MKT Annual Report 2022

Mount Kenya Trust (MKT) is a co-steward in protecting, preserving, and enriching one of the most vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world - Mt. Kenya. MKT envisions a naturally thriving mountain, rich in biodiversity and sustainable in economic development where the integrity of the ecosystem is protected for the welfare of all who depend on it. With over two decades of experience, our holistic and community-centered approach has garnered rich evidence of impactful initiatives Through collaborating with nonprofits, government agencies, and dedicated allies, MKT amplifies sustainable development across the entire Mount Kenya ecosystem. As Mount Kenya faces pressing ecological threats, our collective action is more crucial than ever. to come.

OUR MISSION

To drive collaborative action for the sustainable management of Mt Kenya’s biodiversity and natural resources through partnership with government, communities and civil society.

OUR VISION

The Integrity of the Mt Kenya ecosystem for the welfare of all who depend on it.

VALUES

The organisation has earned the trust of its partners through its integrity and the dedicated work of its field teams and management

Upholding these values is important to the organisation and it believes its small size and clearly defined focus area will help it to maintain its critical relationships with key stakeholders

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Another year on the slopes of Mount Kenya has gone by with an ever growing project portfolio and successes!

Protecting this mighty mountain does not come without challenges. The start of the year had us fighting fires all over Mount Kenya from January through to July, with following two years of drought and a failed March - April rains we were fighting fires into the middle of the year

Shorter rainy seasons, an increase in forest fires, unsustainable water abstraction and the movement of thousands of livestock onto the mountain on a near-permanent basis means that the threats to the landscape have dramatically changed and we have to keep adapting to find new approaches and strengthen partnerships.

MKT has a long history of working in collaboration with partners and it has always been one of our greatest strengths. The need for regional, national and international landscape initiatives are increasing We have to work on strategic multidisciplinary landscape approaches, as the mountain is not an island, the protection of its integrity affects people and landscapes way beyond the forest boundaries. This includes working every harder on wildlife connectivity, fire prevention, potential carbon initiatives, water sustainable programmes and increasing law enforcement.

The network of people and organizations working on around around the mountain every day, behind the scenes, is immense The ongoing programatic areas focus on the protected mountain forest and wildlife areas as well as the communities living in the region MKT continues to support the community health outreaches, supply water harvesting and woodlot programmes to local primary schools and tree nurseries and now supports adolescents in schools

In the face of global climate change, we must map out the journey to keep our mountain thriving despite, and because of, the increasing pressures. This strengthens our passion and effort to protect this mountain; our source of life and our natural security We recognise that our local and global supporters realise and understanding the critical importance of Mount Kenya for the nation as a whole

With gratitude,

Susie Weeks

2022 IMPACTS

156,928

Trees Planted

35,935

Recieved Healthcare Services

22,945

KMs Covered In Patrols

11,091

Students Reached Through Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Program

We emerged first runner-up during the 2022 African Conservation Award, Conservation Team Category

160

Students reached through the Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife

Our dedicated rangers have been actively engaged in patrols and cleanups throughout the year, including river patrols and town cleanups with volunteers. Notably, mobile camping patrols were conducted in Mawingu and the Bantu area, thanks to a concerned resident reporting illegal activities The Imenti Patrol Team focused on the Kihari-Ragati region, effectively reducing illegal activities in Ragati and Chehe areas.

Despite challenges due to drought conditions with cattle and pastoralists in the moorlands, our rangers work diligently to address issues, especially in Marania, Rutundu, and Mawingu areas.

Remarkably, MKT community rangers made 16 arrests, 9 for hunting and poaching and 7 for logging and charcoal burning, showcasing their dedication despite being unarmed.

Our two fence maintenance teams work tirelessly to repair and check fences, minimizing human-wildlife conflict in the Elephant Corridor and Naro Moru. The management team actively participates in fence-technical and community meetings for the crucial Rhino Ark Mount Kenya Fence Project Recently, we completed a 3.8km short-configuration fence in the Upper Imenti Forest, safeguarding newly planted indigenous tree zones in collaboration with communities and the Kenya Forest Service These fences will be moved as the trees mature, allowing reforested areas to benefit wildlife once again.

