20 23 ANNUAL REPORT
Welcome to the 2023 Mount Kenya Trust Annual Report
Dearstakeholdersandsupporters,
MKT'sconservationeffortsfocusonprotecting the diverse Mount Kenya ecosystem through aholistic,participatoryandstakeholderdriven approach We work across and within the six mountain counties - Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru - in four strategic areas of water, forest, people and wildlife
Now 24 years of age, the Trust reflects our organisation's commitment to field based conservation and strong public, private and communitypartnershipswithintheregion The last 3 years have marked a significant period of growth of both projects and programmes and a long with it new challenges and new skillsetsfortheteammembersaswellasnew team members and partnerships helping to workindiverseareas
With ranger teams’ planting trees, health workerstalkingabouttheimpactofforestson rainfall, and office staff digitising forest data, we all are lending a collective hand towards more integrated solutions The complex environmental issues that we increasingly face today including climate change, water management, population growth, coexistence with wildlife and the value of ecosystem servicescannotbesolvedinisolationandwe must give agency to people from an array of disciplinesandtoeachpartofsociety.
Dynamic problems require integrated solutions Alongwith280,000indigenoustrees restored mountain and over 31,000 km covered by patrols across four ranger teams, the MKT team continues to extend our work acrossalargerrangeofprogramaticareas
These include water conservation,, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, endangered Mountain bongo reintroduction, regenerative agriculture and continuedstridesintodevelopingcarbonand / or biodiversity credits to assist the key stakeholders to continue to add value and integritytoourmountainecosystems
Protected areas have become islands of wilderness in a sea of cultivation Elephant population movement requires continuous active management to reduce conflict with people’s livelihoods while protecting elephants forfuturegenerations. increasing numbers of illegal livestock grazing, forest restorationandregeneration
Climate change repercussions, increasing poverty, land use pressures and illegal livestock invasions on the mountain combine with todays’ unstable political landscape to ensure that we have to keep innovating , raising funds and awareness for our vitally important mountain ecosystems We are incredibly grateful for all your support towards MKT’s work Our 2023 report highlights a selection of our progress and accomplishments, along with growth and challenges Ihopeyouenjoyreadingit!
Susie Weeks ExecutiveDirector
Healthy Mount Kenya ecosystems where communities, forest and wildlife coexist
WHO WE ARE
Mount Kenya Trust is a Kenyan-based nonprofit organization passionately dedicated to safeguarding and enriching Mount Kenyaanditsecosystems,ensuringthelastingsustainabilityofthis naturaltreasureforpresentandfuturegenerations
At the heart of our mission is community-centered conservation We empower local communities of all ages to lead the charge in finding solutions to the challenges facing Mount Kenya. With over two decades of impactful work, our evidence-based, holistic approach underscores our effectiveness in making a meaningful difference Mount Kenya demands collective and urgent action fromallstakeholderstocombattheecologicalthreatsitfaces
279,226
Treesplantedinbothforest&riparianlandscapes, with200,000treespurchasedfrom communitytree nurserieswhile79,226weresourcedfromtheMount KenyaTrust’snurseries
Coveredinpatroldistances fromourrangerteams
Theseincluderoutine, campingandjointpatrols withGovernmentagencies
Asadynamicforceinconservationanddevelopment, wecollaboratedwithover
Community-BasedOrganizationsfromour vast network of community partners that wehaveworkedwithforthepast20years
Toamplifyourimpactswehaveforgedlongterm strategicpartnershipswithbothGovernmentand privateinstitutionsatalllevelsandaroundthe landscape
1,000 Reusable Sanitary Towels Produced for free Distribution To promote menstrual health and hygiene among teenage girls
235,753 peoplereachedthroughour communityhealthoutreaches, with 34,056 receivingfreehealthcare servicesand 201,697receiving healthcareinformation
3500
45Communitygroupsand Institutions includingschools,CFAsandself-help groups havebeenreachedthrough schooleducationprograms,fire training,and CommunityTree EstablishmentandManagement Students reached through the Junior Ranger Program
WHERE WE OPERATE
The Mount Kenya region is made up of the Mount Kenya and Imenti Forest ReservesandtheMountKenyaNationalParkthatcoverover27000square kilometers. Mount Kenya is a gazette World Heritage Site and the second highestmountaininAfrica TheMountKenyaforestsandmoorlandsforma vitalmajorwatercatchmentareafromwhichtwoofthecountries’fiveriver basins arise This supplies water to more than a half of Kenya’s population andwiththeAberdarerangehelpstosupplyalargeshareofKenya’swater needs The livelihood systems of the communities surrounding the mountain region are intertwined with the mountain On a National scale ecosystem services from the region support water supplies, hydro-electric power,agricultureandclimatechangemitigation.
