NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 29 – Conservation advocates are calling for increased funding to help communities maintain newly planted trees, warning that inadequate resources could undermine Kenya’s tree-growing efforts.

The Tree Adoption Foundation (TAF) said planting trees is only the first step, with seedlings requiring continued care, water, monitoring and maintenance to survive.

TAF CEO Fannuel Boaz Onyango said large-scale tree-growing programmes need funding for seedlings, transportation, water systems, equipment, personnel and long-term maintenance.

“Planting millions of trees is important but ensuring that they survive requires continued investment and community involvement,” Onyango said.

He said Government agencies, the private sector, communities, development partners and conservation organisations need to work together to sustain tree-growing efforts.

“Government, the private sector, communities, development partners and conservation organizations must work together because climate change and environmental degradation cannot be addressed by one institution alone,” he added.

TAF said prolonged dry seasons have made it harder for newly planted trees to survive, particularly in degraded areas, increasing the need for timely watering and other interventions.

The foundation said it is supporting communities affected by environmental degradation, including the loss of wetlands and water catchment areas, soil erosion and biodiversity loss.

Its activities include tree growing, forest and wetland restoration, water conservation, biodiversity protection, renewable energy, environmental education and sustainable livelihoods.

TAF has carried out conservation activities in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Siaya counties and plans to expand its work to all 47 counties.

The foundation has recorded 3.27 million trees planted through the Jaza Miti national tree-growing platform, ranking 22nd among participating organisations nationally.

The Government aims to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of efforts to increase Kenya’s tree cover and restore degraded landscapes.