Improving Ngong Hills Forest Conservation Efforts through Raising Local Community Awareness of Biodiversity Conservation

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Maintenance and management of urban nature, Urban reforestation, restoration of street trees, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Habitat conservation, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Protection of agroecology approaches (agroforestry & silvopastoral systems), Indigenous and community-based conservation initiatives, Educational and awareness raising programs, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem

To rejuvenate and safeguard the ecological diversity of the Ngong Hills forest through a collaborative approach that engages a wide range of stakeholders To prevent soil erosion and reduce the threat of landslides and flooding (caused by extreme weather events) by preserving the forest's root systems and restoring native plant species through community-managed nurseries To assess ans improve the impact of human activities and climate change on the ecological and socioeconomic aspects of the Ngong Hills Forest, including livestock grazing, conventional agricultural practices To identify and implement effective strategies for raising awareness and building the capacity of local communities and schools in forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience To conduct a survey on community awareness and understanding of forest conservation and climate change. (Ref 2, 3).

The project began by collecting baseline data, including vegetation surveys, land use changes, and community perceptions of biodiversity threats (Ref 2). Restoration efforts in Ngong Hills included: Seedling propagation: Community nurseries produced 9,000 seedlings of indigenous species (Ref 2, 4). Reforestation: Over 9,000 native trees were planted using techniques like Miyawaki to enhance biodiversity, with schools participating in tree planting and education (Ref 2, 3). Invasive species management: Surveys were conducted to assess and address invasive species removal (ibid.). Livestock grazing management was tackled through collaboration with communities, promoting sustainable practices like fodder cultivation and agroforestry (Ref 3). The school-based restoration program engaged schools like Uppah Matasia and Nalepo Primary, resulting in the planting of 300 trees, with students taking responsibility for tree care (Ref 2). To raise awareness, the project provided workshops and training to over 800 locals and 30 trainers, focusing on biodiversity conservation and nursery management. Pre- and post-training surveys tracked participants' knowledge and attitudes (Ref 2, 4). Marginalized groups, including women, youth, and elders, participated in training workshops and capacity-building initiatives, gaining skills in conservation practices, seed collection, and nursery management, while ensuring their voices were heard in decision-making (Ref 2, 3, 4, 5).

Low-income neighborhoods, Other

• National-level government
• Local government/Municipality
• Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
• Non-government organisation/Civil Society
• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
• Young people and children
• Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups , Elderly people, Women, Indigenous communities