As part of our ongoing project on Promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships for Oloolua Forest Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration, GLFx Nairobi recently conducted school visits to four schools in the immediate boundaries of Oloolua Forest in Nairobi and Kajiado Counties in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. The schools were; Olkeri Primary School, Nkaimurunya Primary School and Embulbul Primary and Secondary Schools.
During these visits, we sought to find out the needs of the student environment clubs and by extension the whole school and the kind of trees the schools were keen on growing going forward. The students actively asked for practical experience for conservation and restoration. This included; in-class environmental education on tree growing, field and academic visits to restoration sites and a training session on how to identify the best trees for varying soils and environments. Further, the schools were keen on planting indigenous trees and fruit trees which have economical, nutritional and biodiversity value.
We are keen on engaging school-age community members on this project as it is one of the primary ways to ensure project sustainability. Not only will the students learn the value of restoration, but they will also carry the same information with them home. Therefore, becoming ambassadors of restoration and influencing behavior change both at school and at home.