Our annual fundraiser, The Tropic Air 10to4 Mountain BikeChallenge2023 wasa tremendoussuccess
Ketty Gitonga addressed a high-level Meru County forum to report on findings from the Trust's Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights project in schools
We launched our Menstrual HealthandHygieneProgramto curb period poverty among teenage girls by making reusable sanitary towels for freedistributioninschools
MKTrepresentedatthefirst-ever Forests and Livelihoods Assessment Research and Engagement annual meeting in Africa, Over 500 global experts shared insights on sustainable solutions for combating climate changeandrestoringforests
Maraniia Wildlife Guards rescuedanorphanedelephant which was airlifted an to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi
The Mountain Bongo Reintroduction and Recovery Programme for the Ragati andCheheForests,Mt Kenya built a security site and createdamanagementplan for planned bongo reintroduction in the next 10 years
Sukuma Twende Trust visited andplantedtreeswithourforest restoration team donating 4 sewingmachines,11watertanks, andagriculturaltoolsforvarious CommunityForestAssociations
Ourrangersrepresentedthe mountainintheTuskTrust’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2023, competing in all fitness and knowledge challenges, including a gruelling21kmruncarrying 22kgofkiteach!
2023
Our donors CHASE Africa paid us a visit to meet our Community Health Volunteers attendedouroutreachesanda seminarforteenagemothersin Meru
Mount Kenya Trust won the Earth Ranger Conservation TechAward2023forTheBest Application Of Technology through the Junior Ranger Programme
We attended a workshop organized by the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya in Nairobi Conservation educators from acrossthecountrydiscussed education content and impactmonitoring
Enock Ochieng and Susie Weeks attended the 19th Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium in Thailand
Actor and Wildlife Ranger Challenge ambassador, Alexander Dreymon visitedtheHPTHeadquarters
SixMKTrangersgraduatedtoNonCommissionedOfficers(NCOs)for the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant following a rigorous trainingcoursebyKWS
We were honored to be part of the African Community Conservation Forum 2023 a platform uniting 90 local conservation leaders and over 50 external partners to foster learning, collaboration, and collective action for enhanced conservationefforts
Joint Wildlife Protection
quarrysite
SNAPSHOT
Towards the end of the year all our rangersrangers tookpartindrillsand capacity building conducted by KWS trainers from the Mount Kenya HQ with the authority of the Mount Kenya AssistantDirector Mr Jillo
Corporal Martin Kinyua successfully completed his Intermediate Field Ranger Instructor course at Rukinga WildlifeSanctuary,TsavoEast
We launched our new websites for bothMountKenyaTrustandthe10to4 MountainBikeChallenge
We had huge turnouts to our demo daysatthe ConservationAgriculture plot to educate small scale farmers aboutsustainablefarming
Team in Ruthumbi Forest rescued a young Grayish Eagle Owl from Mutonga
R e s t o r i n g D e g r a d e d F o r e s t L a n d P r o m o t i n g S u s t a i n a b l e F a r m i n g
279,226
Trees Planted in forest & riparian landscapes,with200,000treespurchased from communitytreenurseries
Maraniaforest-122,300
OntuliliForest-65,686
ImentiForest-68,040
Riparian-18,100
200,000
Trees purchased from community tree nurseries
148
Community Members trained on tree nursery establishment and management encouraging them to plant and supply more indigenous trees
Logging Incidences were recorded. Our rangersconfiscated 782
1,667
Products from illegal logging including; charcoal, fence posts andmanymore
FOREST RESTORATION
Working with Kenya Forest Service and local associations, we planted 256,126 trees across four sites: Lower Imenti, Upper Imenti, Marania, and Ontulili (Karuri) We checked on newly planted treestoensuretheirsurvivalandreplaced any that didn’t make it This effort is vital for restoring our forests after setbacks like halts in farming due to environmental concerns
We bought 200,000 seedlings from community nurseries, supporting local income and planting efforts. We also planted 18,100 trees in riparian areas crucialformanagingwaterresourcesand supportinglocalwildlife
PROMOTING CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE
Our conservation agriculture demonstration plot continued to serve as a hub for sustainable farming practices, educating farmers about conservation agriculture and climate-smart techniques These include enhancing soil fertility through practices like minimal soil disturbance, crop diversity, agroforestry, mulching and sustainable water use, leading to more robust yields The plot's resilience during drought conditions underscored the effectiveness of the techniques, inspiring local farmers to adoptsimilarpractices.
