Our partner: Together4Trees Kenya

Together4trees Kenya is a community-based organization founded in 2021 by several community members in Mathari, Nyeri County in Kenya. Previously known as Giwa Community Response, it was later changed to Together4trees Kenya.

This organization started as a small group of individuals from the same community joining hands to help conserve the local environment. Members were concerned about climate change as most farmers were drastically affected by lower crop yields caused by less rain and soil erosion.

Moreover, due to the high rate of air pollution that consistently caused health problems, especially for their children, the members agreed to start a CBO that focuses on tree planting projects, restoring greenery in the environment and combat climate change to aid in environmental conservation and purify the air in the community.

The projects involve reforestation and afforestation programs held in Nyeri County and the surrounding counties. As of today, the organisation has extended its tree-planting projects to the whole country to fulfill its goal.

Support Together4Trees Kenya!

#1 What is your mission and long-term vision?

Together4trees Kenya is a community-based organization that aims to promote a greener environment to sustain the ecological balance for the better survival of humans and other living creatures. The organization also focuses further on promoting rural and urban greenery, carbon sequestration, and environmental education in the community.

Together4trees Kenya’s mission is to lead globally in afforestation and refores-tation efforts by planting and replanting trees fostering resilient ecosystems while collaborating with individuals and organizations in pursuit of a greener and healthier environment.

The vision is to create a greener and more sustainable future by planting trees and restoring forests to empower communities to take active roles in environmental conservation.

#2 What kind of projects/programmes do you offer?

Together4trees Kenya projects involve reforestation and afforestation programs in the whole country. As a non-profit organization, they replant and plant trees in Kenyan forests, semi-arid, and arid areas, along with water resources, schools, and other community fields. The organization actively organizes tree-planting events to help contribute to environmental conservation.

The CBO collaborates with various institutions, especially primary schools, and involves volunteers and other registered members during the tree planting events. Through these projects, Together4trees Kenya continues to conserve and restore natural habitats, ecosystems, and local biodiversity.

The purpose is to increase greenery and encourage environmental conservation practices in a wider community. Together4Trees aims to combat climate change and improve air quality to promote a safe and healthy living environment. As part of travelers’ explorations, they allow them to combine their visits with the tree-planting programs to promote meaningful environmental contributions.

The supporters as well can also sponsor tree-planting campaigns in areas that require urgent reforestation needs. The organisation is always happy when volunteers take part in the operations to create a more engaged community in environmental conservation.

#3 What key achievements has together4trees Kenya made so far?

Together4trees Kenya has achieved various tree-planting milestones in various parts of the country. Over the last four years, Together4trees Kenya has planted over 75,000 trees inclusive of indigenous and exotic tree species together with fruit trees in Nyeri County and other counties. Notably in areas like Nyeri, Kiambu, Nakuru, Embu, and Nandi, the organization has contributed to planting trees by 25 % of its goal.

On reforestation and afforestation programs, the organization has planted over 400, 000 trees in areas like Kabiruini forest, Mt. Kenya forest, Mount Kenya Escarpment, Mathari Primary School, Kihuyo Primary School, Ihururu Primary School, Kagwathi Technical Training Institute among others. Also, water resources such as Nakuru Itare and Ndakaini Dam are part of this notable contribution where more than 10,000 trees were planted along the embankment. The organization also provides quality tree seedlings to the community.

This initiative supports individuals, locals, and other Kenyans who would be willing to plant trees but have no access to quality tree seedlings. Together4Trees Kenya' have been featured in both Ground Truth and PlantGrowSave for contributions to the natural environment.

#4 How do you ensure sustainability and ethical practices?

The organization ensures a balanced approach to ecological restoration and environmental conservation. Together4trees Kenya involves various stakeholders like institutions, primary schools, and local communities in the tree planting efforts. By doing this, they foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the trees planted in the long-term enhancing the care and survival for these trees.

Secondly, through transparent collaborations with primary schools and other institutions, the organization focuses on planting indigenous tree species and native fruit trees that are well-suited for the environment. Together4Trees incorporates the institutions in executing, managing, and undertaking follow-up for the planted trees to ensure they are well watered, mulched, and replaced in case of damage. This helps to restore the local ecosystem and improves biodiversity not leaving behind planting fruit trees essential for healthy human life and growth.

Together4trees Kenya also promotes environmental education and awareness by involving the community and students in their projects. Together4Trees educates on different tree species and their importance in the environment. They guarantee ethical practices by ensuring tree planting operations do not cause conflicts with other related land use. Together4trees Kenya plants trees in rural, urban, and semi-urban areas like schools, community areas, and forest reforestations.

#5 How does your work engage with the local communities?

Together4trees Kenya engages the local community in the planning, and execution of tree planting events and care and maintenance of the planted trees. Particularly, involving primary schools, institutions, volunteers, and the local community in planning, maintenance, and tree planting. For instance, the tree planting projects carried out in Nyeri, Kiambu, Nandi, and Kabiruini forests include collaborations between public primary schools and the community.

