forest Kenya project not only focuses on tree planting but also sources tree seedlings from local community groups, creating employment opportunities, particularly for youth living around the sanctuary.
Moving forward, the project aims to involve both local and international tourists in tree-planting activities as part of the “Leave a Green Footprint” campaign.
This initiative seeks to raise awareness about conservation while promoting experiential tourism, benefiting both the environment and communities surrounding the protected area.
As the trees take root, TTWCA remains committed to fostering a greener, more sustainable future while championing community-led conservation efforts.
Linet Misiko, the Chief Operations Officer for the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association was also present during the tree planting exercise.