Innovative wildlife-conflict mitigation solutions include the affordable beehive fence installed along the Timau River with the help of Save the Elephants The fence deterscropraidingelephants..
9,352
Providing Access To Primary Healthcare
People from underserved communities gained access to healthcare services
Women have accessed Reproductive Health Services
Have been reached with healthcare-related education and awareness programs
Through Mount Kenya Trust’s Community Health project, we aim to promote the well-being of communities by improving access to free primary healthcare among impoverished communities while promoting health education for all ages with a focus on teenage boys and girls A large percentage of the people living around the Mount Kenya region live on a dollar a day and yet spend a majority of their household expenses on healthcare due to poor living conditions that cause a range of diseases linked to low food security, pollution, sexual abuse and exploitation and the effects of climate change The lack of access to family planning additionally leads to population pressure and as a ripple effect, leads to pressure on the mountain’s ecosystem and encroachment Through strategic partnerships, educational initiatives, and community empowerment, we made significant progress in improving health outcomes and promoting Sexual Reproductive Health awareness
Educating Communities & Empowering Youth
School Education Programs
In 2023, the Junior Ranger Program (JRP) engaged 3500 students in 28 schools across various activities focused on conservation education Students participatedininteractivesessions,practicalactivities like waste management and tree planting, and field tripstotheElephantCorridor,LewaConservancy,and Borana Conservancy. Top-performing students received badges, and teachers were recognised for their dedication to the program. We conducted conservation education sessions in 14 schools, involving students from Grade 4 upwards. Sessions included discussions, film screenings, and interactive Q&A sessions, aiming to educate students about the Mt Kenyaecosystemandenvironmentalchallenges
In 2024, we will focus on digitising our Conservation Education and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health content, in addition to opening up access to a pool of information for our growing generation to learn,innovateandcreate.Thisapproachalsoallows us to reach more schools and provides an effective method to further measure our impacts on our school programs It will also ensure that as the younger generation grows, they are involved in important conversations that affect their future in addition to understanding how to use technology to create, communicate and innovate for a better world
CommunitySensitization
Engaging with communities, we held a series of adult awareness sessions With continued long-term drought conditions, and increasingly evident climate change impacts the the sessions were attended by over 1,150 people. Topics included biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest use, addressing factors like sustainable resource use, and alternatives to illegally sourced forest products Our riparian program educated 284 members on sustainable land use practices, conservation agriculture, and river restoration We emphasised the importanceofriparianprotectionandtackled issues such as pollution and habitat destructionthroughawarenessandproactive measures The growing request for seedlings from farmers on riparian land is just one way wearefeelingtheimpactoftheinteractions
Woodlots
FireManagement Workshops
We provided 1,300 tree seedlings to schools to supporting environmental education and sustainable forest management. Schools were given theory and interactive practical skill training in planting and maintaining woodlots for use as alternatives to putting pressureonindigenousforests
Workshops on forest fire causes, the science of fire and firefighting with the use of appropriate tools and PPE were conducted for 106 members across five Community Forest Associations (CFAs). This initiative enhances community capacity to respond swiftly and safely to forest fires, protecting local environments andcommunities
MountKenyaCarbonPro