The others included collaborations with various colleges and other organizations. The success stories highlight the works in Kiambu (Jeremiah Nyaga Technical Institute), Tharaka Nithi, and Nandi (Kiborgok Primary) as well as other public primary schools. The areas had been characterized by soil erosion and deforestation. But now the planted trees have begun to restore soil health and improve degraded landscapes.

Together4Trees Kenya planted more than 10,000 trees involving teachers, non-teaching staff and students turning them into active participants in environmental conservation. To allow greater community engagement, Together4trees Kenya also provides tree seedlings for free to its members as part of its support to the community.

#6 What are the challenges and needs of your organisation?

One of the main challenges of Together4trees Kenya is limited funds. The organization still strains on financial resources making it difficult to purchase more tree seedlings, transportation problems during the execution of events, care, and maintenance of nurseries, and the already planted trees. As well as facing tracking and accountability issues when ensuring good growth and survival of the already planted trees.

Moreover, the organization faces logical constraints during large-scale tree planting and replanting operations. The organization is less equipped in terms of resources making it difficult to sustain and carry out large tree-planting operations. As such, Together4Trees looks forward to getting support that will address these challenges.

Supporters are welcome to assist with financial contributions such as donating funds or sponsoring the tree planting programs. They can also provide support through donating tools or equipment as well as creating awareness through advocacy programs and enhancing partnerships with other potential organizations. Also, the Together4trees Kenya organization highly welcomes expertise sharing in areas like forestry, climate science, or sustainable project management.

#7 What sets together4trees Kenya apart?

Together4trees Kenya distinguishes itself from other organizations by involving the local community, public primary schools, volunteers, and other institutions in environmental conservation and tree planting exercises. Incorporating this community-centered approach enables us to emphasize the importance of environmental conservation widely.

Together4Trees focuses on degraded lands, water resources, and forest cover such as forests, in urban and rural community areas. Planting indigenous, exotic, and fruit trees in these areas enables us to make a holistic difference in the environment. This unique model integrates a large number of people both the young and old in the community. Together4Trees also create education awareness concerning the environment providing more information about different tree species and their importance.

They also pursue environmental-saving partnerships as Together4Trees seeks financial support. Below is a link that shows a partnership with an entrepreneurial research group where environmental partners or advisors as well as donors can reach us for support.

#8 Can you share a success story or memorable experience?

A notable success story for Together4Trees Kenya occurred in October 2024 when the organization collaborated with the University of Embu, community residents, and other stakeholders to launch a national tree-planting initiative at the Jeremiah Nyaga Training Institute in Embu County. Together, they planted over 1,000 indigenous and exotic tree seedlings. This event aimed to support the county's ambitious goal of increasing tree cover to 21% by 2032.

What made this initiative memorable was the active participation of community members, including students and volunteers, emphasizing the organization's philosophy that small, consistent efforts can create significant environmental impacts. The project also reflected the organization's focus on empowering communities and creating awareness about sustainable environmental practices.

Another remarkable initiative planned for October 2024 involves planting 6,000 tree seedlings across three primary schools in Nyeri County. This demonstrates Together4Trees Kenya's commitment to engaging schools and fostering environmental stewardship among students. You can have a look at what transpired at Jeremiah Nyaga Training Institute in Embu County via PlantGrowSave's blog post.

#9 What does the future hold for you?

Together4Trees Kenya’s future is bright and ambitious. It is marked by ongoing initiatives and environmental-saving campaigns. The organization will continue to host projects that help to combat climate change and environmental degradation as well as promote sustainable development.

Some key aspects of the future goals include the restoration of degraded lands where Together4Trees aims to plant indigenous and exotic tree species for reforestation projects. The organization aims to restore more than 20, 000 hectares of degraded lands.

Secondly, Together4Trees aims to expand school greening programs to inspire young people towards environmental stewardship. The organization plans to deepen engagements with over 2000 schools emphasizing environmental education and the benefits of tree planting. Also, Together4trees Kenya will continue seeking environmental partnerships and financial support to help overcome its financial challenges.

This will help solve logistical issues and increase the purchase of tree seedlings and planting tools. Additionally, the organization will continue to foster community participation to allow small and large-scale farmers, locals, and volunteers to contribute to long-term climate-saving initiatives.

#10 What do you want people to know or do to best support your work?

To better support the work of Together4Trees Kenya, people can donate funds or assist with financial contributions to enhance the capacity to replant and plant more trees that will help sustain the programs. Together4trees Kenya accepts community, schools, and volunteers to participate in tree planting activities.

The organization acknowledges their efforts and contributions. Other people joining the tree planting activities or offering expertise in environmental conservation can amplify the impacts on the environment. Through advocacy and awareness, people can also support us by sharing the organization's mission and achievements to increase the initiative's visibility and inspire more people to join this cause for environmental change.

Moreover, the organization highly seeks partnerships and in-kind donations to support the reforestation and afforestation projects. Through this, Together4Trees can acquire more tree seedlings and gardening and monitoring tools to help the programs succeed.

Together4Trees Kenya believes that small, collective actions lead to big changes, and everyone has a role to play in creating a greener future.

Donate now!