Environmental Issues
Poaching in the National Parks close to Somalia and Ethiopia has been increasing in recent years, and the Kenya Wildlife Service may close those parks because of the danger and expense. There has been extensive deforestation for firewood and other uses. Only 3% of Kenya’s original forest remains. There has been extensive cutting of native hardwood species by carvers and carpenters.

Social Issues
In early 2008 Kenya was encompassed by post-election violence, primarily in Western Kenya. The issues have not been resolved, despite the violence ending. Kenyans, understand the importance of planting of tree planting and there are many groups and individuals who want to work with Trees for the Future. There is population pressure on the arable land in Central and Western Kenya.

Our Response
2008 saw a large expansion of the Kenya Program. Many organizations are interested in the program and tree planting. In 2009, Trees for the Future has hired a Kenya Program Coordinator to implement projects throughout Kenya. The Kenya program projects focus on reforesting natural areas and working with local community organizations to provide economic opportunities for rural youths. Trees for the Future distributed 300,000 seeds in 2008.

April 2009
The first trimester for 2009 for the Kenya Program has seen an important transition with the hiring of Paulino Damiano as the Kenya Program Coordinator to oversee and implement tree planting and agroforestry projects throughout Kenya. This transition will allow Trees for the Future to provide more direct supervision and implementation of the ongoing projects in Kenya, which will allow Trees for the Future and its partner organizations to plant more trees in 2009.