Since January 2020 work has been underway to lay the foundations of a car KenyaandAberdareslandscapes Thisworkisunderwaybyapublic-privatep ofKFS,KWS,MKT,RAandTheNatureConservancyundertheAfricaForestCarbo
The group formed an official entity of the Mt Kenya Landscape Joint Impleme the signing of a Framework of Collaboration between the duly authorised r parties,madeonthe23rdMarch2021 ThepurposeoftheFrameworkwasto:implement specific interventions to ensure protection, conservation and rest Area; and 2 Explore identify develop and implement a REDD+ project unde Standards and the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance Standards in willgeneratefundinginsupportoftheinterventionsmentionedunder(1a)abo validfor48months
The team are currently exploring the opportunities and uncertainties of devel the Mt Kenya and Aberdares landscape to generate finance for conserv activities through the sale of carbon water and/or biodiversity credits with Livelihoods Group This includes an initial assessment of eligibility a environmentalandsocialriskscreening,potentialincomeandgovernancestruc
At the national level, the Government of Kenya has amended the Climate C provide guidance in the development and implementation of carbon marke international obligations, policy direction on carbon markets, and to dev mechanismsincarbonmarkets
In early 2023 we welcomed Daisy Owiro to our team Daisy is our Grants and Communications Manager and shes been supporting us to grow our audiences and reach out to new potentialsupporters
Daisy’s experience in Communications Marketing, Events and Grants Management make her a real asset to theTrustteam
In 2023, we initiated engagement with two organisations that have been instrumental in guiding our growth and capacity building: Maliasili and Smarter Good Smarter Good collaborated with the Mount Kenya Trust teams, including project managers and the fundraising and communication teams, to develop a language strategy that facilitates effectiveimpactcommunicationand positioning
Maliasili,an organisationdedicatedto supporting high-potential Afrian NGOs, helps accelerate change and impact for the NGO teams they work with The Maliasili team are here to engage with us over the next few years to support us in enhancing our capacity and catalysing growth for more impact to those we serve We are excited to embark on this journey to evolve, and serve the Mount Kenya communities andlandscapemoreeffectively
TropicAir10to4 Mountainbike Challenge
One of the best-kept secrets on Africa's adventure tourism calendar is the Mt. Kenya mountain bike race, with courses for all abilities The 10to4 MountainBikeChallengeisthelargestcyclingevent in Kenya, spanning three days and consisting of six mountain bike races for all abilities and a horseback safari Over 400 participants from around the world, including South Africa, Britain, Germany, USA, and Tanzania, take part. The Classic ride, synonymouswiththe10to4,startsat10,000feetand drops to 4,000 feet, traversing Mount Kenya National Park, Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, Borana Conservancy, and a range of private land and farms The event is featured in regional and national media and ridden by Kenya’s elite cyclists, includingDavidKinjah,mentortoChrisFroome,and theSafariSimbaz
TheReintroductionoftheMountainBongo
OurJointSiteCommitteeaimsto(i)planfor,(ii)putintoaction,and(iii)monitoroverthelongtermthereintroductionofthecriticallyendangered MountainBongoantelope(Tragelaphuseurycerusisaaci),tooneofitskeyhistoricalrangesintheMtKenyaNationalReserve,theRagati/CheheForest
01Introduction
Theeasternormountainbongo(Trageaphuseurycerussaac)amostynocturnalforestanteopefound onyinKenyaisoneoftwosub-specesofbongo(Tragelaphuseurycerus)Theothersub-speciesisthe owandorwesternbongo(Tragephuseuryceruseurycerus)foundinCentraandWesternAfrcaWhethe owandbongopopulatonsconsderednearthreatenedthemountanbongoslstedascritcaly endangeredaccordingtotheUCNRedList(UCN(2022)TheUCNRedListofThreatenedSpecesVersion 2021-1:SummaryStatistics[Onlne]RetrievedAugust122022from https://wwwucnredlstorg/resources/summary-statistcs)
02Goal
Tore-introducehealthy captive-bredmountain bongointotheMt Kenya ForestReserveacrossthe next10yearswiththe ultimateaimofestablishing aself-sustainingbongo populationby2033
03Whyisthisimportant?