Throughout the year, our rangers have displayed unwavering dedication and resilience in protecting wildlife and natural resources, making a significant impact despite challenges faced.

[Picture 1]: MKT rangers during the 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge [Picture 2] Rangers destroying snares. [Picture 3]: MKT rangers destroying a charcoal kiln

WILDLIFE RANGER CHALLENGE 2022

Verified Pushups

In 2 Minutes

OUR WILDLIFE RANGER CHALLANGE CHAMPION

Minutes to run 21Kms while carrying a 22Km backpack

David Mwiraria, born and raised in Meru on the edge of the Mount Kenya Forest Reserve hails from a family of small-scale farmers At the age of 29, he joined the MKT as a ranger and has dedicated seven years to the organization Growing up amidst the breathtaking landscape, David witnessed the gradual degradation of the Mount Kenya ecosystem firsthand. Motivated by this observation, he made a conscious decision to become part of the solution and embarked on a journey as a ranger, bringing positive transformation not only to his own family but also to his neighbourhood.

David's commitment and passion for conservation led him to participate in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge on four consecutive occasions. When asked about his unwavering dedication, David simply states, "The reason I take part in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge is to play a role in improving our working conditions and the challenges train my endurance, which is good for my health and fitness"

The Mount Kenya Trust extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who rallied behind their Horse Patrol Team in 2022, demonstrating their commitment to conservation and the well-being of our rangers

Let's support our 2023 team, Marania Wildlife Guards.

GBP Raised

Wildfires

STRENGTHENING FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTS TO PROTECT MOUNT KENYA ECOSYSTEM

The past year has been an incredibly challenging fire season, characterized by dry and hot conditions around the mountain. The first fires broke out in Ontulili Forest in early February, but thanks to the swift action of a team of 20 firefighters and Community Forest Association members, the fire was successfully suppressed On February 6, a 12-man MKT team spent two nights in the Aberdares to fight another small fire, achieving quick success.

From March 9 onwards, our team faced a relentless battle to control fires in the Aberdares and on Mount Kenya caused by careless illegal honey harvesters, charcoal producers, and water abstractors.

However, more concerning was the intentional and repeated ignition of fires by criminal gangs in Marania, Sirimon, and Rutundu areas. Despite the difficulties, our rangers, along with partners from KWS, KFS, CFA members, Kisima Farm personnel, and the Rhino Ark team, worked tirelessly to control these fires

CollaborationIsKey

In an effort to improve fire management, MKT enlisted the services of Joel Kamau from AMEM Service to clear moorland roadside vegetation in the Rutundu and Chogoria areas. Additionally, MKT and Rhino Ark organized training for various Community Forest Association members, empowering them with the necessary skills and awareness to tackle fire-related challenges.

Even after months of fighting fires on the mountain, the region received only patches of rain, and fire management continued to be necessary between June and July an unprecedented situation that highlights the escalating impacts of climate change.

In mid-October, we provided refresher firefighting training to 37 trained rangers from MKT, Kisima, the Community, and

KFS, with two MKT staff members receiving new training. The training, conducted by Steve Alderson from 'Working on Fire' in South Africa, was made possible by the tremendous support and generosity of our network in Kenya and our dedicated donors who assisted us during the fires earlier in the year

Forests

For nearly two decades, MKT has worked with the community and KFS to restore degraded forests by planting diverse tree species. The work has had a high survival rate and the closing canopy is restoring the environmental functions that a healthy ecosystem provides, all the while improving the livelihood of the community members and promoting environmental conservation awareness. Our forest restoration methods majorly take an agroforestry approach through the Trees Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (TELIS) which allows the community members to cultivate crops between tree spacings This motivates the communities to get involved in tree planting activities such as site preparations and planting since it guarantees them a stable source of income for the next 3-5 years from agricultural produce.

At the heart of our reforestation operations are our tree monitors who provide a conducive environment for our trees to flourish from preplanting, planting to post-planting phases throughout the trees' life cycle. Through our tree monitors, we have witnessed a high survival rate which are as high as 90 52% in our reforestation areas The tree monitors comprise of community members who are most passionate about the environment and in bringing positive change in their communities. Each tree monitor has been equipped with SMART (Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool) to record progress and relay data during periodical spot checks, throughout the trees' lifecycle

Simon Mureithi, a dedicated tree monitor with Mount Kenya Trust, has successfully overseen the growth of 120,000 trees spanning 120 hectares in Upper Imenti over three years His diligent monitoring and efforts have contributed to the reforestation success in the area Simon's commitment and invaluable contributions as a tree monitor have created a healthier and sustainable environment for the community and forest ecosystem His responsibilities include daily monitoring of tree activities, ensuring proper planting techniques and cultivation practices, reporting land misuse or unauthorized activities, and maintaining the protective fencing around the designated area.

Education

Junior ranger program

In May 2022, our education team launched the Junior Ranger Programme. The team worked diligently to prepare all the necessary materials and coordinate with schools to ensure a successful rollout

The program began with Grade 5 students, selecting 20 pupils from four schools Kirimara, Kangaita, Nkiria, and Ontulili Primary Schools. The team conducted interactive modules with the students once a week during scheduled days, with the last two modules being field-based During these field trips, students patrolled with our rangers in the elephant corridor, providing them with valuable insights into the daily lives of rangers. Additionally, the top 46 students were taken on a field trip to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy's Education Centre, further enhancing their learning experiences Some students even had the opportunity to celebrate World Ranger Day with our teams after visiting the Elephant Corridor. We were delighted to witness the students' enthusiastic engagement and commitment to the modules.

The Elephant Queen (EQ) mobile team also embarked on a journey around Kenya, taking the internationally acclaimed film to various regions Collaborating with MKT, the EQ team met with prearranged partners in Northern Kenya in early September to plan movie shows and plays.

This outreach initiative engaged 11 market centers and 6 schools, leaving a lasting impact with its engaging and thoughtprovoking sessions. Furthermore, we participated in one-off activities, such as a clean-up and tree planting along the Timau River. The education team conducted various other activities, including a Nanyuki River clean-up and tree planting session in collaboration with the Leo Project in Nanyuki. They also joined the Wild Walk team in the Mukagodo forest and donated seedlings to several schools

Looking forward, the education team is already planning the next round of Junior Ranger modules, which will begin in the coming year. They have also been visiting schools where we have helped set up woodlots and planted exotic trees for future harvest within these lots.

Overall, our education initiatives have made a positive impact on young minds, fostering a love for nature, wildlife, and conservation, while empowering the next generation to become stewards of our environment

Junior Rangers enjoy a field day with Mount Kenya Trust's Joint Patrol Team

HealthCare

Our health projects have actively conducted outreaches in Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties, delivering essential medical care to remote areas. With three full outreaches and two backpack nurse outreaches a month, we ensure even the most vulnerable receive much-needed care. Notably, we provided family planning services to 8,299 women, and our main outreaches included crucial offerings such as cancer screening, HIV testing, and counselling, contributing to overall community well-being

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ADOLESCENT SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION

Disturbing statistics from the Ministry of Health revealed that between January and February 2022, the country handled 45,724 cases of pregnant adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years. To address these pressing issues, we initiated a new Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) project

The impact of these sessions has been profound, with students and teachers displaying genuine eagerness to learn and actively engage in discussions.

As we continue this vital work, we are optimistic about the positive impact it will have on the prospects and futures of these young individuals.

Through this pilot project, we have targeted 10 schools in Meru County, collaborating with teacher and student peer counsellors to empower and educate the youth about sexual reproductive health and their rights Our interactive sessions have covered critical topics such as adolescence and puberty, the reproductive system, gender stereotypes, sexuality, and self-esteem We have also engaged students in discussions about environmental issues, population, and their relationship to natural security, promoting holistic awareness among the younger generation.

MKT Community Health Volunteers during one of

Community outreaches.