Itaddressestheurgentagendaofthe5-yearNationalRecoveryandActionPlan(2019-2023)(KWS2019) withtheambitionoffulfillingitsmandateregardingmountainbongo;Itfocusesonthepopulationrecovery ofacriticallyendangeredendemicsub-speciesofantelopeintooneofitshistoricalrangesonthe southwesternslopesofMt KenyaForestReserveintheRagati/CheheForest;and;Ahealthymountain bongopopulationatRagati/CheheForestenrichestheexistingbiodiversitywithinMt Kenyasunique mountainforesthabitat
05.Communityendorsementandparticipation 92%of202forest-adjacenthouseholds(103mae;99female)acrossfiveforest-adjacentLocationssupporttheideaofa mountainbongotranslocation;
Annuallarge-scalecommunitymeetingshavebeenheldinthefiveLocationstokeepcitizensabreastofprogramme milestones&developingactivitesincludingopportunitiesfortheirincreasedinvolvement;
•Continuouscollaboration&co-creationwiththeRagatiCommunityForestAssociation(CFA)&theCheheCFA;andwiththe awarenessthatsuccessfulbongopopulationrecoverywillrequirethefuturesupportfromthenextgenerationweassessed conservationknowledgeina300-respondentstudentsurvey&haveestablishedWildlifeNatureConservationClubsin22 forest-adjacentbeneficiaryschools
04WhyRagati/CheheForest?
ThemanareaofnterestisfoundinthesouthwesterncorneroftheMtKenyaNatonalReserve wththeSaganaRivertothewesttheMtKenyaNationalParkboundarytothenorthandthe KringaRvertotheeastThesouthernboundarysdetermnedbytheKenyaForestServce managedcommercacypressandeucalyptusplantatons
ThisforestedsectonoftheMtKenyaNationaParkandNatonaReservehasbeenconfirmedtobe wthnthehstoricarangeofthemountanbongoPrimaryevdencewasestabishedbytheBongo SurveilanceProect(BSP)usngcameratraps(wththeastsightngofanadutfemaebongo recordedntheRagatForestin208)
Thisknowledgehasbeenstrengthenedbylocaecologicaknowledge(LEK)providedbyeght formerbongohunterswhoindcatedtheformerhomerangesofmountainbongoatMtKenya werefoundintheRagat&CheheForestAvegetatonstudyspearheadedin2023byQuentnLuke andateamofquaifiedbotanistsconfrmedthepresenceof325forataxantheRagatiForest ncludng40preferredbongobrowsespeces
MtKenyaNatonaParkandNatonalReservecovers2700km²&containsheathypopuatonsof argemammaspecesofnternatonaconservationnterestincludngeephant(Loxodonta afrcana)leopard(Pantherapardus)gantforesthog(Hylochoerusmeinertzhageni)andthe black-frontedduker(Cephaephusnigrifronshook)
na2021householdsurveyofforest-edgecommunites(popuaton26000peope)99%of nterviewees(99of202)camedtheforestwasmportanttothemforecosystemservices ncludngwaterfrewood&cimatemtgatonTheseresutsndcatethatocactzensare ncentivisedtosafeguardtheforest
06RagatiForestBongoSecuritySite
TheRagatiForestBongoSecuritySitewascompletedandofficiallylaunchedon 15February2024Thesiteprovidesabaseforjointforestsecuritypatrols comprisedofcommunitytrackers&governmentrangersfromKWS&KFSThere aretwocommunitycaretakerspermanentlyonsiteanda4-mancommunity roadmaintenanceteam
magecredtDonna Sheppad
mageced:Patrck Avey
102,102,92500 8,012,52780 11,264,777 00 2,334,22200
123,714,451.80
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