11,091 students have completed the Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights

PROTECTING WATER SOURCES IN THE MOUNT KENYA WATER SYSTEM

Water scarcity, driven by population growth, is a pressing global concern Rivers from Mount Kenya, which used to flow year-round, are now drying up regularly, causing alarm among local communities. This issue extends beyond the mountain and necessitates worldwide efforts to safeguard freshwater sources for current and future generations

We have set up water harvesting and storage technology to ensure that institutions such as schools and hospitals have access to clean water throughout the dry periods

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is recognized as a fundamental human right under international law, encompassing sufficient and continuous supply for personal and domestic needs MKT collaborates with partners in a 4-year project along the Timau River to protect water resources, demonstrating our dedication to this crucial cause.

This project has been implemented in phases, the first being a baseline riparian land survey to establish a series of datainformed threat mitigation measures.

MKT in collaboration with local Water User Resource Associations and other stakeholders have established a taskforce to conduct outreaches on waste management and water conservation practices as well as controlling soil erosion along riparian lands

We have since planted 5,000 indigenous trees at Timau River, 5,200 trees at Ontulili River, 2,000 trees at Ngusishi River, and 8,000 trees at Teleswani River. In addition to this, we have established a tree nursery that holds a capacity of 28,000 trees in order to support this initiative.

Managing livestock watering points and crossings, and promote riparian lands as wildlife corridors using beehive fences.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN FOUR PHASES

Establishment of the Mugumo Regenerative Agriculture Plot to showcase sustainable farming practices

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

2022WINNERS

Male Category

Sule Kangangi

Female Category

Hannifa Said

The 10to4 and MKT Team were heartbroken to hear of the tragic death of Sule, who died in a high speed crash in August 2022, while competing in a gravel race in Vermont He was an incredible supporter (and winner) of the 10to4 and an inspiring and heroic athlete to the world cycling community Our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends and teammates, and all lucky enough to cross paths with him

The 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge is a series of races designed for all ages, fitness and abilities that takes place in February every year We have had many participants from all over Kenya and the world including East Africa, UK, Europe, Canada, USA, South Africa who take part to raise tens of thousands of dollars Go to www 10to4 org for more details Entries for next year will open in October 2022 Tropic Air has been the Title Sponsor for several years, followed by other local supporters who have been by our side continuously year after year

DONORS

AFEW Giraffe Centre

Community Health and Sustainable Envt

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Dormans

Eden Wildlife Trust

Elephant Cooperation

International Elephant Foundation

International Tree Foundation

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Minara Nature Foundation

Osho Chemical Industry

Sukuma Twende Trust

Timaflor Limited

The Rapid Response Facility

Tree Nation Avenue

Tropic Air

Tusk Trust Limited

U S Fish and Wildlife Service

Wildlife Conservation Society

Royal African Foundation

Kisima Farm Ltd

Marania Ltd

Sirai Management Ltd

GET INVOLVED

We are 100 percent donor funded and rely purely on individual, partners and organizations from Kenya and around the world. Every donation we receive goes to the future and sustainability of Mount Kenya.

There are several ways that you can help;

1. Donate to one of our projects.

$50 pays for data bundles for our patrol teams for one month

$150 plants 150 trees on Mount Kenya

$200 pays for a digital camera for our patrol teams

$300 pays the salary and rations of our community rangers for a month

$400 pays for the fuel for one of our patrol vehicles for a month

$500 pays for veterinary costs for our horse patrol team for one year

$1,000 pays for a motorbike for our teams

$5,000 pays for a whole ranger team to operate for 2 months

2. Visit our Mount Kenya Trust tree nursery at Turaco Farm, Nanyuki.

3. Sign up for the 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge (February 2023)

4. Join our mailing list

5. Send contributions to emergency firefighting via M-Pesa Paybill Number: 329142 > Account number: “description/purpose of donation”

6. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

7 Volunteer your time or expertise by emailing: info@mountkenyatrust org

www.mountkenyatrust.org

E: info@mountkenyatrust.org

T: +254 718 235 936